Dr. Victoria (Vickie) Schoedel had a vision that inspired her to achieve her career goals. “If I can see it, I can make it happen,” she said. “My mom encouraged me to be whatever I wanted to be. She was an avid reader who taught me to respect books…and to seek out life-long learning opportunities”.

Dr. Schoedel shares the same message with other women: 1) keep a clear vision of what you want to accomplish and then go for it; 2) help others along the way; and 3) always, always count your blessings!

She worked her way through college, working nights at the ‘phone company’, and attending school during the days. ‘Back in the day’, there were no online schools or many schools who through much about the adult learner. So this was her only option. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree after four years, including summers.

Dr. Schoedel had wanted to be a newspaper reporter like the comic strip character, Brenda Starr. But after taking a psychology class in college, decided to become a psychologist. She soon learned being a psychologist wasn’t quite the fit for her—but teaching was. “I was promoted within the phone company, once I earned my degree and became responsible for training development and delivery for the entire Bell System,” said Dr. Schoedel. “I got to travel all over the U.S.” Dr. Schoedel accomplished several ‘firsts’ in her career—first computer-aided instruction (in the 70’s!) in the Bell System, first to develop a completely integrated skill-matching protocol for career advancement, and first Corporate Connections for her former employer, just to name a few.

The native Texan is married with two adult daughters, and a grand-daughter on the way. When asked ‘What is her most memorable achievement and why?’ Dr. Schoedel says, “…Earning three degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate) while working full-time with a husband and two children in tow for the last two degrees. But on Mother’s Day about three years ago, my daughters took me to lunch and proposed a toast to me saying,” We hope we can be as great a mom to our kids as you’ve been to us’. I can’t think of a greater achievement than to succeed as a parent—or to have your kids think so anyway!”