What is the best way for someone with a Master's degree to be spending their time at a job that (supposedly) values their education? According to my place of employment, the answer is stuffing envelopes with birthday cards! I spent no less than an hour and a half of my time at work today stuffing envelopes. I spent additional time on a wild goose chase to prove the President wrong, at the request of the Controller and the Human Resources Manager. That could have been fun if I wasn't researching buses. I can smell the exhaust from here!
As I try to remain alert and responsive, I can't help but feeling terribly out of place. Nothing screams "stuck in a rut" like severe under-utilization. I've tried to talk to my boss about development and advancement opportunities, but she is too busy trying to get out from under her job (and responsibilities) that I never get a real response. The latest target date is after mandatory vacation (don't get me started on that one). We'll see.
Until then, I have been researching my own means of career advancement. While I do check the job boards almost daily, I am reluctant to leave the cushy path in front of me. So in the meantime, and at my employer's expense, I plan to return to school. I started my search thinking how easy it would be to get another Master's degree on the company dime. I already have one, and while somewhat challenging the first time around, I don't find the academics daunting for a second one. Honestly, I was thinking how nice and easy it would all be - I get another degree, my company foots the bill, and I'm maybe out a couple grand once tuition reimbursement runs out. I didn't count on what I would stumble into at University of Phoenix.
Doctor of Organizational Leadership - that could definitely be me, well after 3 1/2 years, a dissertation and a heck of a lot of time online, that could definitely be me. Who knew you could even get a PhD online these days! After the initial shock of THAT school offering THAT degree, I did some research on other programs in the country. Turns out, this one is pretty solid. Yes it has very minimal in-class instruction, but a PhD is all about the research anyway, so why not??? Besides, I just moved into a new house (as in the family just purchased a new house for me), so I have no real desire to head out East to Boston University or Clemson to get a degree I can get at home. And quite literally, at home! Clemson sounds cool and all, but Khalil Greene doesn't actually walk the halls anymore, so the attraction fades quickly. And Boston would be cool, and cold, and maybe even colder!
So for now I am still examining my options, but my mind is fairly set. I've always wanted to go after a PhD, just could never figure out in what topic - I think I've picked one now. Oh and certainly not a PhD of Birthday Cards! I'll leave that for the next unsuspecting admin to deal with!
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