Comments on: Back to School? http://adrienneroyer.com/2008/05/06/back-to-school/ Everyone's Favorite Token Conservative Fri, 16 May 2008 04:08:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Heather http://adrienneroyer.com/2008/05/06/back-to-school/#comment-759 Heather Wed, 07 May 2008 18:23:27 +0000 http://adrienneroyer.com/2008/05/06/back-to-school/#comment-759 Although I am all for continuing education, I think a certificate program, or independent study - or even teaching at a community college would be better options than pursuing a degree in something simply because what you wanted to study wasn't close by. A few rationale: 1. Any of these are cheaper, and teaching a class a semester provides the bonus of not only perhaps a bit more income, but experience and reduced tuition in other courses (anything that generally interests you). 2. The broader your base, the more versatile you are not only as a person and student, but as a potential new hire at another organization. 3. There are fellowships for independent study in all sorts of areas that could allow you to debunk theories and write about social media, increasing your publication status and therefore chances of financial aid at a later point when you apply for your PhD. All that to say that education is a marvelous thing and you should never stop pursuing it - but there are lots of avenues to consider, including potentially taking this time "off" to learn through a different mechanism. If you really love school, it won't be hard to go back later. Although I am all for continuing education, I think a certificate program, or independent study - or even teaching at a community college would be better options than pursuing a degree in something simply because what you wanted to study wasn’t close by.

A few rationale:
1. Any of these are cheaper, and teaching a class a semester provides the bonus of not only perhaps a bit more income, but experience and reduced tuition in other courses (anything that generally interests you).
2. The broader your base, the more versatile you are not only as a person and student, but as a potential new hire at another organization.
3. There are fellowships for independent study in all sorts of areas that could allow you to debunk theories and write about social media, increasing your publication status and therefore chances of financial aid at a later point when you apply for your PhD.

All that to say that education is a marvelous thing and you should never stop pursuing it - but there are lots of avenues to consider, including potentially taking this time “off” to learn through a different mechanism. If you really love school, it won’t be hard to go back later.

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