Life Decision - I need some objective advice

[930addict]

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[HardDrive]

No. Finish the degree. No question. Throwing away credits is a poor idea. I have my undergrad degree in Pre-law. I knew starting my senior year I had no interest in law. It didn't matter.

Skip ahead to today. I have a masters degree(MS) in MIS. I am a network engineer for a company that provides services to Microsoft and does training. I can't tell you how many jobs in IT require a college degree. One of the most skilled developers I know, with years of experience is going back to get his BA right now, just because it holds him back. Frankly, I think its a bit silly, since many of the companys don't even care what the degree is in. MCSE with a degree in underwater basket weaving? Fine with us.

Stick it out. The BS will be worth it. It an extremely valuable asset that can never be taken away from you, and it opens doors. I have run into folks in IT who try to bull**** themselves and say, "Well, if I have the experience, it shouldn't matter what degrees I have." Blah, blah, blah. It DOES matter.

Like you, I would love to go back and get a technical degree in an engineering discipline or physics, but that is a damn long road. I am not saying don't do it, but do it when you already have a trump card to play.

Just my 2 cents.

btw, I think you freaking rock for having guts and the desire to invest in an education.

[nostatic]

i got my ph.d. in chemistry. For the last 5 years i have run a new media research center. You never know where you'll end up. College (and grad school) are supposed to teach you how to learn and how to solve problems...not a bunch of facts. Also, it shows that you have some level of discipline. Finish.

[mikester]

That degree will open a lot of doors for you in higher management and higher technical areas. If you only have 11 classes left the return on investment is hard to ignore. I'm pretty much in the same boat as you except that I do enjoy what I do.

I also go to school part time (at night) and have about 14 classes left. My suggestion would be to finish what you started not for the sake of just finishing it but for one - it is a very good example to your children. For two - it will open doors for you to prosper. Then; get a master's degree in something you like or study something you like for fun. I always wanted to get a math degree; not going to really be helpful to me though simply because I like the industry I'm in. I also like math and physics so I study those things as time allows for fun (crazy eh?).

[kaisen]

I agree with HardDrive. It sounds like you have the time and support to finish, THEN maybe finish a second degree over the next couple years.

E

[cstreit]

Definitely finish. You can always add-on another degree more easily.

You'll be very marketable with that degree and your degree doesn't always define your career (though physics might be a stretch). One of the best IT guys I know is a History major.

[island911]

Originally posted by nostatic
... You never know where you'll end up. College (and grad school) are supposed to teach you how to learn and how to solve problems...not a bunch of facts. Also, it shows that you have some level of discipline. Finish.

Yep.

There are certainly guys like Wayne who can spot talent outside the label. Problem is, they usually use you for your talent, but pay you for your label.

[kaisen]

Very true Island911!

[MikeSid]

You are pot committed. Play out the hand.

[cbeers]

Good advice here, I did the same thing - kind of. I too, was the first in my family to go on to college. I did it all myself, which meant taking some quarters off to work so that I could afford more school. Took FOREVER, but it was worth it and I think will pay off. Already has to some extent.

Finish this and then see what you want to do next. Another example of degrees not fitting jobs, my Controller at this company has no Accounting degrees of any kind, he has a BS is PSYCHOLOGY !!!!

Go figure.....


best of luck 930


-Chris

[gavinlit]

If 11 subjects will take a semester or two then just finish it off. You will then have a qual that will open further doors for you. I probably only use 15% of the content I gained in my degrees within my job but would not have the job (which I enjoy) without the degrees. Nothing to stop you enrolling in a diploma/grad cert/degree in the areas of your interest later. Get that bit of paper.

[Hugh R]

Get the degree, I've heard its worth a million bucks in earnings over a lifetime versus not having. My brother was a technician at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, and he languished for years until he got a general business degree, now he is a manager of their environmental test chamber operations. He's 46 and got his BS at 40 and wished he'd got it at 22.

[Evans, Marv]

I'm the first in my family to get a college degree, did it all myself, etc. etc. There is a point of no return. You're an adult now, and that should mean you can do some self motivation on an intellectual level rather than needing to on an emotional level. A couple of semesters is nothing when you look back on it some time from now. After you finish, take some of those math, chemistry, physics classes (or maybe a couple in between the ones you are taking now) and see if you might be interested in a graduate degree. I learned more about what made the world tick from chemistry and physics than any other classes I took in college.

[kycarguy 935]

Finish what your already working on and go from there. Im starting back to school this semester also to better myself in a different field for the future, and I really enjoy the new field I'm going into.

[fintstone]

Get the piece of paper...it is the ticket to get into a position where you can prove how good/smart you are. Lots of folks will not even talk to you without credentials.

[alf]

I am in a similar situation myself. I got hired out of my MBA program during my Summer internship; have about 10 classes to finish it. Have been chipping away at it through night classes over the last several years. My experience is worth more than the degree will ever be at this point, but i do not like loose ends. So i am going to continue chipping away at it one night class at a time, and my company is paying for 100% of it. Frankly, it is fun to be in night school. Sort of like doing mental gymnastics

Do what makes your happy.

alf

[Moses]

I'm feeling particularly cranky today, so I'll tell you what I really think.

Your father has done you no favors. Not only did he dismiss your academic potential, he used your labor for six years. You made a sacrifice, he made none. I'd love to have a private conversation with your dad about the real meaning of fatherhood (like putting your childs needs ahead of your own.)

Complete your education. You have the proper motivation and skills. Education will transform your life and open doors you never knew existed. You said you felt as if you had a "higher calling". Reach for the stars. You will never regret it.

[Dixie]

Objective advice: "Going through life fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to live."

[artplumber]

Biggest question is what do you think you'll do with a physics degree? It may be fun, but you may not be able to pay the (same) bills that you used to. When I graduated all the R & D money was in high energy, which frankly wasn't that interesting to me. All the other money was in applied stuff (engineering) which was ok, just not what I wanted to do. And frankly, the money just wasn't that good - you sure wouldn't be able to own a home in the Bay area with it.

When you look at the final goal, it will be a lot easier to make a decision. I've changed directions over my educational career and spent a few more years in the pipeline because of it. On the other hand, if I had simply "stuck with it" the extra years would have been a lot more.

[Moses]

Originally posted by 930addict
he did everything else right - it's just one of his little quarks.

Glad to hear it!