JOIN US IN CLOSING THE ADULT SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND OPPORTUNITIES GAP

In my late thirties, I made an uneducated conjecture [guess] in selecting a career change and re-entered the university to complete my education. In my past were multiple hits and misses to gain economic advantages with a quick certificate or continuing education course. The realization hit me while on a work furlough that I needed to select a career path and develop the full range of skills and education to advance on that path. Information Technology was my career choice; however there were multiple directions I could have taken in the medical, teaching and financial fields. Through uneducated conjecturing I made a decision and stayed with it.

What is "Uneducated Conjecturing"? The act of making a decision based on a hunch and without sufficient proof of a favorable outcome, but having a strong belief whatever the direction it would be positive.

As an adult learner, I developed tools that gave me the courage to take action even when there was not any hard evidence that my choice was the best action to take. The payoff was remarkable!

Through uneducated conjecturing I not only found the perfect career for me but I also developed behaviors to overcome perceived obstacles in both my personal and professional lives.

There is an opportunities gap in our nation that needs to be bridged. Our team is devoted to mentoring adult learners seeking to improve their employability or make a career change. You will find valuable resources for any middle-aged and older adults seeking to complete undergraduate studies or enter into a skills program to advance in a new career field.

The consortium is teaming with like-minded adults to address wage inequality through continuously learning, mentoring and positioning adult learners for the opportunities that are left on the table due to a lag in skills or education in our communities. Join us!

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. –Booker T. Washington


***Mentoring Group Update***
The Genius Tribe participated in the Sister Talk Conference on 10/14 at The Georgia Convention Center. Judge Penny Brown-Reynolds facilitated an inspiring session. Judge Penny emphatically stated, "No one has the right to tell you not to dream!" and then every session in the event provided stories and people and resources to show you how.

Our next monthly meeting will be held in January 2016. Email me if you would like to join.

The Genius Tribe...Women who mean Business!




Thursday, September 10, 2015

Two jobs, two sons and a full course load!


I enrolled in the University while already managing a family as a solo parent. To make ends meet I was already working two jobs, a 9 to 5 on weekdays and one part-time weekend gig. I worked seven days a week and taking time off was not an option for both professional and financial reasons.

My family, work and collegiate commitments carried equal weight. Recently, I plucked up Steven Covey's book from my shelf and re-read it. In his book, centering your life commitments should be our ultimate goal. My focused strategy to meet all of my obligations, to keep all the balls in the air was essential to my success.

Each quarter, I balanced my schedule around my sons' upcoming school events. The boys stepped up to share cleaning and meal preparation, but I had to make sure bills were paid on time, take care of the weekly grocery shopping and any incidentals that came up.

I also planned my course load for the year to complete pre-requisites and maximize the credits needed as a Computer Information Systems candidate. Breaks were spent putting in the quality time at home so our family life flowed as normal when I had to keep my head down to study.

Five years after I entered the university, I marched up to the podium and received my Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems (BBACIS) from the J. Mack Robinson School of Business at Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

Tenacious!

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