It seems surreal that this time next year, I will NOT be
enrolled in school. It's exciting but scary at the same time. I
have applied for over 30 potential jobs over the course of the past
seven months and have been on about 10 interviews (phone and
in-person). I have yet to accept a job offer although I've been
offered positions, but after discussion with my husband, they are
not "suitable" for me.
Having lunch with Ryan's parents and celebrating their
33rd Wedding Anniversary!
It's a struggle. I know some alumni in amazing associateships.
Others have ventured out and set up their own practices. Others
have found themselves in unhappy and unpleasant associate
positions, and others are still searching. The big RED negative
number [student loan debt] you get when you go through your exit
counseling only freaks you out more…whoa! It puts a lot of things
in perspective for you…especially for me. My husband and I both saw
those big red numbers, and in about 9 weeks, I will see yet another
red number.
So, reality hits.
Living as a student seems difficult based on the "salary" we are
forced to be comfortable with since there really is no time to work
outside of school, ESPECIALLY if you are dual-enrolled like me. But
it almost seems easier to be a student living in the comfort of
classroom hours, working under clinicians, and getting a nice
"refund" check every trimester. I picked up my last refund check; I
am on the way out in my last weeks at NUHS; and the future is there
with open arms.
I really admire my husband for all the hard work he puts into
his associateship. He's very happy and being treated very well, but
he also works very hard! His days are long and packed with patients
while managing the entire clinic on his own. As I sit and think
about his experiences, it makes me nervous when I have those of my
own. Especially now, almost two doctorates later, I feel like I
have a lot more to prove than ever.
Just giving you a glimpse into the reality of it all. Choosing
the school you want to accomplish these degrees is the easy
part…getting through more than 14 trimesters is difficult but
do-able...the story after all that is the tough part!
Ryan and I visiting with one of my best friends from college
visiting from Ohio!
Thank goodness I have the support that I do! Seeing family and
friends from out-of-town always lifts my spirits and motivates me
to continue to seek a bright future for myself. The first step--the
degree(s). After that, it's really all in your hands and what you
make of it!