by Meghan Stoneburner, Director
“Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.” – Dale Turner
Did you know Ray Kroc, the founder behind McDonald’s, didn’t get into the food industry until he was 52 years old? Or that Vera Wang, famous fashion designer, started in the design business when she was 40 years old?
From these examples, it seems it’s never too late to start on the path of a new adventure, whether that’s a complete career change or starting college at a later age. I don’t think there’s necessarily a “right” age to start something new. However, when you picture a college student, you immediately envision someone young, full of life, eager to learn and ready to take on their future. That was me back in the late 90s, but that was definitely not me by the time I graduated in 2013.
Because I grew up in South Florida, I knew since I was seven that I wanted to go to school at Florida State University (FSU). Floridians pick a college football team when they’re young and stick with them! I also knew from that young age what I wanted to become when I grew up—a writer—a traveling journalist, to be exact! I was determined, a bit stubborn and slightly delusional because FSU was the only college I applied to, and thankfully, by October of my senior year, I had already been accepted.
I had it all planned out! I attended FSU right out of high school. I majored in English and minored in Classical Mythology. (Because that makes sense!) For three years, I made the honor roll every semester. Then life happened, as it does sometimes. An obstacle dropped into my path — and I wondered, am I Sisyphus constantly pushing the boulder uphill or am I Odysseus having to choose between Scylla and Charybdis?
I was forced to make a choice and had to withdraw from college to handle serious family issues. This required my undivided attention and took the life out of me for a bit. I was heartbroken to see my plans disintegrate like Icarus’ wings flying too close to the sun. But I was determined to return to FSU and finish that degree as soon as possible. I was seriously begging the universe to calm down at that point when, true to ancient mythological form, life happened again. Aphrodite struck when I met my now husband. Within one year, I went from a young college student to a new wife and mother living in a different state. How’s that for life-changing?!
Eventually, I became a mother of two little girls and was a dedicated stay-at-home mom for 12 years. I loved being a mom but did not love being a stay-at-home mom. I wanted more, and despite the mom-guilt, I knew I had to choose a new path if I wanted more for my life. The moment my youngest daughter entered the school system, I returned to college. Even though it had been years since I initially attended a university, there was never a doubt in my mind that I would become a college graduate one day. The reason I was so determined is because I knew I could become the first person in my family to earn a college degree.
Growing up with a single mom who struggled with mental health issues and addictions, I grew up incredibly poor, living on welfare when we were lucky and buying my school clothes from the Dollar Store. There were times I went to bed hungry, but all of that taught me to be resilient, dedicated and determined despite my limitations. Earning a degree and getting out of poverty was all I wanted in life.
My husband, daughters and I had settled in Georgia by this point. While my dream of graduating from FSU was dead, I was quickly accepted into Kennesaw State University (KSU). My love for words wasn’t gone by any means but I knew teaching wasn’t my passion and an English degree doesn’t give a direct career path outside of education. Instead of continuing my English degree, I found that I was fascinated by the marketing industry. The psychology around marketing drew me in, and when I learned that writing was a huge part of the industry, I dove head-first into this new path. Despite being a 30-something-year-old college student, I knew I could do this.
When I learned statistics was required for a marketing degree, I cried and contemplated quitting on the spot. But instead, I tackled Stats like Perseus conquered Medusa and made it my first class. I told myself, “This is it. If you can’t pass Statistics, you’ll have to find a new major.” Not only did I pass that Stats class, but I scored a perfect grade on the cumulative final, receiving an A in the class. I knew from that moment on that nothing would stop me from earning my degree.
Even as a mother of two, I figured out how to make college work. It was one of the most stressful times of my life where I would parent all day, go to classes at night and stay up until the wee hours of the morning studying. Balancing college life with mom life was more difficult than I expected it to be, especially because my husband was traveling two to three weeks every month for work.
My daughters watched every moment of that struggle, and I wanted to set a good example by persevering and finishing what I started. They were my inspiration as much as I was theirs. I knew I had to keep going and earn this degree for my future and theirs. And I did just that. I graduated from KSU in 2013. Eleven years later, I’m writing this blog as a Titan — I mean one of the Directors for communications 21. How’s that for career growth?!
Over the years, I’ve had bosses and coworkers younger than me. In fact, half of my current coworkers could be my children. It doesn’t bother me at all because my age has given me additional experience they don’t have. I’ve lived through the absolute lows of life and struggled to find my way to the highs. That alone has given me a perspective that few have, and I’ve used that to help further my career as the years progressed.
I’m also aware that learning from the younger generations is a privilege that my age group may tend to brush off. My young coworkers don’t know life without social media and the internet — and I do. The internet has always been available to them, but it didn’t play a part in my life until I was in college at FSU. There is a lot to learn from the younger generations but just the same, there is a lot they can learn from me.
Like the trials of Hercules, it hasn’t been an easy career path, to say the least. But I truly believe every step along the way was meant to bring me to this company, to this position, to this life. I’ve never felt so at home with a group of people who inspire me to do better and step my game up every single day.
I became the first person in my family to earn a college degree all while raising two little girls. If I can handle all of that, I believe people can handle just about anything. Whether you are contemplating going to college later in life like I did, or perhaps changing career paths completely, I hope my Odyssey can serve as inspiration for you to keep going and never lose hope for too long. Remember, you can take a new path in life whenever you want. Starting over is not an Achilles heel. You just have channel the spirit of the Amazons and be brave enough.