If you could do college all over, what would you study?

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 9:30 am

bfj wrote:I'd probably have become a teacher. Good union, not terrible pay here in MD, good benefits, can find work in most other states, summers off (or work half days in the summer for good pay). Ultimately, I wouldn't mind teaching others to teach so I can make sure the shitty teachers my Max has run into go the way of the Dodo.

I'm rethinking this. I have two close friends in the teaching world and they both started in their 30s. One got his Masters and is now a principal making pretty good cash and enjoying it. Texas has a certification that is easy to get if you have the required undergrad classes above a certain GPA. When I looked into it four years ago, I needed to take one class and it could be an intro class to Economics or something, so I think I'm going to take care of that this summer and see what happens. Having an in at one of the local high schools would be nice.

timgod99X · Post by **timgod99X** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 9:39 am

Scottie wrote:
Square Rob wrote:I still don't know what I want to be. Last three months I've grown to hate my job. Not sure if that's because of the job in general or this specific job. And I have a great boss, just sick of our company culture. But I get the feeling that most people feel that way.
Yup. Exactly.

I'm happy with my degrees but if I could do it all over again? Astronomy (Physics, Advanced Mathematics).

Although, truth be told, I wouldn't have gone to college in the first place. I'd have taken a trade like carpentry or welding; good money, physical work, and never a lack of jobs. The book learnin' can be done on one's own.

This for me as well. I've been working a dead-end job for the last six years. In that time I've gotten one raise (only because I had another job offer and I was involved in a project at the time that they needed me for). I've started looking for a job the last several weeks as things for the company as a whole do not look good long-term, but I don't know what I am looking for. What I do (I'm a web editor, basically updating news stories for a website) isn't something in high demand and our system is so outdated that I'm sure the majority of other sites use stuff that is way more advanced.

On top of that, my degree is in English Lit, which pretty much prepared me for nothing. I can read, big whoop. I went back to school a few years ago and got my CCNA, but that was at the height of the economic meltdown, so that combined with not having any other computer related experience led me to getting zero phone calls for interviews, and eventually scuttling that career change after 18 months.

I too wish I had just gone into a trade either right after high school or college even.

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 11:56 am

Icepenis wrote:
brian wrote:I would have totally studied economics/business and then stayed for grad school and gotten an MBA.
This. There's no money in engineering and I've been steered toward the business aspects of what we do. It's been strongly suggested that I get an MBA but I'm not sure if I'll be living down here at the end of 2013.

EDIT: Used stupid words in original sentence

What do you mean there is no money in engineering? You can make six-figures rather quickly in this field regardless of where you live (I work with people in gov't and private industry from all over the country who I am sure make more than I do). Or are you referring to your particular company/line of work?

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 12:46 pm

He drives choo-choos.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 12:56 pm

Keg wrote:
Icepenis wrote:
brian wrote:I would have totally studied economics/business and then stayed for grad school and gotten an MBA.
This. There's no money in engineering and I've been steered toward the business aspects of what we do. It's been strongly suggested that I get an MBA but I'm not sure if I'll be living down here at the end of 2013.

EDIT: Used stupid words in original sentence
What do you mean there is no money in engineering? You can make six-figures rather quickly in this field regardless of where you live (I work with people in gov't and private industry from all over the country who I am sure make more than I do). Or are you referring to your particular company/line of work?

I think Icepenis does engineering type work but isn't an engineer. The engineers in my office do just fine for themselves.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 12:58 pm

I'm talking big money. $150K+.

Ain't too many engineers driving around in Maseratis.

I'd consider engineering to generally be on-par or close to pharmacy.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:09 pm

Out here where I live, it seems like a high percentage of the successful folks you meet have engineering backgrounds. I meet lots of Silicon Valley engineers who do quite well for themselves. And many of the rich dudes are, in fact, engineers, although they may no longer be working in engineering, day to day. It's just that engineering was the starting point for the big dogs hereabouts, and they've used it as a jumping off point to do other things.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:19 pm

Icepenis wrote:I'm talking big money. $150K+.

Ain't too many engineers driving around in Maseratis.

I'd consider engineering to generally be on-par or close to pharmacy.

How fucking cheap is FL housing that a $150K salary would give you the leftover money to get a Maserati?

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:30 pm

mister d wrote:
Icepenis wrote:I'm talking big money. $150K+.

Ain't too many engineers driving around in Maseratis.

I'd consider engineering to generally be on-par or close to pharmacy.
How fucking cheap is FL housing that a $150K salary would give you the leftover money to get a Maserati?

With no wife or kids and no other debt? I would think you could live almost anywhere if you are making $150K as a single dude, as long as you don't have massive student loan debt, and drive a Maserati.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:41 pm

mister d wrote:
Icepenis wrote:I'm talking big money. $150K+.

Ain't too many engineers driving around in Maseratis.

I'd consider engineering to generally be on-par or close to pharmacy.
How fucking cheap is FL housing that a $150K salary would give you the leftover money to get a Maserati?

Ignore the + and completely miss the point and that's a valid point.

Anyway, as Steve said, if you really wanted a Maserati and you went to the NFL school of money management, you could get one off $150,000. It's a $110,000 or so car, divided by 5 equals 22,000, there you go.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 3:04 pm

Lets file this one under "Mister D greatly overrates the cost of high end cars".

Shrew · Post by **Shrew** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 3:52 pm

Not so much what I would have studied but I had several opportunities that I should have taken pursued. The first was an opportunity to do some sort of internship at the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. One of my professors had some sort of a relationship there and said he could get me in despite having no military background. Apparently you have to be a Colonel to get in as a student.

