By VICKI SALEMI
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"Many homemakers mistakenly assume the skills they've developed at home aren't valuable in the real world," says Margot Carmichael Lester, author of 'Real Life Guide to Starting Your Career: How to Get the Right Job Right Now!' (Pipeline Press, 1998). "Yet there are examples that disprove that notion (i.e., Martha Stewart, Mrs. Fields)." Margot advises you to outline your competencies by taking a personal inventory. "Examine the skills you execute as a homemaker, whether it's maintaining the family budget, planning volunteer events for your kids' school or creating a new gourmet meal."
Longtime cooking enthusiast and new mom, Jeanaya Thomas made the decision to satisfy her craving for culinary edification by enrolling in the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Greystone campus' baking and pastry certificate program. Having a child was the main prompt for this former businesswoman to follow her own childhood dream. As a child, Jeanaya and her grandmother had an annual tradition of baking homemade biscuits during the holidays, a ritual which lasted through adulthood. She'd work full-time as assistant to the registrar at a private university, handling travel schedules, reconciling the budget and accounts payables/receivables, then spend her weekends baking the very same biscuits and rolling pizza dough. "Just having my hands kneading the dough was an outlet for me," she explains.
When Erin Ontiveros divorced, she too found comfort in whipping up culinary delights for her family. The life change also made her reassess her professional status as a front line manager at the Home Depot, which ultimately lead to her enrollment in the Art Institute of California in San Diego. Erin focuses on baked goods and pastries and enjoys seizing opportunities to involve her daughter in her kitchen assignments
"I think my family gained a few extra pounds this quarter," Erin confesses. "I find myself full of ideas and bake every weekend."
Whether it's cooking or doing something more technical, like electronically managing home finances, your home-based skills can parlay into many professional paths, if you so desire. Just ask Lea Herr, another woman who underwent a complete career makeover after becoming a mommy.
Lea, who considers herself the ultimate e-shopper and e-money manager, combined those characteristics. The result is her exploration of the potentially lucrative field of information technology (IT).
Lea recognized her IT talents when she began computerizing household management items to keep track of inventory like groceries and personal hygiene products; medical records; and home maintenance issues such as fire alarm battery expiration dates.
The educational program she chose -- a master of science program in computer information systems from Regis University, which offers the advanced degree online -- suits her new goals and family/work balance well.
"I want my kids to enjoy challenge and change, not be stressed out," Lea says. Most importantly, she wants to inspire them as they work hard to fulfill their goals. "They are striving toward all As in school [since] I got all As. They can't be beat by their mom," she shares proudly.
Eileen Schneidman and Elise Nappi (pictured above) decided to parlay their CEO roles into cash by defining and then imprinting them. Literally. To illuminate moms' roles as parents, laundresses, social directors, cooks, coaches, mediators, chauffeurs and social directors, their PlanetMom T-shirts.com sells tees featuring lifestyle-approved slogans like "I Need a Play Date," "Nanny Deprived" and "Chicken Nuggets or Pizza?"
"Planet Mom is an extension of motherhood in many ways," explains Eileen. While their sayings resonate with the universal themes of being a mommy manager, they love working from home and simultaneously setting a positive example for their kids. Elise says, "They've learned to put away their own laundry because mommy doesn't have time for that any more!"
In addition to serving as role models to their kids and inspirations to their families and friends, these women also have the upside of cashing in on such transferable strengths by supplementing what they've perfected at home with a degree. "The return on investing and improving yourself is astronomically higher than any financial investment you could make," explains Stacy Francis of Francis Financial and Savvy Ladies, a non-profit organization that provides financial empowerment to women. "From increased lifetime earning power to unimagined opportunities, the returns far outweigh what you could earn in the stock market."
But, what's it like to go from home base back to school, albeit online, at night or on weekends? Is it worth it?
For Lea, analyzing her strengths, weaknesses and thinking of creative solutions isn't much different from what she already does everyday at home. "I'm using the same basic skills I had developed in my prior careers as a therapist, secretary and then as a mom," she explains.
Jeanaya says that getting through the tough task of completing courses in baking math and science, hearth breads, confectionary art and wedding cakes, was easier because of the encouragement of her family. "If I didn't have such strong support, it would be very difficult to complete my studies." And, of course, glimpsing the finish line is always inspiring. When Erin completes her bachelor's degree program, which includes challenging foodless courses like two online classes in accounting and psychology, her sights are set on owning her own pastry shop. For now, however, she is satisfied to devour as much future knowledge as possible and include her family wherever possible. The best part for them, she says, is that they get to reap the rewards of taste-testing her homework.
Whether you're an inner entrepreneur or budding pastry chef, pursuing your passion via continuing education can open up a world of possibilities. And you're not alone, says Jan Jacobson, online academic program director for The Art Institute Online. "Today, students returning to the classroom are the rule -- not the exception."
Here's how to make it work, advises Jacobson:
- Take small steps by enrolling in one class for a semester to assess your speed for learning.
- Get in touch with a current student with a similar background and exchange stories, questions and advice.
- Talk to a college or university's program director about the amount of work they expect from students. It's important you have a realistic picture of the commitment that will be required.
- Enlist your family's support. "No one earns a degree on their lunch hour," Jacobsen advises, "It will take a real time commitment."
- Technology is changing the world we live in -- be it at home, work and school. "Allow those changes to work for you."
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