Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
Graduated high school on time at 18 (which I hated...).
Survived a difficult marriage; first husband died two weeks before my son turned 4.
Attended and graduated with my BA (which I also hated).
Moved back to the state of my birth and remarried, during which time I started my doctoral journey (and loved it!)
Attended and graduated with my EdM (yep, hated that too).
Had an opportunity to move cross country for an employment opportunity; worked there for six years until the contract ended
Lost my father in a car accident whilst I was pregnant.
Became a caregiver for my son (until he moved into a semi-independent living home) and second husband (until he died), during which time I started working online exclusively
Keep following my journey

Career

Adjunct

I work as an instructor and dissertation committee member.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Writing
Working Independently

Day to Day

I typically check email after my early morning routine. I then spend a bit of time with my dogs and go to the gym with my friend. Once home, I dig into reviewing discussion forum posts, answering emails, and reviewing papers (often whilst having breakfast -- I don't advocate that part!). I take breaks to stretch, talk to neighbors, and have a bit of lunch before getting back into the work again. I might have video or phone meetings with students at any given time as well.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

I would say that the best thing to do is talk to others. Find people who do what you want to do and take them for coffee. Ask if you can have a full on conversation, no holds barred, about their journey. Knowing the good parts, the sticky bits, and the horror stories as well as how they got beyond it is most helpful.

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Peers:

"As an adjunct who works online (as compared to those who work on-ground in a singular, full-time capacity), I must be 'cobbling together' work 'just to survive'."