Date posted: 4-13-01

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By Veronica Thomas

DeKalb News Service

DEKALB - Cheryl McCarthy, a 49-year-old Northern Illinois University student, knows the challenges women juggling a career and family face.

McCarthy. of Mendota, was a teacher's aid for 12 years. Last year, she decided to return to college, and found the demands of school and family even more challenging.

Currently, 13 percent of NIU's 17,151 undergraduate students are age 25 or older. Many of these students work hard to get an education, while balancing school and family demands.
Betty Baugh, office manager for the Office of University Resources for Women, said the main reason she sees women returning to college is to better their career positions and support their families.

Mary Jo Petterson, 45, of Elgin, who also attends NIU, decided to go back to college to advance her career.

"I was working as a secretary, and I wanted to make a change," she said. "I knew I could do something else."

McCarthy said her decision to go back was based on the current job market.
"My husband is involved in manufacturing, and that's definitely taking a downturn," she said. "I realized with an education and degree I could make twice as much money as I am now."

McCarthy and Petterson both began college after high school, but didn't complete their degrees. Petterson, who went to Elgin Community College, blames immaturity for her decision to drop out.

"I had a couple of years that I didn't apply myself," Petterson said. "I was young, and so I dropped out."

McCarthy, who left school when she got married, now has four children.

"I was just short of an associate's degree, but at the time I didn't feel I should be married and going to college," she said.

After dropping out, McCarthy only took jobs that didn't require her to work long hours so she could spend time with her family.

Petterson and McCarthy both encounter challenges typical to non-traditional female students.

"There's unique challenges to working, but even more when going to school," Petterson said. "I don't have enough time to do everything as well as I'd like to."

Petterson also has a daily commute from Elgin.

"It takes an hour to drive, park and get to class," she said.

"In some ways it's nice to be older and mature," she said. "You have some life experience that younger students don't have. On the other hand, my memory isn't what it used to be, and I feel it takes me longer to do things."

Petterson has two children, ages 16 and 12, who don't always understand the demands of school and homework.

McCarthy feels role conflict.

"It's harder being in school now because of my home life," she said. "It's hard to get the grocery shopping, housework and laundry done. I can't get the things done that I need to because I have to take time to study or write a paper."

At times, there's guilt.

"I feel a lot of conflict within myself," she said. "My youngest son had a senior sports banquet, and I had to miss it because I had a class."

There is also little time for leisure activities.

"On Sunday, I watched a movie," McCarthy said. "I rarely watch TV, and I felt guilty sitting there for three hours," she said.

Petterson doesn't feel different from other students because she is older than most.

"I think in the beginning I made a bigger deal out of it than I needed to," she said. "All the college students are supportive, and they don't see me as an older student. My professors don't treat me differently."

Several resources on campus can help non-traditional female students.

"This office was primarily set up to assist non-traditional women who are over 30," Baugh said, "although we do serve all women."

"Women need resources for many things," Baugh said. This includes help in finding child-care, improving study skills and obtaining financial aid.

"Stuff everyone wants," she said. "To have their family taken care of, to get good grades, and to get money."

Petterson, who graduates in May, isn't worried about finding a job.

"I have previous work experience and a good work ethic," she said.

McCarthy will graduate in December with a degree in Family Consumer Nutrition Services. She thinks she has a good chance of finding employment.

"I have a lot to offer to make a difference," she said. "You learn so much from life experience, and I think employers are recognizing it as an asset that can be utilized."

Despite the challenges, McCarthy doesn't regret her decision to return to school.

"It's had a positive effect on my children," she said. "They see me struggle to do the work and get the grades. I think it motivates them to try harder and do better themselves."

Petterson has no regrets, either.

"Next year I'll be a year older whether I came back or not," she said.

Source list:
· Betty Baugh, Women's Resource Center, (815) 753-0320
· Mary Jo Petterson, student
· Cheryl McCarthy, NIU student and S.W.A.N. member
· Institutional Research Center at NIU, (815) 753-6003

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