Five Year Plan
Over the course of the next five years, I expect that my primary focus will be on gaining valuable experience through remote short-term or part-time freelance work. This plan is heavily influenced by the fact that I still have young children at home who often require extra attention. My son, currently nine years old, has a significant interest in geography, math, and languages. In five years, he will be 14 and getting ready to enter high school. He is likely to need extra support during this transition. As for my daughter, she will be completing her high school years during this time. In fact, there is a fairly decent chance that in five years she will be then where I am now, finishing her first year at SOWELA. I won't discount the possibility that she may end up staring at a four-year school.
For the time being, both my husband and my children's schedules revolve around the academic calendar with breaks for summer and Christmas often involving flying to Oregon to visit out-of-state grandparents. Therefore, I would prefer to do work that allows me the flexibility to work more during the school year and less during school breaks.
Aside from personal commitments, I aim to dedicate time and effort to expanding my skill set. While SOWELA provides a solid foundation in programming and web development, I recognize the importance of continuing to learn and gain experience. Many positions that are of interest to me require a bachelor's degree in programming or equivalent experience, suggesting the need for additional certifications and on-the-job experience. By actively seeking opportunities to acquire new skills and certifications, I can hopefully bridge the gap between job requirements and the SOWELA degree I expect to have completed.