Catching up on the weekend?

 

I wanted something simple yet hearty for breakfast.  I love shredded wheat!

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One serving isn’t going to cut it with my activity level, so I had about 1.5.

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And I topped it with a bunch of blackberries and 1/2 a banana.  Plus almond milk and OJ.

 

Everything Changes Part II

 

In September, I laid out three confessions to the blog world.

 

  • I had just received a book deal for Operation Beautiful.
  • I had been secretly attending night classes at community college for a few months in hoping of becoming a physical therapist.
  • I was quitting my full-time job as an urban planner to write the book.

 

It was a BIG announcement!  It felt good to lay it all out there.  I was still taking two classes at night, and it was nice to be able to say what I was truly doing in the afternoons (I had to hide it from my employer).

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Once I confessed that I had been hoping to make a career change and become a physical therapist, things really started to happen with the website (speaking engagements and whatnot) and my freelance writing.  Plus, I was writing the book! 

 

I started to feel a little overwhelmed, so I took a hard look at my Fall class schedule and decided to drop a course.  I ended up dropping Physics (thank God!).  I really liked my Anatomy course and ended up with a B!  🙂

 

Around the same time, I got into my top (only) choice for physical therapy school, University of South Carolina.  I was very happy because they only accept 10 or 15 people.  I was going to start in August 2010.

 

Then it came time to sign up for Spring classes.  I needed to take Physics, Chemistry II, and Biology II.  I was really busy with the website and writing, and my publisher told me I’d be doing a book tour in August.  I started to take a long, hard look AGAIN at my career options and the timing of graduate school, and I decided not to take any Spring classes and defer my acceptance until August 2011.

 

Annnnd then I was bitten by the baby bug!  If you follow me on Twitter, you probably know what I’m talking about.  :)  Although the Husband and I are not starting a family anytime soon (we’re talking years), the idea of committing to graduate school for 4 years, $90,000 in student loans, and then re-starting my career at 30 years old did NOT sound appealing to me.  This works for some people but it doesn’t mesh with my current goals for my family.  I am NOT making a judgment on other people’s choices, of course.  Nor is 30 too old to make a career change… it just doesn’t work for me.

 

I’d rather see where my writing career takes me (Book #2!) and continue to support the Operation Beautiful mission.  I believe you have to give opportunities the room to grow, or you’ll never know where your dreams will take you.  At this time last year, I never in one million years imagined that I’d be in this position.  Plus, the Husband needs my support to launch his own acupuncture business this August. 

 

So, that’s the update to my career plans!  🙂

 

What are your goals for your career and family life?  Do they sometimes conflict?

{ 149 comments }

 

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 5, 2010, 8:54 am

    Gosh girl, you’ve had such a busy year or so – you forgot to mention the MARATHON you ran, which must’ve taken up loads of time! You’re so inspirtational 🙂
    My career plans – finish uni (1more year left…), take a year out to work and get experience, then apply for postgrad study (in the US!!!) to do school psychology. I can’t wait for my debt 😛 It’ll be huuuuge!
    Have a great day 🙂
    Oh, and family wise – get a boyfriend, marry boyfriend, no children 😀

    • Becky April 5, 2010, 10:01 am

      Freya, I saw your comment and I am currently in a school psychology graduate program in the US (Madison, WI) – lots of the PhD programs offer funding (part of why I chose to get a PhD rather than a Masters) so there isn’t as much (if any) student loan debt. Feel free to send me an email if you want to chat more about school psych – I’d be happy to share my experience!! rlfellman@gmail.com

      • Liz April 5, 2010, 11:22 am

        Many US schools don’t offer funding for international PHD students 🙁

      • Rachel April 5, 2010, 9:35 pm

        Becky,
        I may email you if that is okay. I just started the application process for a PhD in school pysch and one of my top choices is UW Madison. I would love to know more about their program and your experiences so far!

      • Julie @SavvyEats April 5, 2010, 11:26 pm

        Hi Becky, just saw that you are in Madison…so am I! We have a blogger/reader meetup coming up soon, if you want to be on the email list for it! 🙂

        • Becky April 6, 2010, 7:40 am

          Sure!

  • Joanne April 5, 2010, 9:03 am

    It is so healthy the way you look at your life: past, present, and future. It seems you evaluate every step and make sure you maintain that perfect balance.

    Good going Caitlin on your book, your future goals. Once again you inspire the rest of us.

    As for me – my career is exactly what I dreamed it would be – owning my own company. I’m so lucky. As for family – I never wanted children as my career was most important. There are some regrets now. As for conflicts – never. We are so blessed.

    • Dee April 5, 2010, 10:56 am

      I completely agree with Joanne. You truly inspire me to take a hard look at my life as well. 🙂

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 12:56 pm

      thank you ladies!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) April 5, 2010, 9:03 am

    thanks for the amazing update…apparently i didn’t know that you were taking courses for PT?! i think i started reading after that…anyway, i think what you’re doing with operation beautiful is amazing. you’re going to touch so many more lives with your writing than you could just doing PT, and i would say that’s much more honorable and FUN than working with patients 40 hours a week that don’t want to be there. i’m proud of your decisions – you’re an amazing woman!

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) April 5, 2010, 9:06 am

    I always wanted to be a doctor when I was growing up…but after talking to some physicians and volunteering at some clinics I realized that pharmacy was where I wanted to be if I wanted to have a family. Not only do I provide FREE healthy advice, I can still work part time, bank, AND I can LEAVE my job for months and come back when i want to!

  • Jenn @ LiveWellFitNow April 5, 2010, 9:07 am

    Fabulous update, if I might add!!!! Exciting things and a very exciting time.

    My fiance and I have have a whirlwind of a year together…

    A week after we got engaged, we closed on our first home together. 4 months later I left my full time job in order to start my own wellness & fitness coaching business. I walked away from a job that I had gone through grad school and a grueling certification process to get. And I simply left. I knew I had to change and I knew that my path was a different one.

    So here I am! Working exclusively from home for the first time in a home that we now own, planning a wedding for July and building my own career on my own! Pretty fabulous and scary! Nothing like doing all things at once. But…I’ve NEVER EVER BEEN HAPPIER!!!!

  • Shannon April 5, 2010, 9:07 am

    OMG so exciting. 🙂 As you may remember from our e-mail exchange the other week, I’m a full-time at-home mom to two girls (ages 3 and 5), a non-practicing clinical psychologist (with, yes, still about $45,000 in student loan debt ten years after finishing graduate school at age 29), and a fledgling writer (insanely jealous of your book contract!!!). I can relate to everything you said here!

