Across the country, more adult women are heading back to school, earning advanced degrees, and taking charge of their futures. Whether returning to finish a degree or starting a new academic journey later in life, women are making bold choices to grow professionally, sharpen their skills, and lead in meaningful ways.
This surge isn’t just about career advancement. It’s about purpose, ownership, and personal transformation. These women are navigating coursework, full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and life changes — and still choosing to show up for themselves.
At the same time, younger generations are exploring different paths. A recent ResumeBuilder.com survey, conducted in May 2025, found that 42 percent of Gen Z adults are currently working in or pursuing blue-collar or skilled trade jobs. That includes 37 percent of Gen Zers who already have a bachelor’s degree. Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is weighing the cost of higher education against job security and long-term sustainability. Many are opting for trades that offer stability and a lower risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence.
The report also highlights that Gen Z men are more likely than women to choose blue-collar careers. Meanwhile, many adult women are turning toward higher education — not away from it. They’re enrolling in graduate and doctoral programs, earning certifications, and building out the next chapter of their lives with intention.
Their reasons vary. Some are seeking leadership opportunities. Others want to shift careers or set an example for their children. For many, it’s about completing something they started years ago and proving to themselves that they could finish it.
This commitment is reshaping workplaces, communities, and families. Women are using education to amplify their voices and open new doors — not just for themselves, but for those coming behind them.
The choice to return to school is rarely easy, but it’s happening everywhere. And it’s a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t follow a timeline — and success doesn’t belong to just one age group or generation.
Source: ResumeBuilder.com, May 2025. https://www.resumebuilder.com/4-in-10-gen-z-college-grads-are-turning-to-blue-collar-work-for-job-security
The Chundria Brownlow Show 
Leave a comment