Back to School for GrownUps

Well … it’s just about ….um… how the heck do you spell that word… unaminous, that’s it… thank goodness for spellcheck (in Word)…

It is just about unaminous … most people who commented about reasons to go back to school - or not - agreed that money is a big factor.

Education = better job opportunities, independence and better pay.  

Patricia found more rewarding and interesting (and better paid) jobs as a result of earning her doctorate.  CurvyQueenBee is headed for a career in Psychology; a much more attractive option than what would be available in her area without higher education. Drofen ’s on the road to a better paying career, too, as are Jenni, who is on the road to financial independence (and being an awesome role model for her daughter in the process) and melisann , who is considering a law degree.

Money is often an issue in people deciding NOT to go back to school, as well, as both Stephanie and *lynne* mentioned.  It definitely is a huge investment - in time, energy & resources - it isn’t worth it for everyone …and sometimes the time just isn’t right.

Education = change

Me, I first went back to college (computer programmer analyst) because I was totally and completely burned out in social work and mental health support services - I needed a way to earn a living that did not involve working with messed up people. No offense to messed up people…I am one on occasion …but I just had nothing left to give, and I thought I would like a little cubicle of my own. Turned out, not so much. Those that can, do …those that can’t - or can, but hate it, teach

Then, several years later, I went back, again, as a sanity strategy… I was spending way too much time at home with my mother-in-law, who had Alzheimers, and who, at the time, was altogether too fond of  being in my personal space. I was not teaching enough that first summer semester, and she was driving me NUTS. So Ross suggested I “go take a course or something”.  The rest is history …took 2 courses, got a 94 and a 97% and that was that…. started full time that fall, and have been going year round (and also teaching) ever since.

While the potential $$ is very much part of the reason Ross keeps encouraging me to go on …especially since I got the OGS (the big scholarship)… for me, it’s less about the $$ and more about the learning and the doing and the feeling that I can do well at it. And now I am totally excited about the possibility of pulling all of my ~stuff~ together and going back to where I started … making a difference in the lives of emotionally and behaviourally challenged young people. I loved working with those kids… can’t do that any more… but I can still make a difference.

Education = positive role modelling 

Jenni mentioned the role modelling aspect of going back to school… I think it bears repeating. We all want the best for our kids - and by showing them that we really believe that school is worth the sacrifice and hard work, I hope we can encourage them to make the most of their own opportunities.

There are probably as many reasons to go back to school - or not - as there are back to schoolers… but seems to me that these are the major ones, and that the money question factors in pretty consistently. What do you think? 

One of the universities I applied to for my Master’s level was York U, which is in Toronto. Geographically, it is the closest of my options - a bit closer, even, than where I did end up. I am applying there again for my PhD year - but only as a backup to Trent… if I am accepted into the Canadian Studies program at Trent, that is where I will go… probably.

Not that York isn’t a good school - when they are not on strike. They are well known for multi-disciplinary research - and Dr. Raymond Mar, one of the two psychologists whose work I come back to repeatedly in reference to my own, is there. 

But I sure am glad that I didn’t go there this year! They have been on strike since November 6. It is the TAs and contract profs that are out - so if I had gone there, I too would be on strike. Been there, done that - hated it. When the college I work for went out, I didn’t actually have to walk the picket line due to health issues - but I hated the whole thing anyway.

I teach. I love to teach. And I love to learn. Got no interest in walking picket lines, and I am very glad that I’m not caught up in this one.

At this point, the management have asked for a vote on the last offer; that is taking place shortly, and if the offer passes, classes could start again Jan. 22. If it doesn’t, it seems likely that students will lose their semester, and possibly all sorts of job and grad school opportunities. Even if it does, it is a mess - they will have to somehow cram a whole lot of uncompleted Fall semester content and exams in before they can even get started on the Winter semester courses, which for most started almost 2 weeks ago now.

Definitely a mess.