It’s 8p.m. My son is finally in bed, my laptop is open, and I have a discussion post due at midnight. This is the part of graduate school that doesn’t make the brochure. I work full-time and I’m finishing an MBA in project management, and I’m still learning how to make that work. Here’s what has helped so far.
Build your support team at home. I can’t do this alone, and I don’t pretend to. My boyfriend and I split the evening routine. When I have an assignment due, he handles bath time and getting our son ready for bed, and when his schedule is heavy, I step in. Telling him exactly what I need and when has made us a better team. If you’re a student with a family, say what you need out loud, because people can’t help with something they can’t see.
Start with the finish line. My graduation date is May 2027. Everything else, including my certification and my job search, is planned backward from it. When you know your end date, you can tell whether a commitment moves you toward it or just fills your calendar.
Give your degree a companion goal. A degree tells employers what you studied, and a credential shows what you can do. I plan to earn my Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) in early 2027. It needs no work experience, only 23 hours of project management education, so it’s a realistic option while working.
Know your benefits before you need them. Many employers help pay for school, but programs have rules: yearly caps, deadlines, grade requirements, and sometimes a commitment to stay afterward. Read the policy early, because a missed submission date can cost you money you counted on.
Talk to people already doing the job. I’ve spoken with project managers at my company about what the role requires and what experience to build. A short conversation can teach you more than a job posting.
Protect the basics. Sleep, healthy meals, and time with family keep the plan going. I’m still working on sleep, but I treat it as part of the plan instead of an extra.
Graduate school while working is a long game, and no one wins it alone. I’m taking it one step at a time, with a partner beside me and a goal in front of me.
