Comments | zair99: I'll think of a subject later, I swear.

zair99

I'll think of a subject later, I swear.

Apr 14, 2007 00:14

It's been a little while since I've posted, and even longer since I've posted anything meaningful. Also, I don't think I've ever posted anything where I haven't complained at least a little bit (damn these sunflower seeds are stale). Okay, now that we've gotten THAT out of the way ( Read more... )

jobs, school, explosions, trucking

Comments 11

skellington1 April 14 2007, 19:44:41 UTC

Hmmm...I tend to be in favor of school, but I'm very aware that I was raised with the assumption that that is what one does. No other option. Now, I think that getting the degree at some point IS a good idea (salary comparison stats between college and HS grads if nothing else), and that you can compete for a less greasy menial job if you have a degree...I don't see any harm in waiting for a bit and tackling a degree that you really want ( ... )

zair99 April 16 2007, 06:19:58 UTC

I do agree that getting the degree is definitely important. Should I go back in the fall, I'll almost certainly tack on a CS degree. If I decide to go somewhere else down the road, it'll likely be for something like that, or somewhere that caters more to my artistic side.

That's been another sticking point between myself and my mom's side of the family. They're all convinced I could never make a living doing design. Heh.

skellington1 April 16 2007, 16:31:28 UTC

Hmmm...as to the second point, I think you'd have a much, much better chance of making a living doing design. It doesn't pay buckets, but you're more likely to put time into something you love, and you're good at it!

If you need cases-in-point, feel free to point at me. ...don't tell them how much I make, because by 'adult' standards it ain't all that much, but I'm not scraping the bottom of the barrel, and the contract work I do is cheap at $30/hour.

zair99 April 16 2007, 06:32:17 UTC

Oh, and even though it's now late sunday night, if you haven't yet gone to dinner or drinks for Derryck's b-day, I would LOVE to go! Give me a call, I'm not doing anything tomorrow.

nei_tan April 14 2007, 20:46:52 UTC

dude, i hear you. that damnable degree is expensive, and after you get out (with something which may not help your job situation at all), you have no guarantee that it was worth it, and now you owe someone a shit ton of money ( ... )

zair99 April 16 2007, 06:23:44 UTC

When I go back to school, I'll make damned sure that I know why I'm there. :) That's a big part of my hesitation at the moment; I just don't know if finishing up my anthro degree then getting the heck out of there is really the right thing to do.

It does rather seem that going off and doing some trucking, saving some money, and THEN deciding how to proceed leaves me with the most options. If that's the way I'm going to go, though, I do NOT look forward to receiving the ire of my mom, Marie, my Grandpa, Kris, etc... Yech. Why can't things just be easy? :)

bluwyngz April 15 2007, 17:49:54 UTC

Well, I'd be inclined to agree with Saj and Molly in terms of computer-type degrees for more money. However, there's something to be said for getting a degree because it interests you. I'm doing this stupidly expensive degree right now because I really wanted to learn more about this sub-field. Honestly, I probably could have gotten the same jobs with or without this year's studies. So, if anthropology is something that fascinates you and the classes will add something interesting to your life, then I say finish at Western ( ... )

zair99 April 16 2007, 06:30:42 UTC

You are very right, the more information I get, the better informed my decision will be. I will have a nice chat with someone at Western, as soon as I figure out who it is I'd like to talk to. :)

As for the trucking school, classes start every couple months, and go for 4 weeks at the school I'd likely go to. It's fairly spendy; it'd be around $3000 if I could pay the money up front, or $6000 or so if I got loans through them. I won't be doing the latter option, though. If my dad can't pay the $3000, then Liz's parents have offered to loan me the $3000 so I wouldn't have to pay twice as much. :) Gordon Trucking, the folks who I'd be working for, will repay you for school over the course of 2 years, up to $4000, I believe.

Thank you very much for your response, and no problem about being a slowpoke in answering my email! It took me forever and a day to send my email, so it's only fair if it takes you a while to respond! :)

skellington1 April 16 2007, 16:38:11 UTC

If you're ever stuck in a financial situation like that and Liz' parents can't bail you out...ask around your friends. We might be more helpful than you'd think. :)

Kat is totally right about more information. Try and get enough info, organised at your disposal, so that you can feel it's more of an objective decision. That'll make it easier to defend, too!

As for the value of the 'interesting' degree - it's totally there. I didn't suggest design (particularly interactive design - learn flash! Glorious opportunities await!) because it's the money-making alternative, but because you always seemed really interested in it AND there's work.

zerovoltz April 16 2007, 03:07:57 UTC

ACK! So many loooong comments, I feel so intimidated! But, nonetheless (or allthemore) I shall leave one anyway ( ... )

zair99 April 16 2007, 06:16:51 UTC

Hehe, ya know, the whole small, medium, or large thing is EXACTLY the same as super-sizing it, only with a different name.

Anyhoo, I hadn't considered night school before. I don't know much about it (like who offers it, where, how much, what degrees I could get, that sort of thing), but I will certainly look into it! Sounds perfect for a night owl like myself.

Thanks for the reply! :)