That time of year...

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
That time of year...
8
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 11:44am

I don't know about elsewhere, but it's definitely feeling like fall in Boston, even if I still consider September summer (which it is, technically). It's supposed to be in the upper 80's this weekend, so the last remnants are still around, but it's in the low- to mid-50's when I leave my apartment in the mornings. Having that chill in the air always makes me want to treat myself to a hot beverage and (randomly) listen to James Taylor's October Road. I'm not quite sure why the latter, but it makes me feel cozy. :)

On another note, this September's hitting me harder than the last and I'm not sure why, though it probably has something to do with living in a student/young professional area of the city (although I work near Harvard Square and walk through it everyday). I miss school so much it aches, which is probably strange to most people. A big part of me thinks that this could mean one of two things: A, I should go back to school (which I'm thinking about anyway) or B, I should try to get into academic administration somehow.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 1:10pm
A good friend of mine is a collage professor. (I have spoken of her often) Her sister is an engineer and heading up a sub way project in Holland. Her other sister used to be a cfo at an accounting firm. Point is my friend, like her sisters, could do anything and make a bundle. She is off the charts in her IQ tests. But . . .she loves to teach. It is in her blood. She makes pretty good coin as a collage professor. Her two sisters are over 300K a year, she drifts just at the 100k mark, little more, little less . .depends on the school she is at. She chose fun over money. But her "money" looks pretty good to a guy like me. (-: Do you like to "teach", might it be you are feeling that "calling"?
We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 1:38pm

>>Do you like to "teach", might it be you are feeling that "calling"?

I'm not sure. I don't think I could ever teach at a lower age-level because I'm just not very good with children, but the idea of teaching and talking about something I'm truly passionate about (which just happens to be art history)...that sounds fantastic to me. Money....I want to make OK money, but it doesn't have to be terrific. I honestly just love academic environments and I've always loved to learn.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 2:01pm

I barley got past high school, so I really don't know the "pecking order" of degrees. What I would think is that teaching at the collage level is the way to go, and that probably puts you back in school anyway. My friend has multiple doctorates degrees. Do you need a doctorate degree to teach in collage?

Whatever, never hurts to take some classes while you chew it over. (-:

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 2:35pm

Yes, I would need a doctorate and it's VERY competitive, as far as I know. I'm going to try (as is the word right now) to get into Harvard, Brown, and I don't know where else. Most of my professors had degrees from either Ivy league schools or good art history programs (randomly, the City University of New York has a really good program), so I'm trying to shoot as high as I can, whether it'll actually work is another question. The flip side is that grad school COULD be a big financial burden, but if I got a stipend for teaching or whatever and then a part-time/work-study job (many of which get paid more than I do now, sadly enough), I could (best-case) be getting paid MORE than what I do now. That's the good thing about starting off at the bottom, there's really nowhere to go but up. :)

Yeah, my brother and I are polar opposites when it comes to school; he hated it with a passion and I always loved it. He never had the desire to go to college, I never saw an alternative.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 2:58pm

I am not implying anything, but is Harvard worth it? Big money, but are they "that much" better? Or do they just give you a label, kind of turn you into human "Mercedes"? (-: I guess when you market yourself that matters a lot . .. especially if you are going to "teach the teachers" . . .

My son is in Florida International University. . no reputation that I am aware of, but he sure is working his butt off. I thank god he is happy with the architectural program there. Between the scholarships and the modest cost comparatively I can manage the out of pocket for him so far with out student loans.

I hated school, still do. Boring, and I climb out of my skin when I am trapped within 4 walls. I always want to be doing something, not studding. (-: It is why I chose the Marines . .adventure. I think that is why I like sales too. I am out and about, meeting people, problem solving . .just keeps the day moving most of the time. I wish I had the degrees, but to this day I don't think I would buckle down and get it done. It just is not who I am. (-:

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 3:28pm

>>I am not implying anything, but is Harvard worth it? Big money, but are they "that much" better? Or do they just give you a label, kind of turn you into human "Mercedes"?

Well, that's what I said about professors, it's a competitive field and you have to have the credentials, whether it's fair or not. Contrary to popular belief, Harvard is NOT that much more expensive (if at all) than other private universities and has one of the better stipend/financial aid packages that I've seen. I didn't go to an Ivy league school (but still a prestigious private university) for my Bachelors and I do feel like I learned just as much as I could have at Harvard or elsewhere. It was expensive (though I got a LOT of aid), but my professors were entertaining, made learning interesting, and absolutely brilliant. Despite my loan payments now, I wouldn't change a thing; I think it's one of the best choices I've ever made.

>>I hated school, still do. Boring, and I climb out of my skin when I am trapped within 4 walls. I always want to be doing something, not studding. (-: It is why I chose the Marines . .adventure.

To each his or her own. I respect people who enter the military or go into a trade and do things vital to a functioning society (my brother works for a printer) because I just don't think I could do it. To me, it's a great feeling walking away from an amazing lecture or intense discussion. I thrive on it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2007
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 3:55pm
My ex-GF was like you, she just loved to learn. I met my friend the professor through her. The professor lasted longer. (-: They always told me I should go back, aside of spelling like a monkey, I hold my on in our discussions. I have always thought that if I had the discipline back when to get collage done combined with some of my "other" personality traits . . I could have made a good living. Oh well, water under the bridge, and it earns me the right to tell you school has great value . . . no such thing as too much. (-: Do it while you can!
We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 09-06-2007 - 7:47pm

I was driving home today and there were storm clouds to the north and the sun was hidden behind clouds in the west and it really reminded me of fall as well.