Need some Advice (long)
-
afinnell wrote: Now for the egotistical reason to stay in school. There's nothing worse then being among a group of collogues and talking about how well you do at your job then getting the inevitable question, "So where did you graduate?" And I can't tell you how many times I have heard this.... :( I usually make a joke about it to lighten the mood, but it often hurts me no matter how it is dealt with. The military types come in, with a "why should we listen to you? you don't even have a BS" attitude quite often. When I write a white paper or make a presentation of my work that catches attention, the first question is almost always where my training was. I end up having to prove my more odd theories in evenings for free, and then controversy starts as to why some idiot without a degree can do something that no one else could. Its a no-win situation, if I fail its because I don't have a degree, if I succeed, I just made dozens of degreed enemies. That's even another reason why I considered a degree in a related field, but not directly tied with my work. They can say, well, he did it because he found a way to apply neighboring fields to his current work, which is exactly what I do, pull in work in all graphics fields to apply to my current work. I see things very differently than others. If I didn't love my job, it would not be worth the hassle. _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
Yup, completely understand. Sometimes I just tell them what school I'm going to. So if the question is, "So what school did you go to?" I just them the truth and nothing else. I went to so and so.. Nuff said and I didn't lie. :) This is one of those things I really regret not doing earlier in my life. - Drew
-
"What if you are the employer/decision maker? If someone isn't doing their job, I'm the one that cans their ass. There are 3 of us, work well together, so this isn't some big ass company. We are basically all self employed but not quite. It might sound complicated, but it's really, really nice." Did you put as much equity into the company as the other 2 partners? If not then you are not one of the owners. In that case you can easily be let go. Also if you own a company and had to get outside investment that still doesn't mean you can't be let go. The person that controls the money will always make the final decision. There have been many cases when the founders of companies have been let go once they release control to the board of directors because they had to get outside investment. I understand this isn't the case with you, but like I said don't assume everything will last forever. Just look at all the big named companies going out of business now. Who would have thought? Don't ever let your education fall behind, whether it be school or your own training. At this stage in our country a B.S. will serve you until the end of your lifetime, after that it will be on you to learn as much as you can on your own. Look at the future; 10 years from now would you rather tell your kids (Don't reply and say you dont plan on having kids, I'm making a point here ;-) that you had 13 years of experience and a college degree, or that you just worked for 13 years of your life without finishing college. Set a good example for the other people in this world and yourself. Don't do yourself an injustice by quiting. All this being said I completely understand where you are comming from. I am so far beyond many of my peers in terms of experience and knowledge, yet they have degrees and get more respect. It eats at me all the time. You have to understand that other people are very ignorant when it comes to education and ability. One of the biggest reasons I gave for dropping out was Bill Gates. If you take him for example he dropped out and started what is now the biggest software development firms. Now, try convincing a commoner that he dropped out of school and did what he did.. It's like getting braces. When you are a teenage you hate the idea of getting braces and put up a good fight. However by the time you in your mid 20's you have straight teeth and probably don't remember much about the braces. It's done and over and now you have something to show for it. Another good example from my life. I never got braces
afinnell wrote: Did you put as much equity into the company as the other 2 partners? If so then you are not one of the owners. In that case you can easily be let go. If I did put equity in then I'm more likely to get let go? wtf That makes no sense.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
-
Let me share my story with you first... I am currently a freshment at Grand Valley State Univeristy in Michigan. For the fall semester I am curently taking 14 credits. Classes are "easy" however here is my problem. For the past 3 years I have been working with a Real Property Appraiser (residential & commercial). Initially I started out just fixing the computers, keeping the internet/LAN up and running etc. Starting 2 years ago I started to get really involved in the actual business. I have taken all the classes required by the State of Michigan to get my limited appraiser's license. I am now a major part of his entire operation and am making very good money. Over the next year or so I will be able to double or triple my earnings now that we have a full blown office (opening tomorrow). Along with my regular duties I am also running the website/intranet and ecommerce side of the business. This is a lot of work but it pays really well, has lots of perks, and I really love the work. All the above takes up 90% of my time. I am at my classes for a very short time (3 days a week this semester, was lucky during scheduling). The problem is I have very little time to do all the damn HW/Essays/Etc. Needless to say my grades aren't straight As like in HS. So it all comes down to one questions really... Should I take off a year or two from traditional schooling (will still take any classes required by the state for my appraiser's license, but those a very few in number and very short). to work and save up money so I could then focus entirely on schooling?, OR try and do both at the same time, OR do you have some other opinion on what I whould do? Perhaps pursue some other type of schooling? Everyone seems to want me to get a 4 year degree, but I am not 100% sure that is what I want to do... Thanks guys and please let me know if you have any questions:cool:
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
It sounds like you've got a good job, with alot of potential. Go with it. School isn't going anywhere. Be smart with your money though, don't blow it, save as much as you can. BW The Biggest Loser
"Farm Donkey makes us laugh.
