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

[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. :)