03-20-2006, 08:43 PM
Yes, it is a career change.
I have decided that I really don't like what I am doing as a career. So I just finished submitting my transfer application for a BS level engineering program in a field that is completely different than what I am doing now as a PhD. I visited the school and met with many of the faculty members who seemed a little perplexed by me. But, the head of the program was one of the most enthusiastic individuals I have ever met and seemed very devoted to graduating top notch engineers. Luckily the program has quite a few non-traditional students in it and is very small and personalized.
There is very heavy online support for the program with all lectures, class notes, home work and solutions, and test solutions posted online. In fact, some of the students work 9-5 jobs and only come to campus for tests and labs. Lectures are typically available for viewing online or at home within hours of being completed.
I have to admit that I am a little apprehensive about the whole thing. I wonder how this old brain will work when it comes to absorbing new knowledge, especially programming and embedded circuits. I know that it won't be as easy to learn as it was when I was 20. OTOH, I don't have to be worried about being distracted by hops, bongs, and coeds. Well, actually, I still am distracted by 2 out of 3 of those just not as much as I used to be. I will also have the advantage of: 1) knowing how to work 40+ hour weeks, 2) being able to speak with the professors on an adult to adult level, and 3) I don't have to take a lot of the freshman, sophomore classes because I already took them.
So now all I can do is wait and see if I got into my first and only choice school. I feel like a high school senior again except without the acne. I wonder what would happen if I applied for a visiting professor position as well? Maybe I could teach some of my fellow classmates. Do you think that would be a conflict of interest?
BT
I have decided that I really don't like what I am doing as a career. So I just finished submitting my transfer application for a BS level engineering program in a field that is completely different than what I am doing now as a PhD. I visited the school and met with many of the faculty members who seemed a little perplexed by me. But, the head of the program was one of the most enthusiastic individuals I have ever met and seemed very devoted to graduating top notch engineers. Luckily the program has quite a few non-traditional students in it and is very small and personalized.
There is very heavy online support for the program with all lectures, class notes, home work and solutions, and test solutions posted online. In fact, some of the students work 9-5 jobs and only come to campus for tests and labs. Lectures are typically available for viewing online or at home within hours of being completed.
I have to admit that I am a little apprehensive about the whole thing. I wonder how this old brain will work when it comes to absorbing new knowledge, especially programming and embedded circuits. I know that it won't be as easy to learn as it was when I was 20. OTOH, I don't have to be worried about being distracted by hops, bongs, and coeds. Well, actually, I still am distracted by 2 out of 3 of those just not as much as I used to be. I will also have the advantage of: 1) knowing how to work 40+ hour weeks, 2) being able to speak with the professors on an adult to adult level, and 3) I don't have to take a lot of the freshman, sophomore classes because I already took them.
So now all I can do is wait and see if I got into my first and only choice school. I feel like a high school senior again except without the acne. I wonder what would happen if I applied for a visiting professor position as well? Maybe I could teach some of my fellow classmates. Do you think that would be a conflict of interest?
BT