Finding the right program and support network can help you level up your career.

Being a young parent is a busy time of life. Between meal times, bath time and bed time, it’s not always easy to carve out time to pursue your professional goals. That said, finding a balance between your career and home life could encourage your children to follow their own dreams as they grow up. And when you envision your career as an opportunity for creativity and enjoyment, you can instill those same positive values in your kids, too.

So how can you raise a family while also elevating your career? The answer is education, education, education. With support from experts at Royal Roads University, we’ve outlined key advice for any young parent looking for change. Finding the right next step could open doors you’d never considered before.

1. FIND A HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT FITS YOUR LIFE

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Many students at Royal Roads University are balancing the same challenges you are: earning enough to support their family, while still maintaining relevancy and gaining the tools they need to advance their career. They make it work because the University’s blended learning model lets faculty and students communicate even when they’re scattered across the world. On-campus time is limited to just a few weeks out of the year. Look for schools that offer accommodative program schedules and online learning opportunities, as these are more likely to fit in your schedule.

2. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH A SUPPORT NETWORK

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If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. This proverb applies perfectly to education, especially for someone who’s going back to school. Not only do young parents need extra assistance from family and friends at home, but finding support at school can improve your motivation for learning and interest in a subject in several ways. First, it builds social connections with classmates so you’re more invested your learning; second, it lets you split up complicated projects and learn from one another; and third, it connects you with people who are interested in the same field as you ⁠— and might even help you land a job once your program ends.

For instance, finding a cohort program will automatically connect you with like-minded peers who you can grow with during your studies. At Royal Roads, their collaborative learning model ensures the people from a variety of backgrounds with diverse perspectives can work together on projects and course work.

3. RUN THE NUMBERS

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It’s a hard fact that many people have to sacrifice their earning potential when they start a family. In fact, during the five years after a child is born, mothers between the ages of 25 and 38 could see earnings drop by four percent as compared to women without children, according to a 2019 survey by RBC. The challenge is that this time of life is a key period for career advancement and professional development, as well as a common period in which to start a family. When deciding what path to take forward in your education, you’ll want to make sure it will significantly affect your earning potential. A key sign is whether the instructors have both academic and industry experience, as they can likely connect you with opportunities and contacts in their network. Another sign is whether the courseware focuses on theoretical knowledge or real-world applications. Speaking with a counsellor before enrolling will help you answer these questions and more.

Deciding to open a door to the next stage in your career isn’t easy, especially when you’re balancing new responsibilities at home. But whatever your goals are, the right partner will take you up.

Located in one of Canada’s most beautiful National Historic Sites, Royal Roads University is a place of life-changing transformation. You’ll be inspired and challenged to level up your career and life, without putting either on hold. Whatever your goals are, we’ll take you up. Royalroadsup.ca.