Farm Donkey hauls some ass."
-The Stoves -
afinnell wrote: Did you put as much equity into the company as the other 2 partners? If so then you are not one of the owners. In that case you can easily be let go. If I did put equity in then I'm more likely to get let go? wtf That makes no sense.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
-
Typing mistake. I will modify the original comment. He he, Yeah that would be a screwed up world wouldn't it. :) - Drew
Thought so.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
-
IMO, all a degree does is tell people that you've spent time learning things that are now or will shortly be obsolete. Yes, even fundamental design practices are being obsoleted. Work experience, IMO, tells people that you know about today's problems and can solve them. I took two years at a community college in 1980/81, dropped out, and never looked back. Learning in places that teach to the (s)lowest common denominator is simply not for me. Marc MyXaml Advanced Unit Testing
There is a large difference between a community college degree and a university degree. Every community college I know of teaches you what it will take to get a job today. Universities teach you fundamentals that don't change, and expect you to get a job by applying fundamentals to the real world. The world may change a lot, but the laws of physics are the same. Knowing todays buzzwords won't help tommorow. An O(n!) algorithm will always be slow, not matter how fast the computer. However knowing how to analyise an algorithm won't help you get a job with someone who only knows buzzwords.
-
Let me share my story with you first... I am currently a freshment at Grand Valley State Univeristy in Michigan. For the fall semester I am curently taking 14 credits. Classes are "easy" however here is my problem. For the past 3 years I have been working with a Real Property Appraiser (residential & commercial). Initially I started out just fixing the computers, keeping the internet/LAN up and running etc. Starting 2 years ago I started to get really involved in the actual business. I have taken all the classes required by the State of Michigan to get my limited appraiser's license. I am now a major part of his entire operation and am making very good money. Over the next year or so I will be able to double or triple my earnings now that we have a full blown office (opening tomorrow). Along with my regular duties I am also running the website/intranet and ecommerce side of the business. This is a lot of work but it pays really well, has lots of perks, and I really love the work. All the above takes up 90% of my time. I am at my classes for a very short time (3 days a week this semester, was lucky during scheduling). The problem is I have very little time to do all the damn HW/Essays/Etc. Needless to say my grades aren't straight As like in HS. So it all comes down to one questions really... Should I take off a year or two from traditional schooling (will still take any classes required by the state for my appraiser's license, but those a very few in number and very short). to work and save up money so I could then focus entirely on schooling?, OR try and do both at the same time, OR do you have some other opinion on what I whould do? Perhaps pursue some other type of schooling? Everyone seems to want me to get a 4 year degree, but I am not 100% sure that is what I want to do... Thanks guys and please let me know if you have any questions:cool:
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
Go for the degree. There are some doors that are closed to you just because you don't have it. Although there are some places that won't hire you because you are over qualified that problem isn't as bad as they make it sound. You don't need it now, but it looks good on your buisness cards if you can put it on. You may wake up one morning and discover you HATE your job (this is common), and the degree gives you options. Do not take more credits than you can handle. I'd for go for the degree, but there is no hurry. Drop down to part time. If you can only take 4 credits at a time and still keep your grades up, then you just end up with a 4 year degree taking 10. (I strongly recomend summer school, it is more fun than regular classes and you learn the same thing) Maybe it is 6 or 8 credits that you can take. Find out what works for you. If it isn't too late drop some classes so that you get better grades. I did this a couple times myself, every time I took more than 14 credits I droped one class half way through to get under that mark. Ended up paying full price for it, but that is better than a F. It sounds like your are working for yourself. Do not be afraid to turn down work! Perhaps you can work 30 hours in your job, pay bills, and take classes. Perhaps you can plan things so that you work more hours early in the quarter/semester, and less as finals approach. (but do try to finish homework early) See what works for you. Get the degree though, if nothing else you can say you have it.
