Zickbee Encourages Non-Trads to Take a Risk - Jump! She Says

Meet Zickbee. In her words, she's a "40something mother of 3 with 2 canine children; married 23 years; Arizona "native"; History major; collegiate basketball fan."

Over the holidays, while so many of us are worrying about whether or not we'll have a job next year, Zickbee is contemplating quitting hers to follow her dream---an opportunity to intern, unpaid, at the Woman's Basketball Hall of Fame. What a perfect chance to combine her love of both history and basketball.

She shares her trepidation in her blog. Should she risk it all for this valuable experience? She equates the fear to teaching her children to jump off the high diving board into the pool. "Jump!" she would encourage them. "Jump!"

Should she jump?

This is the same fear so many non-traditional students face. Are they too old to start over? Can they compete with younger candidates? Is it fair to ask their family to sacrifice? Is it worth it to jump?

What we sometimes forget is the vast wisdom and experience mature adults bring to the workplace. They're calmer, they know how to handle stressful situations, and they understand the importance of relating.

Zickbee has an interview on January 8 at the Woman's Basketball Hall of Fame. She doesn't have to decide until she has interviewed and been offered the job, but what an exciting proposition to contemplate over the holidays. I say she should go for it.

Jump Zickbee!

What do you say? Should she jump if she gets the chance?

Encouragement for the non-trad student:

• The Single Most Important Skill
• Major in Success
• Tips for Older Students
• Should You Go Back to School?