    I have learned since becoming a mother 6 years ago that once you have children, career and family life will ALWAYS conflict in some way–it’s a matter of getting used to that truth and finding some path that works for you and your family. I have walked away from my psychology career–for now and maybe forever, I don’t know–b/c it does not mesh with my family life right now, taking care of very young children. I am trying to write a book, but I only have 3 hours a week to devote to it (when my younger daughter is in nursery school). I would love to run/train/exercise more, but my children come first. You get the idea!

    Goals and life change considerably once babies arrive—but it’s worth it and it’s wonderful. 🙂 Good luck Caitlin!

  • Stacey April 5, 2010, 9:08 am

    Jas and I have ‘marriage talk’ but he says that it’d be nice to finish school first and then take the next step in our relationship. We are saving for a house already and as of right now, kids are a distant DISTANT thought for us 😀 It feels right with us both being in school, because we are both working to build our future! <—cheeseball

    • Julie @SavvyEats April 5, 2010, 11:46 am

      We are waiting until after we’re both done with school to get married, too. However, we got impatient, and our wedding is only two weeks after I graduate… 😉

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin April 5, 2010, 9:10 am

    I think you do an awesome job combining planning with spontaneity. You have to be proactive to make things happen, but also have to go with the flow a bit and see where things take you! Congrats on everything!

    For me, I’m doing sponsorship sales right now, and while I like the job, I think it would be a good move for me to transition into sponsorship with a health or fitness organization at the end of this year or early next year. While we are the same age, I’ve not yet been bitten with the baby bug, and am not married, so I don’t really have my family goals set yet.

  • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope April 5, 2010, 9:10 am

    They totally seem to conflict because my goal was to always have school finished before having children. I’m 25 now and the bf (of 7 years) will not be done until next May. I just feel like everything is on hold until he graduates and gets his career rolling, too. And then I want to go back to school as well for my nurse practitioner. I feel like i’m trying to squeeze a lot of freakin’ stuff into a 5 year span!!

  • Christina April 5, 2010, 9:12 am

    I love how you were able to quit your job and follow your dreams. Writing a book is so exciting! It’s on my list of things to do before I die 🙂

  • Kristine April 5, 2010, 9:18 am

    I definitely see where you are coming from. It can definitely be tough to balance all of that and take classes on top of it. I am in a demanding graduate program (audiology) like a physical therapy program, and I have always said that you need to KNOW that it is what you want to do with life, because if you don’t you will be miserable. That being said, I also think it is possible to balance it all if it is what you want in life. For example, right now in my program (only 8 of us) we have a 32 year old mom of 3 YOUNG kids. She still manages to balance school and being a mom to 3 youngins. I don’t know how she does it, but she always says how she wants a rewarding career, and this is it, so it is worth it to her! Sooo yea…I don’t know why I felt like sharing that story with you, but I did. Either way, I think you are on a great path! Keep it up! 🙂

    • Caitlin April 5, 2010, 9:24 am

      Yes! I did notean to imply you can’t go to grad school and have kids bc a lot iof people do. It’s just not fore. Especially bc the program is so long. It’s nice to hear it works for others though!

      • Kristine April 5, 2010, 10:22 am

        Yup, I know what you mean! It definitely isn’t for everyone!

  • Hedda April 5, 2010, 9:22 am

    I admire your decision! It seems to be very sensible of you to not start on a new education when you want a family in nearby future. Even though this is a loong time ago (haha, sorry Mum!), my mother made the same decision as you regarding further education. She wanted to pursue other goals, and to have more time with family.

    My goals for career : Get healthy first of all, then go back to uni and finish my social anthropology degree and my degree in Polish language, then get a interesting job. I don’t have a clear picture of exactly which job I hope for, but perhaps a post in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs related to my knowledge of Poland/ Central- Europe(hum, not going to be easy!).
    Family : Find a kind, tolerant, animal-loving, weird man 🙂 Would love to have children, but time will show.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet April 5, 2010, 9:26 am

    You’re so inspiring!

  • Janelle April 5, 2010, 9:27 am

    I struggle with that question every day! It is hard to pursue both (career and family) without feeling like you aren’t giving one of them 100% – and we “type A’s” tend to not deal well when we aren’t giving something our all. My husband and I knew we wanted to start a family – it just happened much sooner than we intended 😉 and looking back, it was one of the best “oops” instanced in my life. I think had we tried to *plan* the perfect time to start having kids, we never would have done it – “after we get a promotion…after we add another bathroom…after we purchase a “family style” car…” I just don’t think we would have ever been in the “perfect” place. Now we’re definately struggling to find the ideal word/family balance, but we’re so happy and thrilled to be on this journey!

  • Heather (runningwithsass.com) April 5, 2010, 9:33 am

    I totally know what you mean. EVeryone asks me why i didn’t go to grad school for teaching…I tried to explain more student loans, more classes, to make very little more money when I don’t even plan on woring full time when I have a child…etc etc. so I agree with you!

  • Diana April 5, 2010, 9:33 am

    Right now I don’t have family plans. I’m single and I’ll probably stay single for a while. So that makes it way easier to work on my career and try to figure out what I want to do with my life. 🙂

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing April 5, 2010, 9:35 am

    I am already pretty established in my career and I suppose now would be the time to start thinking about a family, but I just can’t imagine it right now. I mean, getting a puppy was stressful enough!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday April 5, 2010, 9:36 am

    God, that’s some expensive graduate school!

  • Tina April 5, 2010, 9:36 am

    My career goals will definitely coincide with my family. I left my old job because it was too time consuming when I hadmy daughter and I didnt love it enough. So I am staying at home now…and when I do go back to work I plan to pursue something in the fitness world that will combine a passion with more flexibility for time with my family.

  • Lauren @ Eater not a runner April 5, 2010, 9:36 am

    So awesome that you are doing what feels best for you/your family! I’m starting a new job in a few weeks, and still trying to figure out my long term goals….

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat April 5, 2010, 9:44 am

    I’m about to turn 28 in a month and I’m still not sure what I want to do as far as my career is concerned. I’m still soul searching! But I’m hoping to have it figured out by the time I am 30 and I definitely take my family into consideration — my husband and I don’t have kids yet but hope to sometime soon 😉

  • Andrea (canyoustayfordinner.com) April 5, 2010, 9:49 am

    Caitlin, thanks for the update and for always sharing your beautiful insight with us. You are so wonderful and such a positive role model- I admire your self trust. Great job this weekend at Crooms!!
    Have a wonderful Monday!

