Updating the Smarty Cap
I seem to do pretty well using a Q&A format, so this update will take that form.
Q: Are you still in school?
A: Yes. Actually, I changed schools. I was attending a large community college, with the intent to take a degree that actually has the word "transfer" in the title, and then enter the business programme at Portland State. That was mostly done, actually. Also on tap was a certificate in Asian studies, which is about two-thirds complete. I may still complete the certificate, but the degree is out of the question. I reached the limit of my patience with the community college, and transferred. Now I am attending a university instead. It is not a high-end school, but you've heard of it.
Q: So what's your major now?
A: Information Technology with a focus on Business Analysis. For most of the programme I am actually considered a software engineering major. That may be "interesting".
Q: Why the technology major?
A: Because I can't stand liberal arts anymore. Maybe, if I'd gotten into a good programme, things would be different. But I didn't, and I won't, and so I'm going to do lots of maths instead. Also, it is not something anyone can reasonably call a "fake" education. It is not a psychology major or an English major or (God forbid!) a communications major. It's not even a business management major, although if I can't hack it, that's what I'll downgrade into (unlikely, but I like to have a plan 'B'). If I'm paying fat gobs of money for an education, I'd like to actually learn something.
Q: How's that working out for you?
A: So far? Quite well. I have some theories as to why the differences are so vast between what I was doing and what I am doing now, but I don't have nightmares about being sent back to high school anymore. Also, my GPA has leapt in the space of a few months from utter shit to perfect. As the upper division stuff rolls in to take a crack at my skullmeat, I have no doubt there will be slippage. On the upside (and this is a huge upside), the challenge will be intellectual, rather than a massive test of my patience for drooling idiots and drama queens.
Q: Anything else?
A: It is utterly amazing to have a good financial aid officer. I'm pretty much convinced now that my old FA advisor was a dried-up leather shoe with a bad wig, and not actually a person at all.
Q: Are you still in school?
A: Yes. Actually, I changed schools. I was attending a large community college, with the intent to take a degree that actually has the word "transfer" in the title, and then enter the business programme at Portland State. That was mostly done, actually. Also on tap was a certificate in Asian studies, which is about two-thirds complete. I may still complete the certificate, but the degree is out of the question. I reached the limit of my patience with the community college, and transferred. Now I am attending a university instead. It is not a high-end school, but you've heard of it.
Q: So what's your major now?
A: Information Technology with a focus on Business Analysis. For most of the programme I am actually considered a software engineering major. That may be "interesting".
Q: Why the technology major?
A: Because I can't stand liberal arts anymore. Maybe, if I'd gotten into a good programme, things would be different. But I didn't, and I won't, and so I'm going to do lots of maths instead. Also, it is not something anyone can reasonably call a "fake" education. It is not a psychology major or an English major or (God forbid!) a communications major. It's not even a business management major, although if I can't hack it, that's what I'll downgrade into (unlikely, but I like to have a plan 'B'). If I'm paying fat gobs of money for an education, I'd like to actually learn something.
Q: How's that working out for you?
A: So far? Quite well. I have some theories as to why the differences are so vast between what I was doing and what I am doing now, but I don't have nightmares about being sent back to high school anymore. Also, my GPA has leapt in the space of a few months from utter shit to perfect. As the upper division stuff rolls in to take a crack at my skullmeat, I have no doubt there will be slippage. On the upside (and this is a huge upside), the challenge will be intellectual, rather than a massive test of my patience for drooling idiots and drama queens.
Q: Anything else?
A: It is utterly amazing to have a good financial aid officer. I'm pretty much convinced now that my old FA advisor was a dried-up leather shoe with a bad wig, and not actually a person at all.