作者:乔伊·范恩
More than 20 years after earning bachelor’s degrees in information technology from 最靠谱的网赌软件, twin sisters Monique and Nichole Perry are prepared to receive their Master of Business 政府 degrees from the University’s 斯特罗姆商学院 during commencement exercises on May 4.
While it was a long road filled with the ups and downs of life, it was practically inevitable that they would earn master’s degrees. 他们的父母，贝蒂和老凯文., instilled in Monique, Nichole and their brother, Kevin Jr. 早期教育的重要性.
Their mother set the example by earning a master’s degree at ODU and later a doctoral degree in instructional technology from ODU in support of her 30-year career in special education.
In 1999, as Nichole and Monique prepared to graduate from high school, their mother gave them two options: college or the military.
They chose college and enrolled at 最靠谱的网赌软件. Their uncle, a computer engineer, suggested that they pursue technology “to see where it takes them.” They followed his direction and graduated in 2003.
If ODU had a linked undergraduate/graduate degree program at that time, 他们可能会继续追查下去. But that wasn’t offered so they went straight to work.
Monique started out as a software engineer, moved on to technical management and is now a senior program manager. Nichole had a similar trajectory as a project program manager.
Along the way, they both had children and faced the same challenges of working parents everywhere.
尽管研究生院仍在召唤我, it seemed like a daunting project given all they had on their plates. Monique remembered how her mother’s observation about time made all the difference.
“我快40岁了, and I was thinking I don't know if I really have the time to sit here and go to classes. 谁有那个时间??”她说。. 然后我妈妈对我说, which still resonates with me to this day, 无论如何，那段时间会过去的, 不管你喜不喜欢, so you might as well spend that time working towards a goal.”
With that encouragement, the sisters enrolled in the University’s MBA program.
That was the start of what would become a five-year journey. The hiccups came from the quotidian things in life — namely childcare and full-time work.
“我有三个女儿. I had one of my daughters through this journey. So, it's taken us a little bit longer than two years,莫尼克说。. 但通过坚持不懈, continuing to work full time and taking care of our children, 我们到了, 在我们人生的下一个阶段.”
Nichole concurred that going back to school was anything but easy.
“I’m a single parent so that’s been challenging. My sister and I work full time and we both travel for work. It's difficult to balance everything,” Nichole said. “Now, we’re so focused on finishing out this degree and I'm excited that we're finally at this point. 虽然花了些时间，但我们到了.”
Nichole added that ODU’s flexibility was extremely beneficial.
“Our priority is our family and making sure that everyone is doing well. Education couldn’t be our number one priority. So, we took our time, taking two classes each semester,” Nichole said. “We just kept pushing ourselves, semester to semester, staying present, until we realized our goal.”
The 42-year-old Chesapeake residents credit their parents and their families, 尤其是他们的母亲, with helping them get through graduate school.
“Our mom has three children who all do the same sort of work and eight grandchildren,莫尼克说。. “She has really been the pillar in supporting us through everything and helping us with our children. 这是一段奇妙的旅程. And she's been the main person to help us along the way.”
The Perrys also said they could not have done it without the help of their older children.
“There were times where I’d be in a class Zoom session and I couldn't attend to everything my younger kids needed,莫尼克说。. “我的大女儿, 谁是12, 还有尼科尔的儿子, 谁是11, really stepped up and helped provide some of that support when I couldn’t find a sitter. Our kids were also part of that support system and looking out for their mommy and auntie.”
Nichole’s advice to others thinking about returning to school is reminiscent of a famous sneaker advertisement.
“只管去做，只管开始，”她说. “不要把注意力集中在时间表上. You just have to take things one step at a time. And, don't compare yourself to anyone else's journey.”