Career Choices:
Degrees, Jobs, and Industries

For moms everywhere - working, stay-at-home, or single moms -- every dollar counts, and that can make it difficult to choose a career path, especially when things like college classes and loans for school get in the way. If it's time to change your career, educational opportunities exist, from online colleges to free college grants and scholarships. However, moms should take one step at a time, starting with defining the big picture.

Yes, that means you should make a choice before opening the course catalog or applying for appropriate financial help such as industry-specific scholarships or free single mom grants for school. You don't have to create concrete plans -- life is about being flexible -- but it's important to know generally where you're going and what steps to take.

Create a List of Interests

First off, think about your skills and interests. Your skills can range from industry-specific (e.g. cooking for a food-related job) to general skills (e.g. time management). This can be a starting point. Now take these ideas and research the potential jobs. You can move laterally within an industry over time; if you see several interesting career paths, you can create opportunities to explore them. Don't forget that many industry-specific free college grants and scholarships are available to help you along the way.

Consider the Pros and Cons

Once you have your list, consider each industry's logistics. Is it easy to get a job in the field? Does it pay well? If you're a single mom, will it require long trips and overtime? A checklist of pros/cons can help weigh your options. Moms with special-needs kids may have to review time responsibilities. Single moms may want to maximize earnings for long-term stability, regardless of if loans for school, scholarships, and single mom grants for school covered costs. These are the trade-offs you must consider.

Plan Your Education

With a short-list of possibilities, it's time to look at education. Do you go local or online? Which schools have the best programs? Where can single moms get free college grants and scholarships? Where can stay-at-home moms find the best loans for school? While education is important, it's just the first step. If your preferred program is an inconvenience, try looking at the alternatives. After a few years in industry, your work experience is more valuable than your alma mater's name.

Get Feedback

A list of industries, potential programs, applicable financial support (minority women, working mother, single mom grants for school, etc.); with these set, it's time to discuss it with your family. Ask for their input and see what suggestions they make. It's always good to get a second opinion or outside perspective.

Start Applying

Now let's return to where we started. It's ok to pick up that course catalog and those applications for free college grants and scholarships. Just remember that they're the first step in a larger journey, one that will fulfill your professional dreams and support your family. One of the best ways to kick-start your college education is to register for our $10,000 scholarship. Good luck!