reading writing & arithmancy :)

[chestnutcurls]

Yes, I promised a "real" post. Unfortunately, I don't have anything "real" to say. It's been a long day. We had a party for one of my co-workers, who is getting her degree after working full-time and going to school for six years. We're all very proud of her.

I'm thinking again about grad school. Sort of. When I graduated, I had finally had it with school, but lately I've missed learning and reading and saying "I can't, I have a class," which can be either a blessed excuse or a sad proclamation. :) I think my recent literary plot fixations are just my brain's way of saying that it needs some exercise. I would like to have something to think about again.

However, my non-work life is already pretty full. It's taken me this long just to figure out where I can squeeze some volunteer work in. I don't like the idea of sitting here all day, then having to go to class all night (hi, Lawson). Plus, my company will only pay for classes if they are related to my job. And since I am interested in programs like graphic design and writing and language, not Hotel and Motel Management, I cannot afford to go.

See, I told you I didn't have anything real to say. :P So I'll let you discuss. For those of you who have thought about college/grad school, do you have plans to go soon? What do you want to do? For those of you who are in grad school, what are you learning? Is it worth it?

Comments

[aardwolf.livejournal.com]

I'm probably going to Grad school in January. I don't want to give myself a chance to slack off, or I'll never go back... Of course, it's not that big a deal for me because it's paid for (job-related.)

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Brenda, I've pondered the same thing. I'm totally sick of school and homework, but part of me wants to continue my education. It's not for career advancement...I think I miss being a part of something like that and working towards a goal. Also, I sometimes think that if I went away to grad school, that would be my push and reason to move somewhere and I'd make a lot of friends right away.

Those sound like the wrong reasons for going back, but sometimes I wonder why else some people go back...it's not always going to help them in the job world. I think they often just want the experience as it is. And you get so used to going to school, it's weird to stop. It's like.. "whoa, I'm actually going to sit here in the same place for 40 hours a week?" So school gives you this sort of hope that eventually you'll change that "once you graduate."

Obviously there are exceptions. Some people need their Master's to be seen as educated in their field. Lawyers, Musicians, etc.

Another option I've pondered is like a certificate program somewhere, but I haven't done enough research to find one that interests me. I, too, would want to pursue further into the graphic and web design field.

[contradictions.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way about not being in school anymore (although I'm just now about to experience it). I think of it this way...I've spent my entire conscious life in school. I've been going to school since I was 3 (counting pre-school, of course). And now...it's just...over. It's like, oh, by the way, you have to start surviving on your own now. SAY WHAAAAA?! You mean I won't have to do home work anymore? What's up with that?

Anyway, that's just my take on the issue of suddenly being thrust into the real world ;o)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know. I think there needs to be a class on The Real World (not the show :P) in your last semester of school, because it is a shock. It takes a long time to adjust. I've been out for over a year, and I'm just now beginning to feel settled in my life.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Very well said! Especially about the "goal" thing. I think that's what bothers me most since I got out of school. I'm not working toward a goal anymore. Since I got my job, I've been working hard to show my bosses that I am eager to learn and advance, but I mainly do this because that's what's expected in the corporate world. If you don't look ambitious, they don't like that. As I'm learning more and more about what my bosses do, I've been asking myself if I want to spend the rest of my life doing this. And really, I don't. I think I'll regret it if I look back on my life, with all the careers I wanted to have, and see that I spent 40 years in a cubicle fighting with some hotel managers over contracts. :P But at the same time, this is a "good," "secure" job at an established company with wonderful co-workers, so I can't justify leaving it just because it's not what I thought I'd be doing. It's frustrating.

Anyway, that had little to do with what you said. I just wanted to give you props on expressing the goal-and-motivation aspects of school in the words I couldn't think of. :)

Re:

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Well it may not have had a lot to do with what I said, but it has a lot to do with how I feel. And yes, you ARE justified in leaving if you found something else. Just because the job is a "good job" doesn't make it desirable to you. You have to find something you're passionate enough about that you want to spend that many hours there. Well...at least that's what I think. :) Maybe that's why I'm always unsatisfied.

[jmcphers.livejournal.com]

I'll be moving away to graduate school in less than a month. Some of the main reasons I wanted to:

1. Job interest-factor. I like doing research and working on challenging problems, and many "cutting-edge" tech jobs these days require a master's degree. I want to solve new problems, not spend all day applying known solutions to known problems, which is what (as an employee) I'm realizing is what a lot of people do all day long.
   
2. Financial considerations. People with advanced degrees earn more money. However, this isn't really a big one, since I'm essentially skipping out on 2 years of income to get my graduate degree -- I'll probably earn it back over the course of my career, but not exceed it significantly.
   
3. Change/experience. Jessica's post was quite insightful; after 4.5 years at my current job, I'm realizing it isn't something I want to do forever. Also, I've never moved away to college -- I completed my bachelor's degree at night school, which, while amazingly economical, also caused my to miss the non-formal aspects of college; I want to learn to be fiscally and socially independent.

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and may I say, that is the most organized and pretty response I've seen! Numbering, boldface...no wonder Davis accepted you.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Yes, thoughtful and well-typed. I'm impressed. :)

[lifeofpatrick.livejournal.com]

Yes I am hoping to start a program next summer to get my MBA in Marketing. I want to teach on the college level so it is a requirement to reach that goal. Plus I just love marketing so I am so looking forward to it. now I just need to score high enough on the GMAT to get into a good program.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Hi! Thanks for commenting! :)

So I guess you're in more of the business side of marketing, rather than the advertising and design side?

I'm in grad school

[verseseven.livejournal.com]

For me, graduate school is awesome. It's way better than undergrad and there are so many smart, experienced people to learn from. People actually want to be here and want to share their experiences and learn as a group. I wasn't ready to not be a student anymore. I'm glad I went straight from uni. But, I think it all depends on what you want to study, where you study and your lifestyle. It's kind of weird, this next year being my offical last year of the great student lifestyle. :) I don't really know what will happen after that. My life is so transient!

Re: I'm in grad school

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Yes, you also go to an awesome school. :) It does depend on the person. I'm glad you're happy at your school. Just enjoy this year with all you've got!

grad school ahoy

[greenhornet.livejournal.com]

I am starting a School Librarian certification program that will probably lead to a master's in Education on the 28th. This is a risk for me(bringing in an answer to Jessecho) because I really can't afford it, but it seems that that God is leading that way, so I am going to rely on him to provide. I also will need to budget like mad. I am doing this, because I am still on the borderline of poverty after 6 years with a bachelor's degree. I unfortunately picked a career doing something I like, not something lucrative. I am modifying that to get into the education field, which will allow me to not live from paycheck to paycheck.

Re: grad school ahoy

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Librarian! Wow! Congratulations! I've always wanted to be a librarian, but we don't have any library science programs here.

Good for you for doing something you love, even if it costs you. I think that shows a lot of courage and commitment to your values. :)