subject: Have You Put Your Education on the Back Burner? [print this page] Have You Put Your Education on the Back Burner?
It still remains true that learning and gaining knowledge are important to high achievement. Some people have suffered from lack of opportunity, and that category too often includes young mothers. To set a good example for younger generations, it's important to begin by helping those willing mothers get an education. Awarding school grants to eager mothers is one way to improve the landscape of educational opportunities. Started by President Obama in 2009, the grants for mothers are aimed at getting working, stay at home and single mothers to get enrolled in colleges and universities. The program draws funds from the federal Pell Grant allotment and awards as much as $5,000 per person. The $5,000 can go toward paying for tuition and books or for childcare during class hours. With the Grants for Moms program many obstacles to higher education are thankfully taken away. Diversity is an important word as it relates to the list of acceptable majors. There are very few restrictions in place that would prohibit a mother from studying what interests her. Science, industry, arts and literature and history are just some of the areas of interest that many people hope can lead to a fulfilling career. If you are willing to take some chances, you may find success in places you didn't expect. Education is a path that can lead to unexpected places, so it's important to be organized and open-minded. Internet resources are very beneficial to career development. The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a valuable tool for looking into various job aspects. This guide by the US Department of Labor analyzes the current trends of employment in a number of sectors. Based on a ten year period, this guide also makes projections about how each sector and specific careers will develop. Another resource by the Department of Labor is CareerOneStop, and like the OOH it can also provide assumptions about job growth. Often regular search engines can lead to avenues of trusted information. Keeping a close eye on the similarities among the data can help point out clues in employment. A down economy doesn't mean that education should move down as a priority. Preparing during slow times is an important way to ensure that needs are met when thing pick up. The Grants for Mothers initiative can help alleviate a little of the burden that's placed on moms.
