There is more than one way to skin a cat.
I’m looking into an education alternative. I’m gathering some information with the intent of submitting an application to a different college for next semester. I’m frustrated that I have invested 2.5 years of work with a slew of liberal arts credits that won’t do anything for me employment wise.
Some of that I knew going into, but that was also different time. I’m looking at a total of 6 years to get through the bazillion credits to finish this thing. I’ve busted my ass to get the pre-req’s to get into my long anticipated programming class….only to have it repeat the same material I did in my previous class.
I’m looking into a similar situation that my wife is doing for her graduate degree. An online program that caters to non-traditional students like myself. I’ve found a couple of programs where the focus is on the nuts and bolts of my field. In addition, in this field – certifications in the various programming languages and technologies are worth their weight in gold as far as employment opportunities – JAVA II, ASP, C++, SQL, ORACLE, etc. something my current University doesn’t have available. With my current skill set and the right program a Java certification within a year is completely reasonable.
The program I’m looking at is a B.S. in Computer Science but there is also an Assoc. Degree in CS I could pickup along the way. There are plenty of low level programming jobs available…I just need a slip of paper or 2 to get me in the first door. I would like to actually make a living while working on my degree at a more reasonable pace. Homeslice needs the skills to pay the bills….this living from payday to payday – disbursement to disbursement. Is getting old.
I have kids. Young kids which take a chunk of time and attention. The flexibility of online courses are very attractive. Especially when I find myself sitting in a lecture hall surrounded by 18 year old kids who are texting, chatting, surfing the internet and sneezing on the back of my neck.
I’m also 38 years old and while I understand the concept of a Liberal Arts education….I don’t have the energy to keep taking communication, philosophy and art history classes. “I want to make things go.” I’m currently taking an art history class online. I’ve had a brutal week and didn’t spend much time preparing for the test due tonight. I spent 2 hours skimming the 200 pages of reading and printed off some art. I basically took the test cold and scored an 89 on it. I’ve picked up a few things along the way at my age.
I’m not regretting my higher education at all thus far….I’ve conquered some personal mountains. But I need to focus my energy on the nuts and bolts of my new career.
It’s time to modify the plan.
