Summer 2014, I stood on the stage of the final ceremony of a summer camp where I was a counselor. I said,” My name is Kymmie Cartledge, and my goal is to get my master’s in higher education.” This was the summer before my senior year of college. I hadn’t even looked at grad school programs, but that statement felt right.
My major was elementary education, so teaching was the next logical step. However, I knew classroom teaching wasn’t for me after my junior year. Changing my major when I only needed two classes and to complete student teaching wasn’t the move. I didn’t know what I would have even changed it to. I did know that I enjoyed the work that I was able to accomplish through extracurricular activities. So the idea of working in higher education excited me.
Jumping straight into graduate school wasn’t ideal for me. After 16 years of school, I was tired, and I needed a break. I had a friend tell me that if I didn’t go straight to graduate school, I’d probably never go back to school. Being 21 and having no clue what I truly wanted out of life was stressful.
Ultimately, I decided to complete a year of service with City Year. I figured a gap year would give me time to plot my move. My plan was to attend grad school after my year of service. I wanted to be a full-time grad student immersed in the curriculum while completing an assistantship program. I also wanted to move halfway across the country and experience something completely new. I spent the entire first half of my City Year experience looking for graduate programs and applying to a school that met all of my requirements.
The problem, I didn’t get accepted into the one program I applied to. I was an alternate, but a spot never opened up for me. At first, I was upset. However, I decided to focus my efforts on applying for a job. I was hired as a 4th-grade teacher, and I quit a few months later. I was 23 and still confused, but I realized that the world was wide open for me to explore.
The two years I would’ve spent in the original program I applied to were the two years I spent jumping from job to job, moving from city to city, and living paycheck to three days before the next paycheck. I was broke, and I felt kinda broken. Although those two years were challenging, not getting accepted to that program was probably the best thing that could have happened. I learned that with every cloud, there is a silver lining.
During those two years, I started my blog (that you’re currently reading) and a business (that I’m currently rebranding). I had opportunities that I never would have had otherwise. I’ve met so many people and students during that time who have helped me grow. I’ve even lost a lot of friends on the journey, but hey, that’s life. Because I didn’t move away, I watched my niece grow up in real-time instead of via FaceTime. I was close to home when my dad had a heart attack. I also discovered the beauty and hidden gems that my hometown had to offer.
May 2019, I decided to apply to grad school again. Earlier that year, I went through a bit of a hard time mentally and emotionally. I was also dealing with some health issues that I still have to deal with currently. One day I was sitting at work, and I told myself I needed to prepare myself for the next level. I decided to apply for grad school at my alma mater. I filled out my application and FAFSA on the same day, and I emailed my essay a week later.
I started grad school in August 2019, pursuing a Master’s in Higher Education Administration. Although the program wasn’t exactly the experience I had imagined for myself, I was looking forward to learning more about a field I’m passionate about. Balancing a full-time job, a business, 3-4 courses, and Saturday/Sunday in-person classes once a month was a lot to manage. My first semester was pretty smooth once I got into the groove of school.
Halfway through my second semester, everything shut down due to COVID-19. I suddenly found myself recalibrating to adjust to a new way of life in my life. My last semester went from hybrid to online, and that was a difficult adjustment to make. The week before my final semester started, my grandfather passed away. The day after his funeral, I attended class virtually in the passenger’s seat of my sister’s car while riding back home. I had my laptop and iPad sitting in my lap while being hooked up to the hot spot on my phone.
A few weeks later, on my 27th birthday, George Floyd was killed, and what would have been Breonna Taylor’s 27th birthday was two weeks after that. Having to live through a pandemic, a toilet paper shortage, a civil rights movement, and an election year while completing a master’s degree is a lot to unpack. I’m an empath, so I was attempting to process my emotions and feelings. There were days where I just sat and procrastinated because I had nothing left to give. But I found the energy to persevere and completed my program with a 4.0 GPA.
Now that I’ve completed a second degree, the real work is in how I choose to apply the knowledge I’ve gained. For me, it’s not about labels, degrees, or titles, but it’s about using my education and my story to inspire others to create the life they seek to live.
There are people my age (and younger) who are doctors, married with kids, homeowners, and/or making way more money than me. While I could easily get distracted and fixated on the curated social media highlight reel of others, I choose to stay in my lane and focus on making it to my own personalized finish line. I’m not in a hurry, and you shouldn’t be in a hurry either.
If you’re reading this and you feel like you’re behind, just know you’re right on schedule. Take your time and take life one day at a time. I believe that setbacks, no’s, and not right now can be a blessing. What is meant for you will be yours in due season.
-Kymmie
A 20 something with two degrees
Romans 8:28
Galatians 6:9