-
Go for the degree. There are some doors that are closed to you just because you don't have it. Although there are some places that won't hire you because you are over qualified that problem isn't as bad as they make it sound. You don't need it now, but it looks good on your buisness cards if you can put it on. You may wake up one morning and discover you HATE your job (this is common), and the degree gives you options. Do not take more credits than you can handle. I'd for go for the degree, but there is no hurry. Drop down to part time. If you can only take 4 credits at a time and still keep your grades up, then you just end up with a 4 year degree taking 10. (I strongly recomend summer school, it is more fun than regular classes and you learn the same thing) Maybe it is 6 or 8 credits that you can take. Find out what works for you. If it isn't too late drop some classes so that you get better grades. I did this a couple times myself, every time I took more than 14 credits I droped one class half way through to get under that mark. Ended up paying full price for it, but that is better than a F. It sounds like your are working for yourself. Do not be afraid to turn down work! Perhaps you can work 30 hours in your job, pay bills, and take classes. Perhaps you can plan things so that you work more hours early in the quarter/semester, and less as finals approach. (but do try to finish homework early) See what works for you. Get the degree though, if nothing else you can say you have it.
I think this is exactly what I am going to do. The only downside is that I'm going to have to buy my own health insurance, but I'll take that over being stress crazed all the time. Thanks
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
-
There is a large difference between a community college degree and a university degree. Every community college I know of teaches you what it will take to get a job today. Universities teach you fundamentals that don't change, and expect you to get a job by applying fundamentals to the real world. The world may change a lot, but the laws of physics are the same. Knowing todays buzzwords won't help tommorow. An O(n!) algorithm will always be slow, not matter how fast the computer. However knowing how to analyise an algorithm won't help you get a job with someone who only knows buzzwords.
Henry miller wrote: Every community college I know of teaches you what it will take to get a job today. Well, 20 years ago, this didn't seem like the case, at least for me. However, I would still recommend community college and I think it's a great way of taking care of the general ed requirements while figuring out what is you really want to do without it costing an arm and a leg. Henry miller wrote: The world may change a lot, but the laws of physics are the same. Hehe, not necessarily! Einstein changed the world view of physics with relativity, then Feinman and company with quantum physics. Henry miller wrote: An O(n!) algorithm will always be slow, not matter how fast the computer. Definitely a good point. There's definitely a balance between being exposed to problems and their solutions so you know when you're faced with one, vs. "just in time learning". JITL only works if you realize you need to learn something new to begin with. Marc MyXaml Advanced Unit Testing
-
I think this is exactly what I am going to do. The only downside is that I'm going to have to buy my own health insurance, but I'll take that over being stress crazed all the time. Thanks
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
That's great! It can get rough and I agree with the dropping classes if you need to. I just had to drop/add a class because the teacher was a little over the edge about what they were teaching and I didn't want to deal with that right now. I don't know where you live but Blue Cross seems to have good individual plans. - Drew