University/College

[gtmtnbiker]

Don't have any current plans on going on to graduate school, but I'm not discounting it in the more distant future.

If you can, wait until you have a job before going to grad school. Many companies will pay for graduate tuition which is how I paid for mine. It's not easy to do a full-time job, have a social life and then take 1-2 grad classes per semester.

[Ack]

Actually I've graduated with a master's in Library and Information Studies, but I'm considering returning for a Master's in International Relations and then pursuing a doctorate.

Wow, that's a lot of schooling. What kind of career are you looking for?

I'm finding I'm focusing more and more on what's going on in Korea in my personal life, since my brother lives there currently (and plans to stay there permanently), and because my job as an English tutor revolves around so many Korean nationals in the US for extended periods of time. I'm also slowly but steadily becoming more proficient in Hangul, though my vocabulary is minuscule.

My state currently has multiple contracts with Korean companies related to Hyundai, so it's always possible I could get a job regarding that, or perhaps working in some sort of think tank. Becoming a professor sounds interesting as I like researching topics of interest, and I've discovered an interest in educating after working with so many Korean children.

As for how long it took...it's not that bad. I obtained my first Master's in a year and a half and could pick up the second in the same amount of time, depending on where I go to school. Because I have already obtained a Master's degree, I've had at least one political science doctoral program say they'd be interested in conditional enrollment if I took a couple of MIR courses, so I may not stay and instead move into a different program...too early to tell for that though. I've also discovered that the real world absolutely sucks, and due to the mass evolution of libraries and budget cutbacks, my chance of finding a library job is slim, so going back to school (where I've been successful and enjoyed myself) doesn't seem so bad.

[Markell1991]

@Rurouni_Fencer I want to be a Classics teacher after my degree. I've always wanted to teach in the US. What's 'GPA'? Is it the 'grade' you get at the end of your degree?

[bladerunner]

I, like Ack have a Masters In Library and Information Studies. My BA is in History. But I recently left the academic world to work in IT Security. For you guys looking at IT certs, the best thing for you to do is get on the job experience. Even though I worked in academia, I was always in an IT role. Before my current job, the only true IT job I had was as a PC Tech for a year and a half, then I moved into a less tech focused position.

Certs help, I have A+, but I did that after I was a tech, more or less to guarantee my skills to a future employer. Now with my new job I am working on GSEC (it was that or CISSIP), but mainly because it is required by my employer within the first 3 years of me being on the job. Anyway, on the job experience beats education and certifications hands down. And if you are a dogged self starter/promoter you can easily get a great job.

I feel that so much of the IT cert world is a scam to separate hard working people from their money. No employer I have worked with has ever placed that much emphasis on certs. Yes, my current job requires it for the future, more or less to validate to non-tech CEO types that I am qualified. So yes, certs are important, but the industry sometimes makes folks feel like they are a surefire ticket to a great job. That is wrong, you ability to work hard and self promote is the key. You got that, and you don't really need the rest.

It brings me to another point. I was talking with a co-worker the other day who said he insists that all his kids go to college regardless of what they want to do, even if it is to be a plumber. He only went to community college, so he somehow feels sort changed or something. I told him that with over 7 years of college, 2 degrees, and a teaching assistantship under my belt, that you really don't need a college education, unless you want to work in a field that requires one. I feel perfectly letting my child get techincal/vocational training. He/she will probably get a job quicker, make good money and have little to no school debt. If he/she wants to teach English, then they better go to school. No need saying they have to go. And I loved school! I would not have done it differently. But I feel so many kids these days waste time, money and effort on going to school only because they feel they have to. If you don't have a clear goal in mind, don't go to college. Get a job, travel and see the world, explore and live a good life working towards something you love. That is what is most important.

[saturnfan]

I am currently in a masters program for history and I should be done with that in about a year. I have one more semester of course work, then I need to take my comprehensive exams, followed by writing my masters thesis (It is like a dissertation, but shorter and less rigorous). I fully plan to pursue at PhD when I have finished.

However, I am somewhat at a disadvantage considering my two schools, Centenary and East Strasbourg University are not high on the radar and it might prove difficult to get into a doctoral program that I would want to go in, even with a 4.0 gpa.

[Xeogred]

Studying for my Net+ right now, actually - test in a week and a half. Passed the A+ exam back in December and interested in going the Security+ route. I'll tell you what I was told - take the A+, Net+, and get your MSCDST (Microsoft's Desktop Support Tech exam.) - Those are the best three to start out with.. Any idea what avenue of IT you're interested in going?

Wish I could say but I'm honestly pretty clueless about it, just still something that I think I'd find really interesting and want to try out. Network Administrator or Assistant perhaps? I'm not sure. All I can really say about the technical field is that I know I definitely hate straight up programming, so that's something I want to stay away from. But assembling/dissembling, and hands on physical work with computers and whatnot I do enjoy.

My dad knows a guy that makes a living doing in house repairs on anything and everything so I might try and see if I can work with him a bit and possibly learn some stuff. I know he was willing to train me last year but I was a little busy, so this might be a weird way to get my foot in the door, I'm not sure.

Those sound like good choices, from there I'd probably think something like Cisco+ would be next? Sounds like another essential one to me, but you probably know a lot more than me.

[Markell1991]

It looks like pretty much everyone has or is doing some kind of computer or science course. Well, I guess on a retro gaming forum that's expected. Good stuff.

[saturnfan]

It looks like pretty much everyone has or is doing some kind of computer or science course. Well, I guess on a retro gaming forum that's expected. Good stuff.

Don't forget history. When I am in my late 80s at the end of my career. I am going to write a book about the perspectives of the civil war as seen through video games. It is going to be huge.

[Harvey]

On a week from Tuesday I will have turned in my last assignment for my Master of Theological Studies degree from Duke. I have loved it here, but I will be glad to be done with the heavy workload.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

@Rurouni_Fencer I want to be a Classics teacher after my degree. I've always wanted to teach in the US. What's 'GPA'? Is it the 'grade' you get at the end of your degree?

GPA is our Grade Point Average. Essentially, yes, they're tied to the grades we get in a class at the end of the semester. Usually, (and this may not be entirely accurate,) the grades equate to: A=4.0, B=3.0,C=2.0, D=1.0, and F=0. So if you get straight A's during your first semester, you're GPA will be a 4.0, (I've heard instances where you can go slightly above a 4.0, but I have no idea how the math checks out.. A+, or extra credit maybe?)

Anyway, hope this helps. Sorry if I made it sound a bit confusing.