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance) April 5, 2010, 9:52 am

    it really is amazing just how much can change in a year — as long as you are making plans with you and your Mister’s furture and interests in mind, you’re going to be one happy camper 😉

  • Jessica @ Jessica Balances April 5, 2010, 9:54 am

    Thanks for the update! 🙂 I definitely understand what you mean when you say “everything changes” – I’ve been going through that lately since I’m about to graduate from college. I admire your willingness to roll with life and adapt and change as you see fit. I also love that new dreams sometimes replace old dreams, and that often, the direction life takes us is so much better than what we “planned” for ourselves.

  • Colleen April 5, 2010, 9:54 am

    This post really hits home for me! Right now I’m trudging through work and school full time (I’ll finish in August of 2011). I’m going for a general business degree…but only because I wanted to have a broad degree that would allow me to do whatever I wanted. I work as an analyst, but it’s definitely not what I want to do for the rest of my life. If I were to follow my heart I would make jewelry and other crafts for people… Oh and then there’s that whole baby thing. Luckily my husband is also in school getting his MBA (he finishes in December, yippee!) so the pressure is off of us for now, but next summer when I finish we’ll both be hitting that big 3-0 birthday, which makes starting a family slightly panic-inducing. *SIGH* Not to mention that my Dad told me the other day that most 30 year olds only have 11% of their eggs left. HAHA, he means well, but I gently told him to stop worrying about my eggs. This comment is all over the place, but I really don’t know what direction my life is going to take after I graduate next summer! I feel obligated age-wise to start a family, but in my head I can’t even grasp that I’m not 23 anymore. I think Michael and I might be “old” parents. 🙂

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 12:58 pm

      haha oh man, thanks dad.

  • Lauren April 5, 2010, 9:56 am

    The physical therapy program is 4 years there?? You need to move to GA!! It’s only 3 years (straight through) and costs a considerably less amount of money! 🙂 I’m starting in June at NGCSU and could not be more excited! Anyhow, you are MUCH more busy gal than myself right now and I have to say you have definitely motivated me to continue to work towards running a half marathon!

  • Matt April 5, 2010, 10:00 am

    Haha I haven’t really thought about starting a family yet… I need to get out of college first.

  • Mama Pea April 5, 2010, 10:01 am

    I completely understand your internal struggles. If anything, I’ve learned that I can plan all I want, but sometimes life/God/the universe has other plans. My goal was to practice law for 5 years or so, have a kid or two and then go right back to practice. After all, I invested so much time, money and effort into becoming a lawyer. I was going to be the woman who had it all. Well, I got pregnant a year into practice, quit, have two kids, NO intention of ever practicing law again and the majority of people in this lovely world know me as a maternal vegetable.

    Yet, somehow, I know this is still the right path, even if it isn’t the one I planned. Thank you for inspiring me and encouraging me to follow my dreams! I know there is so much in store for you (and hopefully me too!).

    • Julie @SavvyEats April 5, 2010, 11:47 am

      Referring to yourself as a “maternal vegetable” is hilarious and awesome 🙂

    • jen April 5, 2010, 3:43 pm

      i really appreciated reading about your experience with work/kids. i am currently in the 1st year of a grad program and have a 4 month old. lately i have really been struggling with whether i should continue school or walk away. since having our daughter my personal goals have changed so much and i have realized how much i want to stay at home with her and our future children while they are small. with that new goal in mind i’m just not sure grad school really makes sense anymore. it’s good to hear about other people’s experiences.

  • Molly @fuelherup April 5, 2010, 10:03 am

    I thought you were about to announce that you were pregnant hahaha!

    Seriously though- I’m considering going into Physical Therapy- but I’m still a freshman in college, so I don’t have anything “established” yet. How exciting about the book! You’re basically a celeb now 😉 … and we all “knew” you way back when!

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 12:59 pm

      i think it would be an awesome career and you BANK!!!

  • Neely April 5, 2010, 10:05 am

    I am not sure I want any spawn, so I don’t worry too much about that.

    I pre-plan for what I can in life, realizing pretty much none of it will go as planned anyway.

    As I have grown older I see now we are never really “done” and are constantly evolving. For me this means leaving room for the “whatever happens, happens” philosophy. I am so different now than five years ago and I am sure five years from now I will look back and think the same thing.

    Along the (somewhat) same vein, last night I watched Sweet Home Alabama on TV and CANNOT BELIEVE that I really liked it when it came out when I was, oh, 22. Constantly changin’ I tell ya. 😉

  • Catherine April 5, 2010, 10:05 am

    My goals absolutely conflict in terms of career and family planning! My fiance is planning to go back to school to get his MBA after our wedding early next year, so that means I’m sort of stuck staying where I am so that I can support him in school. I have been on the fence about leaving my job for culinary school and a MUCH lower paying job as a chef, but we also want to have a baby in a few year, so it just doesn’t seem to be a responsible move because then we’d have no savings. Ultimately family is more important to me, so I’m willing to make that sacrifice. Especially because I am planning to stay home as much as possible once I have children, so I know my fiance’s MBA and future career sort of takes the front seat.

  • Gracie @ Girl Meets Health April 5, 2010, 10:08 am

    It sounds like you made a smart decision…especially considering how much your future already seems to hold! And it’s never too late to go back to school, so that can still remain an option. You’re on such a roll with the freelance writing and Operation Beautiful book coming out soon, why mess with a good thing?!

    I was so excited to learn that your hubby practices acupuncture! I’ve never had acupuncture myself, but I’m a huge believer in it. I *have* had acupressure, which is based on the same principles but uses human touch instead of needles. I can honestly say that the acupressure was a life-changing experience for me! I’m so interested in holistic medicine/remedies as a whole. You should have the husband do a guest post one of these days!

    • Julie @SavvyEats April 5, 2010, 11:48 am

      Needles terrify me, but acuPRESSURE sounds awesome. Or maybe I just need to get over the needles thing for acupuncture?

      • caitlin April 5, 2010, 12:59 pm

        i promise needles arent that scary. they arent like getting shots – you cant even feel it!

  • Tara April 5, 2010, 10:08 am

    amazing how life has ways of working itself out, huh? I can totally relate – I’m excited to start a family in a few years so I don’t want to rock the boat too much with my career, but at the same time I’ve been wanting a change for a while. You never know where life will bring you! Someone told me once that all you need to do is “do the next right thing” and it sounds like you’re doing just that!

