Online education has come of age, and everyone, from students
to employers is taking notice.
Especially women, who are finding opportunities to pursue
leadership, science, technology, math and other fields that lead
to higher paying jobs after graduation, and give women the
tools to pursue their dreams.
With us today, discussing how women are finding new
opportunities, is Dr. Lakerri Mack, assistant professor of
political science at Troy University.
Good morning.
Thanks for being here.
Thank you for having me.
Doctor, let's talk about just the challenges women are facing
because they want to pursue, let's say, a really big
position, CEO, for example.
Women in leadership is not traditional, so a lot of women -
And it still isn't?
Unfortunately.
It's a man's world out there.
I can't stand that.
So women are having to relook at practice themselves and to see
themselves in those positions, and so the fact of the matter
is, we've been leaders forever.
We've raised families, we've led households, we've led service
organizations, and so now it's an opportunity to have women to
transition into those more corporate settings and for
profit organizations with those same skill sets that have worked
for years.
You know, as a woman, we have to balance.
We have to balance.
Balance and organization are so important.
The tasks will not decrease.
They only increase, but can it be done?
Yes.
And so the question becomes, how do you approach it?
Well, you have support systems that you put into place, making
sure everyone's on the same page to insure that you get to where
you're trying to go.
Also, just bringing in those skills that you already have.
You know, you make sure that your son is at soccer practice,
your daughter is at her trumpet lessons, and so you do these
things already, and so you just bring that and add another piece
to the puzzle.
Again, what we do at Troy University, we really offer you
an opportunity to have that support system so that you can
balance and insure that you are being successful, not only at
home, but also in the classroom.
And Troy is really helping a lot of women out there, like me,
because of the online.
Let's talk about that.
When you're teaching online, you're reaching students
internationally and nationally as well, and so that gives you
an opportunity to not only teach, but also to learn as
well.
So, things are flexible, they are at your own pace.
That's important.
Yes.
They're accessible.
All the material, we make sure, I personally make sure that my
online courses are very organized, because I take into
consideration, you have working people, you have couples, you
have people who don't just do school.
They do life.
And so, in order to make sure that they're able to do theirs,
we take a very very strong stance, and a consistent stance,
on making sure those courses are available, throughout all
disciplines, as well as they are set up in a way that are
functional for those persons who take upon them.
And the online is also flexible in the sense that someone can
finish something in two years, three years, four years, it
doesn't really matter.
It's your pace.
Exactly, because a lot of people, especially if you're
already in your profession, you have a certain time frame that
you want to complete, and a lot of people are determined,
because they feel "well, I don't have four years to sit here and
complete a degree" whereas online we are term based, so you
could take more courses in a year.
Awesome.
Again, flexible, and they're offered so the courses you need,
you will be able to take them in suits.
You must be getting great feedback from women that say
"thank you so much.
I was able to do this, even with four kids, being divorced,
widowed, or whatever the case may be."
Yes, well, again, the culture at Troy is very important and very
quintessential to how we function, so feedback is one of
the things that people do, and so they're constantly telling
you "we appreciate this.
It worked out well for me.
I'm going to recommend this to a friend" because you do have the
opportunity to really have a degree that matters.
Doctor, why do you think Troy is maybe different from others that
offer online as well?
Well, again, we are a public institution, and so we are
accredited and we've been in business since 1800's, so that's
just something that adds to that.
A name that is already in place.
Also, we have a very strong military backing, and so a lot
of military personnel and persons send their members to
us, because they know of our history.
So, no more excuses.
No more excuses, get out and do it.
I have to get this masters.
I'm going to do it.
I don't care how long it takes me, but I'm going to do it at my
pace.
Yes, and you can do it.
And I think my girls will also appreciate it and maybe even
strive for that as well in the future.
Yes, definitely a legacy.
What's the website to Troy?
Troy.edu/etroy.
Thank you so much, appreciate your time.
Thank you so much.
And of course if you'd like more information, you can go to our
website.
That's TheBalancingAct.com.
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