decided to go back to school

[KTP]

Hi guys,

I am still waiting on the job application I did with the local university, but not holding out much hope as it has now been well over a week with not even an email response. It is quite possible that not having a degree as required in the job description caused an immediate dismissal.

Anyway, not to get down, I have decided to finish up my EE degree at the same university. I have been accepted and I am going to start off slow, retaking a circuit theory course I already made an A in about 15 years ago. Should be cake as it only covers the basics (passive components, op amps, and 1st and 2nd order differential equations). I spent the past week working through calculus I and II for dummies (hilarious title when you think about it) and was surprised how much came back to me! (anyone remember ho dee hi minus hi dee ho over ho ho?)

Tuition is not *too* bad since I am an in state resident at this public university. I am curious if there is any type of tax credit we can get though? I will be paying out of pocket, no loans or anything, and our joint income is just under 200k a year. I think this means we don't get squat for tax credits?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

The Quotient Rule

Ha-ha, I had to look it up. Sorry no advice for you.

[cschin4]

Going back for your EE makes good sense provided that is actually what you want to do.

[paperkool]

Sounds Good If That's What You Want

Hi guys,

I am still waiting on the job application I did with the local university, but not holding out much hope as it has now been well over a week with not even an email response. It is quite possible that not having a degree as required in the job description caused an immediate dismissal.

Anyway, not to get down, I have decided to finish up my EE degree at the same university. I have been accepted and I am going to start off slow, retaking a circuit theory course I already made an A in about 15 years ago. Should be cake as it only covers the basics (passive components, op amps, and 1st and 2nd order differential equations). I spent the past week working through calculus I and II for dummies (hilarious title when you think about it) and was surprised how much came back to me! (anyone remember ho dee hi minus hi dee ho over ho ho?)

Tuition is not *too* bad since I am an in state resident at this public university. I am curious if there is any type of tax credit we can get though? I will be paying out of pocket, no loans or anything, and our joint income is just under 200k a year. I think this means we don't get squat for tax credits?

It’s pathetic when folk go to college solely for a job. I personally believe a college education should be to enhance what you want to learn and not only for monetary gains. “ You probably already know that acquiring large sums of money does not take a college education.” I’m happy for you, that you can learn at college what you want to learn.

[KTP]

Oh it is not for money that I am going back to finish up my EE degree, more for a sense of pride. I have always regretted not getting my degree. There might be some time in the future when having the degree gets me in a otherwise closed door, but that will just be gravy. I am really looking forward to getting back to the books actually.

[cschin4]

It’s pathetic when folk go to college solely for a job.

Why? Is that somehow an unworthy goal or endpoint? I think it is pathetic to see young kids going to college and taking up totally useless degrees and putting forth all that effort for nothing which doesn't help them down the road. A degree to nowhere. No thanks.

[cschin4]

You probably already know that acquiring large sums of money does not take a college education.

So, what is the secret to that? We want to know!

[KTP]

I was going to just do self study to finish up the gaps in my EE knowledge base, but then I starting thinking about it and came up with 3 reasons why it would be better to do it at the local university:

1) I get a bit lonely working at home and I think talking with the professor and maybe getting involved with some EE student projects will be fun.

2) I am much more likely to get something done if I have a fixed deadline than if I can just put it off for another day, week, year.

3) If I am going to do all this work anyway, might as well get the paper that says I did it. It does seem to matter in the real world, although I interviewed some EE graduates at my old job who could not even draw a low pass filter or transistor current source. And yet they have the paper and can at least get a foot in the door...

[cschin4]

If I am going to do all this work anyway, might as well get the paper that says I did it. It does seem to matter in the real world

Well, the "real world" does matter to most of us. And, what if you wife couldn't work, you got divorced or who knows what? You would want some means to support yourself.
But, really you sound pretty bored. I hope you find something that you can become passionate about. Sometimes being "retired" at such a young age as yourself isn't all it is cracked up to be.