  • Colleen April 5, 2010, 10:16 am

    Oh, and I was with my 1-year old nephew this weekend and he was totally tugging at my heartstrings. I would really love for my paycheck to be in hugs and kisses from my babies (SAHM preferably!)! My husband is a planner, so at least I’ve got him to keep me grounded…and hopefully I can follow my heart a little more (and encourage him to do the same) after this school nonsense is finished.

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg April 5, 2010, 10:29 am

    Sounds like you made the right decision– you’re in a completely different place now than you were a year ago (or even six months ago!).

    Baby bug– I’ve got it. 🙂

  • Angi April 5, 2010, 10:30 am

    Wow. You are busy busy busy!

    Right now, I’m in for finishing university. (Yay for applied health in recreation and leisure.) Getting a job for a little while. Getting married to my girlfriend, and then settling down. (We need to figure out where we want to live.)

    We are also working towards a family owned business – a tattoo parlour. So, yeah. A lot of stuff that needs to be done in the meantime.

  • Julie April 5, 2010, 10:34 am

    I have definitely struggled with school vs. life and relationships. I am 26 (27 next month) and will be starting a doctoral program this fall in clinical health psychology. I’m soooo pumped, but also know that I won’t be graduating until I’m 31. That’s old. LOL, no just kidding….but it is older for just beginning a career, ya know. And all those loans. Sigh. I don’t have a bf now, so that’s not really an issue. And I also struggle with kids and if I want them or not. Sometimes when I’m doing mobile crisis, a client will ask me if I’m married or if I have kids. I always say, ‘I don’t know’ to the kids question..b/c honestly, I don’t! Ehh, life is complicated and takes many turns…..but you totally know that, don’t ya? 🙂

    • Julie April 5, 2010, 10:37 am

      I meant to say, clients will ask me if I WANT kids, not have them….I think I would know if I have them!

  • Jessica April 5, 2010, 10:39 am

    Cat,
    you have to go where you heart leads you. Only you know what is best for you. I think that you are making the best choice for you and doors will open for you everywhere you go…

    I cant wait for your book, DID i make the cut??? ha 🙂

    GOOD for you following your heart.

  • Angela @ A Healthy Fit April 5, 2010, 10:41 am

    It’s crazy how life can throw curveballs into our plans! Good for you for knowing you can’t do it ALL and focusing on what is making you and so many people out there happy. Can’t wait for your Book #1!!

  • Amy @ Running in Pink April 5, 2010, 10:41 am

    You have worked so hard on creating Operational Beautiful and working on your writing, so if i were you i would definately have opted to do the book tour (can this tour be extended to the UK? LOL) I just checked Amazon UK and your book can be pre-ordered over here – how exciting!

    You will do amazing whatever path you take x

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 1:01 pm

      thank you soooooooooo much!

  • Kim B April 5, 2010, 10:46 am

    I’m trying to fit my new healthy lifestyle into my already super hectic one – 2 kids, going to school part time to either become a nurse or a PA (I’m taking anatomy and physiology right now actually – a B is a hard core grade for this class!), and being a wife. It’s a lot, and it’s going to take me many years, but I feel like I’m moving in the right direction. Physics terrifies me!

  • Nancy April 5, 2010, 10:48 am

    Caitlyn,
    Good for you! Having a plan is great but you have to follow your heart. I’ve transitioned several times, from the business world to fulltime motherhood to part-time school to part-time work combined with fulltime motherhood. I still have the same ultimate goal I’ve had for 25 years: to eventually go to nursing school. That season will come at the right time in my life. In the meantime I have LOVED each and every season I’ve had, especially those years I was full time at home with my family. NOTHING was more important to me than that. I am happy in my current career choice (massage therapist with a special interest in cancer patients) but know I still have my ultimate goal in front of me. Supporting your husband as he begins his new career path is huge. You consistently demonstrate wisdom and maturity way beyond your years (I can say that because I’m 20 years older than you!) and I think you are doing exactly the right thing for exactly the right reasons.

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 1:02 pm

      thank you nancy! i definitely have my ambitions, but i know that his practice is what will likely make us money when we start raising children… supporting your spouse is so important! i know because he supports me too!

  • skinnyrunner April 5, 2010, 10:56 am

    good for you to have the foresight to think carefully about the future and all the implications of each decision.

  • Beth April 5, 2010, 11:09 am

    I just hope you know how truly lucky you are 🙂 My boyf and I struggle every day since he has been unemployed for over a year living in Oregon with the second highest unemployment rate (even people with tons of education and expereince can only get jobs at starbucks!!) only picking up side jobs for minimum wage. I have a master’s degree and am the “bread winner” and thank God for that, but what we wouldn’t give for all the opportunity the two of you have. Good luck to you both!

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 11:14 am

      i feel very blessed 🙂 but hard work pays off, too! trust me, it’s not all luck. i hope your man finds a good job soon…. i bet he will!

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers April 5, 2010, 11:11 am

    I LOVE how everything can change so quickly (as long as it’s good!)…it’s a great thing to remember when you’re having a bad day- tomorrow could be entirely different!
    When I was in school, all I wanted was to be successful at my career. Now that I’ve been working and am married, I think more about how working & family can mesh- now it’s a goal for me to have a job that allows me enough time to spend with family too- something I never thought I’d say.

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit April 5, 2010, 11:14 am

    Impressive decision-making and life-planning 🙂
    My goals and plans conflict, and I think that is happening to many young women these days. I am starting to think about having kids, but I don’t know how that will work with my dreams of having a career, too. I don’t want my kids to grow up in daycare. But I want to get my master’s, and then DO something with it! Right now I am not making any big decisions 🙂

  • kalli@fitandfortysomething April 5, 2010, 11:19 am

    very well thought out! how great that you have such wonderful options…….you are living a great life Caitlin 🙂

  • jessica g April 5, 2010, 11:19 am

    i’m so excited for you and everything you’ve done this past year.. i’ve already pre-ordered your book. congrats on all you’ve done!

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 1:03 pm

      THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

  • Allison April 5, 2010, 11:22 am

    I have a Ph.D. and I now have kids. I personally, could not have done them at the same time. They are both very life consuming. I was lucky enough to have a few years between finishing up the PhD (fully funded so, no student loans)so that when I had my kids I could step back a little from my job and be there for them. It is definitely a balance.

