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Personal Goals - No Regrets

October 2008

From the desk of Bridget M. Johnson, BSA, MHA

“You’re cordially invited to the University of Phoenix commencement exercises of the graduating class of 2008”

No Regrets

The year is 2008.   It is a beautiful fall day as I leave the University of Phoenix Metairie campus with the fantastic news from my counselor that I met all requirements to obtain my master’s degree in Business Administration/Healthcare management.   Immediately I begin to construct the invitation in my mind seen above to send to family and friends so that everyone can share in the celebration of me fulfilling the ultimate personal goal of my life, the completion of my college degrees, the catalyst to an even better life, personally, professionally and financially.
This personal goal was planted in my heart over twenty-five years ago.   I attended college for a brief spell prior to the birth of my son.   After the birth of my son, obtaining my college degree became more of a necessity than a desire, but I was not certain how I would accomplish the task.   I did know that my new role as mother required I postpone attending college to care for my child.   Fortunately, I had acquired a skill in high school, typing, which landed me a temporary receptionist assignment at Tulane University.   Upon becoming a full-time employee, I learned one of the employee benefits was free tuition.   I viewed becoming a permanent full-time employee as an opportunity to take my personal goal off the backburner, where I was successful for a number of years.   I enrolled in school, taking classes year round.   Balancing family, career growth and maintaining good grades in school became an ever-increasing battle, but schoolwork enveloped most of my time.   I then realized the older my son became, the need to be accessible to him increased. Reluctantly, I withdrew from the university, with the firm belief that one day I would return to college, and focused on my new career in higher education administration....