Comments on: Motivational Story: From Dog Walking to Ivy League

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:39:26 +0000

@Greg McFarlane, Not to speak for her, but I don’t think she got into school and said, “I’m finally where I want to be.” I think it’s more about getting the short end of the stick and instead of complaining about it, working hard to get back into school, and improving her position so she doesn’t have to do dog walking later!

By: Greg McFarlane

Greg McFarlane — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:48:25 +0000

Not to be contrarian, but I’m not sure how this constitutes success. You’re incurring more debt by going to school, right? Wasn’t it education without the promise of a job in a relevant field that got you walking dogs in the first place? Unless you’re guaranteed a social worker position once you complete your master’s, how is this progress? Where do you see yourself 2 years from now?

By: Denise

Denise — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:21:38 +0000

Hard work goes a long way! I commend your grind. Gives me motivation to continue with my two jobs and school.

By: Budgeting in the Fun Stuff

Budgeting in the Fun Stuff — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:50:19 +0000

I hope grad school helps you find the path you want to be on for a while! I have yet to find a passion for anything but volunteering and blogging, but my husband is 2 1/2 weeks from getting his Masters in Library Sciences and is already enjoying the job as a lowly volunteer intern this summer and has a full time position lined up for this coming school year. I am so thankful he made the choice to pursue this since he’s 100 times happier than he was when teaching…

Good luck on the rest of your journey!

By: myfinancialobjectives

myfinancialobjectives — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:08:41 +0000

Wow, you cerintly have a story to tell. I recently posted an article entitled: “Everything Happens for a Reason”. You may enjoy it as not being able to get a job may have seemed like the pits, even now. However, look where it landed you! You are in an EXCELLENT school going for your masters. We have all been there, well, most of us, ok at least I was, and believe me, I agree with you, it sucked. I was borrowing money from my parents every month just to make my rent. Finally I got a job and was able to quit my job as a waiter…It built my character however, and I made some good contacts while I was there. My point, everything happens for a reason:) You will see, maybe in a year or 10, that this period of your life had a purpose as well:)

By: Little House

Little House — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:03:27 +0000

I couldn’t agree more with the “never give up” attitude. I graduated many years ago with an anthropology degree as well. It’s not the kind of degree that automatically fills a position in corporate. However, many employers find it a novel idea. In ’95 the job market was better than it is today, however not nearly as good as it was in ’99 and 2000. My anthro degree got me in the door at an entry-level corporate position, but I soon realized I hated corporate! I think the fact that you’re expanding your horizons could open up doors you never thought of. Good luck!

By: leslie

leslie — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:35:00 +0000

I skipped over this at first because the title made it sound like another inspirational story of someone who worked hard as a dog walker to save up enough money to attend an Ivy League school. Interestingly enough, this story is the exact opposite! Very refreshing.

By: Jenna

Jenna — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:34:36 +0000

Congrats on getting into grad school. Seems like everyone is “husslin’” these days. Create resumes and networking is the way to go.

By: kt- lifedividend

kt- lifedividend — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:58:33 +0000

i am just through with college and this story is really eye opening. i have also done jobs like the ones you have mentioned but i am hoping that God blesses my new business so that i can be able to pay bills and be of some use to the people around me. Something that i have come to see that in the real world my academic credentials and past achievements don’t really mean anything. To survive out here, the thing that you need most is God’s grace to shine down on you and Him giving you favor. Like for instance i know of people how do not have college education making so much more than they need. In my books, the only thing that keeps me going is the hope that today God is going to shine down on me. Ask God for help; I believe he has us green new college grads covered. ps; i also put my tissues aside some time back and rolled up my sleeves :)

By: Samurai

Samurai — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:27:44 +0000

Love the honesty! Congrats on getting into Penn! A certainly fine school indeed.

Have you thought about the cost aspect of school and whether there are scholarships and such?