  • Jami April 5, 2010, 11:23 am

    Caitlin – I recently started following your blog and I love it. As soon as I saw something about running with ‘bad’ knees I knew this was the blog for me. Also we have some things in common – I lived in Orlando and worked at UCF which I see some of in your pictures. I currently am in Columbia working at the Univ. of South Carolina – I was so excited when I read you might be coming here but totally agree with your decision. Keep up the great posts!

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 1:03 pm

      yay we have a lot in common!

  • Nicole, RD April 5, 2010, 11:24 am

    I always tell my husband that if I hadn’t met him, I would be in med school. While that’s still a “dream”, a family is so much more important in the long-term. I’m in the medical field and I’m happy, so I can’t be too picky. I do want to become a part-time writer and part-time dietitian over the years. I love being a dietitian, but my true passion is writing. We’ll see!!

  • Liz April 5, 2010, 11:27 am

    A year ago my husband and I had to make the decision: his career or mine. It was a hard time for us b/c neither of us were really in love with the career paths we had chosen (I was applying to med school, he was applying to law school). I decided to forgo med school and we moved away from our families to a big, scary city. Things worked out so well! He LOVES law school and I have found something I am equally passionate about and am pursing that career. I feel so blessed!

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 1:04 pm

      im glad it worked for you! yay for spousal support.

  • Cara April 5, 2010, 11:34 am

    You are quite the inspiration. I love that you think through all your decisions and look like you make the best ones for you. Yay. 🙂

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 5, 2010, 11:45 am

    I work part time in my church’s childcare, if and when I get pregnant I can bring my child with me, so it’s actually perfect for me.

    My husband and I have been trying for over three years, so I have no idea if I will actually get pregnant one day, but it is certainly what I want!

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 1:04 pm

      i hope you get pregnant soon!

    • Saima April 5, 2010, 7:02 pm

      Good Luck Amber!!

    • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 6, 2010, 10:38 am

      thanks!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) April 5, 2010, 11:45 am

    Wow what a year! I think it sounds good that you’re giving Operation Beautiful more time and room to flourish. You never know how BIG it could get! 🙂

  • Julie @SavvyEats April 5, 2010, 11:50 am

    Every time I start to freak out about what I am going to do after graduation, I read HTP and OSG for inspiration from two of my fave bloggers to do what is best for me. Sounds like you made the right decision!

  • Samantha April 5, 2010, 11:50 am

    You’re an inspiration!

  • Lauren @ Running Examiner April 5, 2010, 11:50 am

    My career/life plans definitely conflict at times. I graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing about three years ago, and immediately began a high-profile corporate communications job at a sustainable design firm. (I’m still currently at this firm). While I will always LOVE writing and maintain my own fiction-based side projects, my career interests have really begunt to evolve over the past year. As a result, I began looking into other graduate programs centered on women’s health and wellness. Things progressed from there, and I’m happy to say that I’ll be back in school next spring, studying women’s health! My ultimate goal is to work with women of all backgrounds and lifestyles, empowering them through a combination of exercise, nutrition, and journaling to achieve their goals for holistic wellness.

    In any event, my back-to-school plans will take me from NYC to Florida–a big move! My boyfriend is a native Floridian, so he’s pretty excited about the move 🙂 Once I graduate and begin a career that is more in line with my current interests, I’ll probably begin to think more deeply about my family plans…I’d like to have a baby at some point! I’m 27 now, though, so I do have a few years to consider things! 🙂

  • Lauren @ Running Examiner April 5, 2010, 11:51 am

    Oh, and congratulations on your upcoming book tour–how fun is that?!? What an exciting time!

  • Therese April 5, 2010, 11:57 am

    I hear you! I just decided to go back to school and finally finish my psychology degree and it has been a struggle to balance that, a full time job, my boyfriend, family and friends! The idea of grad school right now freaks me out a bit because my boyfriend and I are both wanting to get married and have kids over the next few years. I’d like to think I can go to grad school and have kids as well but we’ll see what happens! Regardless of where my life leads I know it’ll be where it needs to go! Congrats on figuring out what works for you before you get overwhelmed with everything!

  • Catherine April 5, 2010, 12:10 pm

    The decision to change your career plans isn’t an easy one. I’m doing the same thing right now. I graduated on time with my Bachelor’s in Social Work and realized afterwards that it wasn’t what I wanted to do. I went back to school a year ago (at age 24) for Molecular Biology. I know – drastic change! It was weird seeing all my college friends in the second or third year of their careers as I became a college student again, but you have to do what makes you happy. Working comprises such a huge part of life, so it’s important to enjoy what you do.

    I have a long term boyfriend, but I don’t really factor marriage and children into my future at this point. Maybe when I hit 30, I’ll go through a biological clock crisis and start thinking about it 🙂

  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion April 5, 2010, 12:10 pm

    Wow! Things do change fast huh? That’s great for you. I totally agree with giving opportunities room to grow!!! PS I love the new picture of you on the top left of your blog!

  • Nicci April 5, 2010, 12:11 pm

    Never too late to change, follow your heart in whatever you do. After spending some many years in school for nursing, I realized I did not have the passion for it; so I changed my major to Business. I’m happy now with my career change.

  • Sarah April 5, 2010, 12:20 pm

    I totally agree with you about giving opportunities time to grow, because it’s the only sure-fire way of not having any regrets later on. You can always go back to physical therapy later on if it’s still what you want. In fact, the fact that you feel that you can leave it is indicative enough of the fact that it’s not what you want to do now.

    Personally, I have no goals at the moment. I’m kind of at a cross-roads in life, but there aren’t any signs up! 🙁 I feel like I’m drifting along… so I’m just taking advantage of not being tied to any one path.

  • eliza April 5, 2010, 12:38 pm

    When you run, do you stop and take breaks? Ive noticed whenever I run my ankles are always super sore!! It usually makes me not want to run again..so I’ll go on a hiatus, then start up again a few weeks later and be back at square one. Any advice? Or know anyone I should ask??

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 1:05 pm

      you might need new or better fitting shoes – you should go to a running specialty store and get properly fitted!

  • Shannon April 5, 2010, 12:48 pm

    It’s so healthy of you to take a step back and re-evaluate – good for you! My situation is similar to yours… I have been taking courses to pursue my passion (speech pathology) while keeping it a secret from my current employer (accounting). I have also considered deferring or just forgetting about grad school. These decisions are so hard! I feel like I can have to of the three – kids, a house, and/or grad school. One night my husband created a 10 year budget, which helped qualm our fears a bit, but I still wonder if I’m making the right decision (in quitting my well-paying job to go back to school for a not-so-well paying job). Thank you for sharing your journey with us Caitlin – you are so real & inspirational!

