Intelligence and hard work are vital components to professional and personal success
. Some people have suffered from lack of opportunity, and that category too often includes young mothers. Helping single and working mothers gain education is one way to help prevent the cycle from repeating. Awarding school grants to eager mothers is one way to improve the landscape of educational opportunities. This federal program was initiated in 2009 as a way to help moms of all types go to school. The money comes from the federal Pell Grant program, and the $5,000 award can be used at schools of all types. With the $5,000 moms can pay for tuition and books or other things like travel costs or childcare. Hopefully this lack of undue restrictions helps moms realize the opportunities available to them. With this grant many women can find a way to study their interests in an academic setting. Courses of study are available in all areas, from English and literature to medicine and science. Whether it's a focus on industry or art, there are many study programs that can provide the education for a steady career. Sometimes unexpected doors are opened, but being prepared means that you'll be ready to step through them. Since no one can predict the future, it's important to prime yourself now. That can begin by taking advantage of the Pell Grant award for moms. Even as you're sitting at home you can gain understanding of career prospects by doing web research. The Occupational Outlook Handbook is one trusted resource. The handbook provides analysis about a job field's recent past as well as current trends and future predictions. The 10-year job projections can help analyze how specific jobs and an industry as a whole will perform in the upcoming years. There is another reputable federal source of job information: CareerOneStop. There are many other reputable websites that can provide good information. Oftentimes there are patterns in the information that is available that can provide hints about what career choices are most viable. Higher education is probably even more important in troubled economic times. Preparing during slow times is an important way to ensure that needs are met when thing pick up. Strong moms deserve chances to help strengthen their families, and education is a great start.