How to Balance Your Career and Graduate School
Pursuing a graduate degree is a challenging but rewarding task. When you factor in working
full-time, it can be daunting and may even seem impossible.
Jennifer Murphy, Tech’s Interim Director of Student Success for the College of Engineering and Licensed Professional Counselor, speaks to the doubt people may have in juggling a career and graduate school.
Murphy holds a MA in Educational Psychology & Counselor Education, an EdS in Instructional Leadership, and is currently working toward her PhD in Higher Education Administration at Tennessee Tech. During each of these graduate degrees, she maintained a full-time job.
“I worked a full-time job as a high school English teacher while I earned my master’s, and I worked full time as a school counselor while I earned my EdS,” Murphy explained.
Murphy offers tangible advice on how to tackle graduate school while maintaining your
career. 
Stay dedicated
Murphy revealed that graduate school has its challenges, but by staying motivated, it taught her invaluable lessons in persistence. She also explained that the educational process is unique.
“No one’s educational journey is linear, but it’s not a journey if you never start,” Murphy continued. “Be brave and take the class!”
Utilize resources offered
“There are times when I feel overwhelmed, but by stewarding resources like time, tutoring and help from family and friends, the overarching sense coming out of those degrees will be a sense of pride in persisting,” Murphy said.
Manage your time
Time management paired with support of others was the key to balancing her career and graduate coursework. Murphy emphasized the importance of persistence and leaning on the people around you.
“I started each semester with an outline of a plan for my time, and I relied on those around me to help me during the busier times of the semester,” Murphy pointed out.
Give yourself grace
Murphy pointed out that there were times where she felt like she did not have a balance between work, school and family life, but the inconsistency helped her create balance down the road.
“For times of it, my assignments could’ve probably been better,” Murphy admitted. “Other times, I’d have to take a day off work just to spend time with my husband or get a lengthy assignment done, but I think that’s how I learned to find the balance – by fine-tuning what works for me by being out-of-balance several times.”
Rely on peer support
One tip Murphy pointed out was utilizing your peers in graduate school and not trying to go through it alone.
“Graduate school forces you to figure out many things on your own, so get to know a few people you have classes with,” she stated. “It’s so much easier to figure things out with three brains instead of just one.”
Combat self-doubt
Murphy offers advice to anyone considering graduate school but doubting their own ability.
“My advice to someone considering earning a graduate degree is simply make some time in your schedule, and take the first class,” she encouraged. “Much of the hesitation and self-doubt I felt each time I went back for another degree came from the anticipation, not the actual coursework – you’re more capable than you think.”