    • Saima April 5, 2010, 7:08 pm

      Shannon I did my undergrad in biology in Canada….am currently doing my master’s in Speech-language PAth in the US! i’ll be done with my course work in a month!! *sigh of relief* and will just have 4 months of extern remaining!! really excited….will tell you its difficult to change careers/move to a new place….the last 2 years have flown by!! its been pretty awesome! Good Luck to you!!

  • JenRD April 5, 2010, 12:49 pm

    Thank you again for sharing such a balanced approach–to your food and your life! I firmly believe that our professional and personal life should be viewed as something that is fluid and flexible, always evolving, rather than a rigid, straight path that was pre-determined. What is right for us at one point in our life may not be right for us at another point. We also learn from all of our experiences, even if not in the way we intended. For example, I know plenty of lawers who do not practice law, but probably would not have gotten to where they are today if they had not gone to law school.
    Anyway, good luck on this exciting path in your life, and enjoy it (I know you are!). 🙂
    Jen

  • Shannon April 5, 2010, 12:49 pm

    ps – tell your publisher to send you to DC for your book tour! heehee

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 1:06 pm

      hehe i will!

      • jessica g April 5, 2010, 3:31 pm

        let me know if you come to detroit!! i realize you will probably post the schedule on ze’ blog

      • Carrie H April 5, 2010, 3:49 pm

        Any chance you’re coming West? Like to Denver? I’m pretty sure already that you won’t be coming to Wyoming, lol.

  • katherine April 5, 2010, 12:50 pm

    So glad you’re listening to your heart! Only you know what is right for you and I wish you all the best!!

  • Kelly April 5, 2010, 12:53 pm

    What a crazy year you’ve had. Good for you though, realizing that taking on too many things might not be for the best, plus you and husband will make really cute babies, and none of us want to have to wait that long to see!

  • Britt @ Runnerbelle April 5, 2010, 12:57 pm

    I’m trying to get my act together and really put the time & effort into making some changes with my career. I know nothing is going to fall in my lap, its just taking that leap of faith….. and hoping my mortgage and everything else will still be covered. Although, happiness is most important, the house can always be sold.

  • Ellen April 5, 2010, 1:00 pm

    Oh wow, I could go on FOREVER about this subject! I lost my job last year and have been blogging and freelancing since. I have never been so uncertain about my career and my future in my LIFE. Working in the magazine industry is what I moved to NYC to do and it’s all I’ve been doing for the past five years. But now, I’m wondering about making a switch to something else. I have NO idea what that would be though. I’m 29 and STILL figuring things out. It’s quite stressful, but I’d rather take the time to really investigate what will make me happy and fulfilled instead of just being complacent. Every day is a new adventure–for better or worse, but at least I’m LIVING I guess!

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Caroline April 5, 2010, 1:02 pm

    Ohhh girl I feel ya! I’m a premed student who is debating whether or not med school is right for my future. I can’t see myself being anything except a doctor, but I feel like I’ll never be able to be the best dr I can be since I want to be a mom so bad too! I totally understand what you mean about everything! Especially since I won’t be able to really start my career until I’m about 30 either. …. and ps I used that same physics book haha

  • kate April 5, 2010, 1:12 pm

    I started graduate school right after my husband and I married, so I made dang sure there wouldn’t be a surprise baby on the way. (If I stopped grad school in the middle of the two year program I would have to restart the whole thing at a later date.) Two years later I still feel I’m not ready for a baby. I have personal issues I would like to clear up before I even start thinking about babies and my husband and I really do not like where we are living.

    So right now the fur baby is enough to keep my happy.

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 5, 2010, 1:23 pm

    Having a plan is great but you have to make sure your plan fits with your life.

    Hunni and I want to adopt in the next year or two. So for now that means delaying grad school (work will pay) so that we can focus on all the paperwork that goes into that and have time to spend with a new child instead of investing the next 4 years to get my M.Div.

    It wasn’t exactly my plan (I wanted to start grad school immediately after seminary). But I’m satisfied that it is a decision we made together.

  • Lexie April 5, 2010, 1:36 pm

    Sooo speaking of book, I put a certain pitt news in the mail for you today! Yay!

    Also, completely random, but I know how much you like the music from the phantom of the opera, and my sister just downloaded a rave/techno remix of phantom of the opera and it’s AWESOME to run to. Check it out!

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 1:37 pm

      THANK YOU!

      what’s the name of the songs?

      • Lexie April 5, 2010, 2:03 pm

        Rave/techno remix phantom of the opera by Nightwish. At least that’s what is says. It may or may not have been illegally downloaded with Aquisition. Haha

  • Helen April 5, 2010, 1:39 pm

    It’s always good to take a step back and consider your life. Its something I need to do actually. After finishing uni in 2008 I started a job as a receptionist, then in Nov 09 was promoted to a project manager in the company. I do love it but I feel as if I’ve just fallen into the role. I know I need to take a good look at my life and work out what I want to do / be. I do want to have a family someday so need to get my life in order before I’m 30 (7 yrs left) I really hope your book writing career takes off. You are such a great ambassador for a positive body image.

  • Kandi April 5, 2010, 1:44 pm

    I am very encouraged by your writing career. I write in my spare time and on blogs, etc. I want to START a freelance writing career, you know, start putting my writing out there and see where it leads me. This is just another “ping” that lets me see anything is possible if you put your mind to it! Good luck!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing April 5, 2010, 1:45 pm

    I believe you have to give opportunities the room to grow, or you’ll never know where your dreams will take you. <- LOVE that, so very true!
    I think that Operation Beautiful will take you very far. It's crazy what blogging can do for you!
    I am going to be graduating (FINALLY) next December with an Associate's in Arts after 4 1/2 years of college and switching majors 3 times. Then I'll be going to culinary school and graduating from there when I'm about 25/26? It's much later than I thought I'd be done with school. And I always thought i'd be married or engaged by now (I'm 23) but I've realized that everything doesn't always work out the way you plan.

  • Erin April 5, 2010, 1:54 pm

    How exciting! I am a long-time reader, but this is my first comment. Your post is a little serendipitous for me because I am in the midst of my own thoughts about changing careers and following my dreams. I just wanted to congratulate you. Your success and your lifestyle are inspiring!

    • caitlin April 5, 2010, 1:55 pm

      thank you for following my blog and good luck with your dreams!

