Going back to school?
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Current situation: -age: 31. -education: some certificates, degree in electrical engineering (automation). -experience: 5+ in software and DB development. I feel stuck (career wise) for many reasons and I am thinking to continue my education in field closer related to my current work. Why I have second thoughts? Money, schools and courses available in my geographic area are sort of limited, family... Can anyone share their experience or thoughts if they were in similar situation?
I did aged 26 and it wa the best thing I ever did from the point of view of the career. I read a MSc in computing, being a year long it wasn't too heavy on the pocket. Luckily for me there were several good Universities nearby so I didn't have the same constraints as you have. The UK has the Open University[^] they [certainly used] to award degrees from residents of the Low Countries, perhaps they are fully European/international now. Hard work though!
Sort of a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Dilbert.[^]
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A Dead ringer for Kate Winslett[^] -
Current situation: -age: 31. -education: some certificates, degree in electrical engineering (automation). -experience: 5+ in software and DB development. I feel stuck (career wise) for many reasons and I am thinking to continue my education in field closer related to my current work. Why I have second thoughts? Money, schools and courses available in my geographic area are sort of limited, family... Can anyone share their experience or thoughts if they were in similar situation?
Oshtri Deka wrote:
I am thinking to continue my education in field closer related to my current work.
Well what field is that? It might depend on this.
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" — Hunter S. Thompson
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Dalek Dave wrote:
Evolutionary Biology
I take it you said the courses were related to taxonomy?
This is not the age of reason, this is the age of flummery, and the day of the devious approach. Reason’s gone into the backrooms where it works to devise means by which people can be induced to emote in the desired direction.
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You may have constant nightmares and you will probably die of either anxiety attack or malnutrician just before final exam! On the other hand, you get to study with young and cute classmates, maybe it is worth the risks. :)
Xiangyang Liu 刘向阳 wrote:
On the other hand, you get to study with young and cute classmates, maybe it is worth the risks. :)
He-he-he, my woman has same concerns :D, but most of the tech and CS students are male.
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I just turned 40, and just graduated with my associates in programming(bachelors being continued) I was a crane operator for 20 years so it was a total career change not even a sideways move. Point is, if you want it, do it. Money was limited here as well as was many other things. I also have a family with three teenage boys. The family got behind me and took pride in what I was doing even though they knew they would have to suffer right along with me(doing without etc...). Now they can see a little pay off as I am currently on my first job as a developer and am making as much as I ever made in construction, with up being the only way to go now. I had to go to a school that has a low reputation in this area because of many factors. I just strove to be good enough to overcome their reputation and build my own. With a few teachers recommendation letters(including one who had never given one before me in 6 years of teaching) I was able to move into this field and am now working on building my personal reputation and skill set. With some experience you should have less trouble in that department so go for it.
Programming is a race between programmers trying to build bigger and better idiot proof programs, and the universe trying to build bigger and better idiots, so far... the universe is winning.
:thumbsup:
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In the US, from what I'm aware of, most companies will only help out with college courses that are directly related to the work, and for most people this tends to be MBAs, which, as a college degree, is pretty lame way to be spending your free time "learning".
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
Jim Crafton wrote:
for most people this tends to be MBAs
MBA here is (I believe) overpriced and doesn't offer value for money. There is inflation of MBA schools, but still they increase their fees almost every year. :^)
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Oshtri Deka wrote:
I am thinking to continue my education in field closer related to my current work.
Well what field is that? It might depend on this.
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" — Hunter S. Thompson
IT, software and DB development, the usual...
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Dalek Dave wrote:
Evolutionary Biology
I take it you said the courses were related to taxonomy?
This is not the age of reason, this is the age of flummery, and the day of the devious approach. Reason’s gone into the backrooms where it works to devise means by which people can be induced to emote in the desired direction.
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Current situation: -age: 31. -education: some certificates, degree in electrical engineering (automation). -experience: 5+ in software and DB development. I feel stuck (career wise) for many reasons and I am thinking to continue my education in field closer related to my current work. Why I have second thoughts? Money, schools and courses available in my geographic area are sort of limited, family... Can anyone share their experience or thoughts if they were in similar situation?
I did a postgrad diploma with the Open University in the UK a few years back. I've been thinking myself that I'd like to know more about/get into finance/accountancy and that I might try to do a degree when life quietens (if that's even a word) down a bit. I know what it's like spending the time sutdying after work, but I've also acquired a GF/Fiancee since i did that post-grad. OT: one of the guys in work pointed out to me this week that Fiancee is missing a letter: Financee
Pete
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I did a postgrad diploma with the Open University in the UK a few years back. I've been thinking myself that I'd like to know more about/get into finance/accountancy and that I might try to do a degree when life quietens (if that's even a word) down a bit. I know what it's like spending the time sutdying after work, but I've also acquired a GF/Fiancee since i did that post-grad. OT: one of the guys in work pointed out to me this week that Fiancee is missing a letter: Financee
Pete
OU seems nice, I've even found degree which fits nicely within my interests, but I cannot afford it. :(( Almost 14k £, I earn less than 1k a month and have a mortgage to pay and eat.