The second was an opportunity to teach English at the university of Lublin in Poland. Passed on both for stupid reasons I can't remember. Probably because I would miss out on parties or the bar scene. Both my parents had pretty major health problems at the time and my father was master of the guilt trip, so that probably came into play too.

If I had college to do over again I probably would have done a double major rather than pursuing something other than International Relations. I loved learning about others countries, what makes them tick, and the reasons why they do things. I think it made me a more diplomatic and understanding person. However, I surely would have benefitted from a more "nuts and bolts" practical degree like business administration.

Hodor · Post by **Hodor** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 6:56 am

Hodor

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:48 pm

brian wrote: ↑Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:08 pm I would have totally studied economics/business and then stayed for grad school and gotten an MBA.

Well horse's ass. Looks like I'm going back to school to do Brian's plan on a delayed timeline.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:50 pm

A_B wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:48 pm
brian wrote: ↑Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:08 pm I would have totally studied economics/business and then stayed for grad school and gotten an MBA.
Well horse's ass. Looks like I'm going back to school to do Brian's plan on a delayed timeline.

Aw yeah, you get to Rodney Dangerfield it?!

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:58 pm

Hell yes!

(It's a 100% online at............Boston University. Fully accredited part of a new program. The price is nearly unbeatable and will be considered same as if I was taking classes at their Questrom School on campus. Their regular MBA is pretty highly rated.)

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 3:00 pm

Good excuse to finally get that dog.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 3:02 pm

P.D.X. wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 3:00 pm Good excuse to finally get that dog.

Now that's a callback!

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 3:30 pm

Joining the dive team?

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 3:46 pm

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 3:30 pm Joining the dive team?

Obviously I look tremendous in a speedo, but I do not get this joke.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 3:53 pm

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:01 pm

Ah. My recall of that movie is not photographic.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:29 pm

A_B wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:58 pm Hell yes!

(It's a 100% online at............Boston University. Fully accredited part of a new program. The price is nearly unbeatable and will be considered same as if I was taking classes at their Questrom School on campus. Their regular MBA is pretty highly rated.)

Your daughter's dream come true, she makes a life for herself at BU and daddy moves in! (yes, I am intentionally ignoring the 100% online part).

A few of my law school classmates did a joint JD/MBA. The business school was brand new at the time, or at least completely updated and remodeled and off the charts hi-tech. We did all of our group work there as my friends had access to private study areas.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:33 pm

The Sybian wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:29 pm
A_B wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:58 pm Hell yes!

(It's a 100% online at............Boston University. Fully accredited part of a new program. The price is nearly unbeatable and will be considered same as if I was taking classes at their Questrom School on campus. Their regular MBA is pretty highly rated.)
Your daughter's dream come true, she makes a life for herself at BU and daddy moves in! (yes, I am intentionally ignoring the 100% online part).

A few of my law school classmates did a joint JD/MBA. The business school was brand new at the time, or at least completely updated and remodeled and off the charts hi-tech. We did all of our group work there as my friends had access to private study areas.

ha. I actually did ask her if she thought I would be stepping on her toes if I applied. She thought I was ridiculous and that it was kind of neat.

rass · Post by **rass** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:09 pm

That’s great

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:14 pm

A_B wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:33 pm
The Sybian wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:29 pm
A_B wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:58 pm Hell yes!

(It's a 100% online at............Boston University. Fully accredited part of a new program. The price is nearly unbeatable and will be considered same as if I was taking classes at their Questrom School on campus. Their regular MBA is pretty highly rated.)
Your daughter's dream come true, she makes a life for herself at BU and daddy moves in! (yes, I am intentionally ignoring the 100% online part).

A few of my law school classmates did a joint JD/MBA. The business school was brand new at the time, or at least completely updated and remodeled and off the charts hi-tech. We did all of our group work there as my friends had access to private study areas.
ha. I actually did ask her if she thought I would be stepping on her toes if I applied. She thought I was ridiculous and that it was kind of neat.

Very considerate of you to ask, and mature of her to say it was ridiculous.

BTW, meant to mention this months ago, but I'm pretty sure I walked past your daughter when I visited BU in October. I decided against approaching a college student and saying, "hey, I think I'm internet friends with your dad!"

edwzipper · Post by **edwzipper** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 7:10 pm

A word invented by Isaac Asimov. Robotics.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 10:18 pm

oh christ, AB is never going to shut up about college hockey

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:00 pm

Rex wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 10:18 pm oh christ, AB is never going to shut up about college hockey

Bean pot!

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:00 pm

Two things I love!

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:06 pm

Apparently you need to take a film review class. Take good notes.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:20 pm

tennbengal wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:06 pm Apparently you need to take a film review class. Take good notes.

Hey I said I’m going to rewatch! Because of you people.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:43 pm

A_B wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:20 pm
tennbengal wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:06 pm Apparently you need to take a film review class. Take good notes.
Hey I said I’m going to rewatch! Because of you people.

“You people” - goddamn college elitist

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:08 am

Holy fuck. 200 person zoom meeting and half of them feel like they needed to introduce themselves.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:14 am

Congratulations!

Go Terriers.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:48 am

Motherfuckers, I'm done.

I'm gonna walk dogs and deliver food for a bit, but please hire me when you need a guy who surfs the internet all day during work and have a position that pays 200,000 dollars a year.

Terriers. Wildcats. Cats and dogs living together on the diploma wall.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:53 am

Congrats!

rass · Post by **rass** » Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:00 am

Nice!

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:09 am

Way to go, AB!

Johnny Carwash · Post by **Johnny Carwash** » Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:12 am

Congrats, AB!