  • Joanie @RunningTeachingEating.blogspot.com April 5, 2010, 2:07 pm

    Caitlin-
    I commend you for making the tough choices you have made! My husband and I are in the process of figuring out our plan for the next 2 years. We are both almost 30 and have been married almost a year. We both want kids NOW but we both want to travel too. We didn’t expect the baby bug to hit as soon and as hard as it has. We have decided to have a baby soon and then take a trip ever year, just the two of us. That way, we can have our cake and eat it too!!

    We just have to stick to the commitment to actually travel…thankfully we have families that would love to help out with childcare.

    I was watching Grey’s Anatomy last night. One of the doctors wants a baby and the whole episode was about her wanting this baby and when is the right time to have a baby?

    I have been told by many parents that there is NEVER a GOOD time to have a baby. But if you want one, you should have one. If you keep putting it off, it will never happen.

    So good luck with those big choices! Can’t wait to read about it when you do decide to have a baby!!

  • bobbie@mymamaruns.com April 5, 2010, 2:21 pm

    It’s funny sometimes how life can lead you in a different direction than you intended to go. Those are the time when I feel I can see God working in my life. But, to answer your question, right now I am staying home with my girls and have left the career world. In my former life I was a social worker. I don’t know where life is going to lead me once all my girls are in school and Im looking to go back to work. I do know, however, that I don’t want it to be in Social work any longer. I really thinking I’m leaning toward doing something involving nutrition. I have such a passion for learning how to eat healthy and BE healthy. Anyway, only time will tell but family life definitely sidetracks career paths at time. Take it from this experienced old woman 😉
    I think it’s awesome that you are writing a book and will have a book tour! That ROCKS! Keep it up Caitlin!

  • Emily April 5, 2010, 2:26 pm

    Ugh, my career plans and family plans have done NOTHING but conflict! I’m finishing up graduate school and starting at a big four accounting firm as a tax accountant in July. The job is great–highly prestigious, pays well. But I’m also getting married in December, and our first nephew arrived a few months ago…and we were both bitten by the baby bug! But 100-hour work weeks + babies is not my idea of fun. Obviously, though, family comes first. We’ll just have to wait and see where my career goes!

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! April 5, 2010, 2:44 pm

    You will find as you move forward in life that it is (at least in my opinion) always best to think of your Family 1st as you did…….that in the long run you will be happiest that way!!! That of course doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a career of your own or goals of your own, YOU SHOULD but now that you are married and the fact that you do want a family in the future you have to think of that 1st before yourself (which you did)…..it can be hard to do that but again in the long run you will be happier that you did!

    CONGRATS on you decision! =)

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! April 5, 2010, 2:44 pm

    P.S. I was wondering about Grad School too since you hadn’t been talking about it…..thak you for the update!

  • Brittney April 5, 2010, 3:19 pm

    Hey, I just pre-orderd your book, I went to the operation beautiful website looking for your tour dates and cities, Im hoping you come to Seattle!

    • Caitlin April 5, 2010, 3:20 pm

      I loooove you!

      Hope I come to Seattle, too! The tour isn’t even close to being finalized yet though!

  • Judy (cookbook maven) April 5, 2010, 3:31 pm

    It’s a good question, and one that I don’t really know the answer to (and I’m 48).

    I worked for years, outside the home, inside the home (a home business). Oddly enough when we got our first dog, due to circumstances, I stopped working.

    I think my husband thought I’d be starting another business soon . . . but it’s almost 5 years later (and we’ve moved 2000 miles) and I’m still not working.

    I am actually content not working, but he doesn’t seem content with it. And I do miss having the money for the little extras.

    No kids, only furkids. Just never wanted them.

    • Caitlin April 5, 2010, 3:38 pm

      furkids are pretty epic!

  • Meredith @ Sweat Every Day April 5, 2010, 3:52 pm

    I had pretty much given up my dreams on attending grad school for my phd in hispanic lit and was making alternate plans, but THIS MORNING I was taken off the waitlist and was given an amazing offer by my DREAM SCHOOL. So as of 11am this morning, I’m packing up and moving to TEXAS, a state I’ve never even visited! Between now and July I’ve got to figure out a lot of things, mainly housing, but I’m so excited!

    • Caitlin April 5, 2010, 3:57 pm

      wooo hooo epic!

  • Samantha April 5, 2010, 5:16 pm

    My career took a back seat to family sine I married a Navy guy. I started a second opportunity which turned into owning my own graphics design business. I can run that from home, be here with my boys, but still contribute. It’s ultimately not what I WANT to do long term, but my husband will retire from the Navy when we’re both 39 most likely. There’s plenty of time for other opportunities. I’ll be begin looking closer once both my kids are in school full time.

    I commend you on making the decision that is best for you, not what you “think you should do.” Speaking of USC, my oldest niece was just accepted there in the fall!

  • Ali April 5, 2010, 5:52 pm

    My career and family plan definitely are conflicting at the moment. I went back to school in August 2008 to get my J.D., and have since decided to stay an extra semester and get my Masters in Taxation as well as my law degree. I always thought I’d be open to relocation after I graduated so that I could get the best job available. However, I started dating my boyfriend about a year ago, and he can’t relocate. I know I’m going to be forced to make a decision about leaving or staying soon, and I really don’t want to!

  • Wendy April 5, 2010, 6:21 pm

    I think you have made some very wise and well-thought-out decisions concerning your career and family. And it’s great that you know how to be flexible and and when to say no! You never know where life will lead you, what opportunities will present themselves, and what your priorities will be in 5, 10, or 50 years!

    I have a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Sciences (dairy cows). I got married during grad school, then my hubby and I moved to Georgia for a year to work. Then we moved back to our home state (MO) to work on my family’s farm. I got pregnant with my first baby in June of that year (I was 27 when she was born). I worked part-time for the farm, and had my second baby two years later. Now I am 32 years old and getting ready to embark on a major career change – I hope to be teaching HS science this fall! I had no idea this is where my life would lead, but then again, when I finished high school (and college for that matter), I really had no preconceived ideas about where my life should/would go. I just count my blessings everyday and try to not think about what coulda-shoulda-woulda been. No regrets!

  • Susan April 5, 2010, 7:00 pm

    I think you definitely have to embrace opportunity when it arises. You don’t want to be left wondering “what if” later in life, especially when writing a book was one of your dreams! Life is long, you can always go back to school after you start a family. My mom didn’t work when me and my sisters were young, then she went back for her third degree when I was in kindergarten. I always looked up to her for that, and it allowed me to remember that I don’t have to rush into anything if the timing isn’t right.

