I was accepted into graduate school, received a scholarship and help from my job.
I had been restless at my job for at least a year and God sent me a solution of going back to school for my M.A. (Master of Art) degree in Graphic Design. I only applied to one school (the one I believed He told me to choose) and was accepted. My main goal was to acquire a teaching assistantship that would allow me to leave my job and only work as a student, but this request was denied. Plus, I was required to take a few undergrad courses before I began my program. I could have decided to walk away for this offer but I believed I was still suppose to go for it. So I attended school part-time and remained a full-time employee my first year. Thankfully my job allowed me flexible hours to cater to my class schedule.
Near the end of my second year, my graduate committee approached me to pursue a higher degree, M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts). I would be the second in this program to pursue this degree in my concentration. It’s also worthy to note that the M.F.A. for graphic design had not been previously advertised in any college material, so I did not know of it to be an opportunity. My committee seemed impressed with my work and really encouraged me to apply. So I applied and was accepted into the program. As a result, I became eligible for the teaching assistantship, applied and was rewarded full-time tuition coverage, partial medical benefits and a bi-weekly stipend for the year! I was then able to leave my job and pursue school full time while teaching.
This is what I desired in the beginning! If I had decided to turn down their initial offer, I would have missed this opportunity. Later that year, I was allowed to skip one of my undergrad course requirements. I also received a salary raise months before I resigned from my job. I am entering my last year in school and received the assistantship a second time (which included an increase in my stipend). I’ve had favor with my teachers, students and studio-mates. I’ve also been challenged/stretched academically and personally like crazy. But I’m also experiencing one of the best growth and exposure seasons of my life so far.
~ Courtney Richardson