Got my degree at 42, everything changed

Apr 271 min read

Went back to school while working full time and raising two teenagers. Took 5 years but got my degree in software engineering. Now I'm making almost double what I was as a carpenter. The kids watched me struggle through calculus at 2am and now they actually study harder. I miss the physical work sometimes, that feeling of building something concrete with my hands. Miss being home more too, those years were hectic. But now I can pay for my daughter's college without her going into debt. Can actually retire someday. My wife stopped looking so stressed all the time. Thought I was too old but here we are.

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Comments(2)

AArchie M.RegularApr 27

This is inspiring. Between juggling three kids and their activities, I tell people all the time that you can't control much as a parent, but you can control whether you show up for yourself. You clearly did that.

MMatt D.RegularApr 27

Man, that's huge. Going back to school with two teenagers at home is no joke, I know how hard it is just keeping up with bedtime when they're that age. Congrats on pushing through those 5 years, that takes real discipline.