  • Katie April 5, 2010, 7:13 pm

    HI Caitlin! I am recently going through something similar. I am a 25 year old graphic/multimedia designer and I have recently gone back to school (while working full time) for small business entrepreneurship and I am starting to wonder if I can really own my own business if my husband and I are planning on starting a family in a few years. I have decided to just scale back the size of business I hope to own. It will need to be more small scale to fit into my life. I figure that is ok. Things will turn out the way they are supposed to. I have just recently started following your blog and I really enjoy it! I found your blog when I was looking at Oh She Glows. I love your story! How inspirational! Good luck with everything!!!
    -KATIE
    http://www.outoftheblueinspiration.blogspot.com/

  • Penny (Wannabe VEGGIEtarian) April 5, 2010, 7:30 pm

    I am so excited about your book. I have been following your blog for awhile now, and I am so into your mission with Operation Beautiful. It will be a great book and I can’t wait to buy my copy. 🙂

    • Caitlin April 5, 2010, 7:36 pm

      THANK YOU!

    • Caitlin April 5, 2010, 7:36 pm

      THANK YOU! I really appreciate that.

  • Kath April 5, 2010, 9:07 pm

    I bought that cereal recently too!! It has the best ingredient list of all the Kashis and I had a coupon!

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place April 5, 2010, 9:31 pm

    I’m actually going through the exact same thing right now! I have been giving a lot of thought into starting a PTA or PT program, but I don’t know if I can dedicate the time to that anymore. I’m getting married in 5 weeks, and I’m 26 years old. by the time I graduate I’ll be 29ish, and starting out a brand new career. I’d always pictured myself with a baby by that time in my life, but that would obviously have to be on hold while I’m in school. Tough choices!!!!!

  • Candice April 5, 2010, 10:23 pm

    What a timely post. I am going through some of the same decisions right now. I am currently a high school English teacher, but I have realized without a doubt that I am not passionate about teaching English. I am passionate about writing, health and fitness. I’ve considered going back to school to get my masters in Nutrition, but I feel the exact same way you do – I don’t want to commit to something so long term and costly. I’ve been married for almost four years and I’m 26 years old. I’m startin’ to get that baby bug too!

    So, I’m at that moment of decision and I’m leaning toward quitting my job in the next month and getting certified as a nutrition and wellness consultant through AFPA. I’m searching for a job in the health/fitness field right now, which is tough because I have an English Education degree. I’m hoping and praying that the AFPA certification will be enough . I have a couple of meetings set up this week to talk to someone at the wellness center of the university in our city. I’m hoping it’ll be a great lead!

    I love reading your blog because you give me hope that dreams are attainable. I just keep telling myself that if I pursue what I’m passionate about and what I dream about, then I’ll get there. Thanks for inspiring me to go for it:)

    Sorry for writing a novel in your comments!

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 6:29 am

      you’ll get to your dreams!!! i promise 🙂

  • Cindi April 5, 2010, 11:03 pm

    I can’t wait for your husband’s new biz to open up in Charlotte! I’ve always wanted to try acupuncture, but always way too chicken!

    Now back to your question……I recently started a new job at a university where I could get my MBA for free! FREE!!! However, I just turned 31, am getting married in June and we want to have kids pretty quickly (we’ve been together for 6 years, known each other for 10 – so no need to wait around for anything…..) – anyway, so now I’m thinking I’d be stupid to not get a free MBA – but I also want babies!!! And I don’t want to start and get half way through and have to quit (our plan right now is for me to be home the first years of our childrens lives…..and work part time on my photography business) – so you see? Dilemma!!! So I can definitely relate……it’s so hard to be us, isn’t it? 😉

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 6:28 am

      do you want to be my friend when we move?:)

      • Cindi April 6, 2010, 7:19 am

        Duh! 🙂

        • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 7:20 am

          you think im joking but im not LOL

        • Cindi April 6, 2010, 7:22 am

          I’m not either! Just don’t live too far up north – I’m not friends with Charlotte north siders. haha.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 6, 2010, 12:27 am

    I currently work as a grade 7/8 teacher, but I also have an honours degree in Psychology and plan to move in to guidance counseling as soon as possible. Then when I am done grad school, I want to be a psychologist. I hope to have kids in the next 2 years.

  • Katie April 6, 2010, 2:01 pm

    I don’t know if my family vs. career goals conflict per say…but my husband’s career goals kind of limit our family goals. We are making a big move in August and I will be the primary supporter for our family…for an undeterminded amount of time. I want to start a family soonish (2-3 years) and I’d also like to become foster parents maybe sooner than that but I don’t want to be working full-time when we do (although I know it can be done, I don’t want to do it) so it really just depends on him…

  • Jes April 18, 2010, 9:22 am

    I got my BS in forensic science, and really wanted to go for the chemistry PhD, but I did not feel I was start enough at the time. I went for my MS in forensic science instead. While nearing the end of that degree, I met my boyfriend Chris. Things were going very well, and he has a great job locally, so when it came time for graduation and applying for jobs I suddenly no longer wanted to move out of the state like I had claimed I really wanted to do.

    Then I was stuck trying to find a local job, but everything seemed so boring and not very challenging. That was when my adviser convinced me to go for my PhD in chemistry. I was able to get funding through the school for most of it and they pay me to work part time. Even though this year I have officially been in college for 10 years, I know that it is where I am meant to be. I am so happy to be going for the degree I want, and I have the love of my life in my life every day. I could not ask for more.

    I sometimes get crap from people saying, “Aren’t you going to get a job?” but I have one, and I LOVE it. I may not have all the benefits of a full-time job, but I still get paid and can live off of it. I will end up graduating and happy with my life. I will admit that it scares me to think that I will not be starting a family until I’m in my 30’s, but at the same time I will have accomplished what I want and will have time to focus on my family. I think that if you keep your eyes on your goals, life has a funny way of working out.

    Sorry for the late comment, I just read this blog and wanted to reply. I’m catching up on my blog reading this weekend. Have a great day!

    • Jes April 18, 2010, 9:22 am

      geez that was long. Sorry! LOL

  • Amy June 20, 2011, 4:25 pm

    i feel like i am literally in the exact same boat! i have a degree in journalism but decided the last few years that i wanted to switch to physical therapy. i took all the classes…physics sucks by the way and applied to schools. i got into 1 in nor cal and was set on going…but then just didnt know. like you said, the expenses are CRAZY and im 27 right now…so ill be around 30, then want kids..then what? its tough to make that decision. im still not sure..but i just feel like im so old for some reason even though im totally not! its crazy..but i can totally relate to your story!

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