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Going back to college for the hell of it

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  • 07-12-2008 2:16pm
    #1
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users Posts: 23,212 ✭✭✭✭


    Well, am I mad?

    I have a degree and a masters in the computing field. I also have industry certification in the area I work in, and I am thinking of going back, part-time, to do a degree in a subject totally and utterly unrelated to my job (Humanities/Sociology/or something).

    Why? Because I have an interest in the area, nothing more.

    I am not thinking of changing careers or anything, literally doing it out of interest.

    Anyone done anything like this before? Am I mad?


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    #2
    kippy
    Registered Users Posts: 18,567 ✭✭✭✭kippy


    Tom Dunne wrote: »
    Well, am I mad?

    I have a degree and a masters in the computing field. I also have industry certification in the area I work in, and I am thinking of going back, part-time, to do a degree in a subject totally and utterly unrelated to my job (Humanities/Sociology/or something).

    Why? Because I have an interest in the area, nothing more.

    I am not thinking of changing careers or anything, literally doing it out of interest.

    Anyone done anything like this before? Am I mad?
    If you are in a position to do it (Financially and Time wise) I think its a great idea, especially if you have an interest in the subject area.
    I have found myself though that a lot of college courses do enough to put you off your interest in a particular subject area for life due to irrelevant material being taught.


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    #3
    smashey
    Registered Users Posts: 21,676 ✭✭✭✭smashey


    Well if you have an interest and the time and finance, go for it. You never know where it will lead. :)


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    #4
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users Posts: 23,212 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    smashey wrote: »
    Well if you have an interest and the time and finance, go for it. You never know where it will lead. :)

    You see, though, that's part of the "problem", if you could call it that, I don't really want it to lead anywhere.

    I just want to do it.


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    #5
    smashey
    Registered Users Posts: 21,676 ✭✭✭✭smashey


    Tom Dunne wrote: »
    You see, though, that's part of the "problem", if you could call it that, I don't really want it to lead anywhere.

    I just want to do it.
    I wouldn't call it a problem Tom. If it's something you want to do and have an obvious interest in then do it. You'll always have it and it won't be a problem. Maybe by doing it, your interest will grow even further if you know what I mean.

    Just remind yourself of the old adage - never say never. :)


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    #6
    themadchef
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,813 ✭✭✭themadchef


    I'd say go for it.

    I have a degree in Business, specialising in catering management. This year i decided to do a 2 year part time course in Irish through NUIG. No use to me in the job world, but i love the language. I live in the Gaeltacht and feel like a right egit when i can't get my teeth into a proper discussion in Irish.

    Just having the auld student card makes me grin! Though i have to say there's some difference in this latest pic and my last one (yes, i kept all the old ones). Wrinkles and baggage all the way :o


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    #7
    InReality
    Registered Users Posts: 1,374 ✭✭✭InReality


    I've done a few different courses ( 2 diplomas and a 75% of an MA ).

    In part they were to see if I was interested in doing a different career.
    But mainly I think cause I just liked learning things and am "intellectually
    curious".

    Cost of doing them was a factor however - it's an expensive hobby !.

    Think I might do 1 more MA after this one and that would be it :)

    Go for it.


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    #8
    jos28
    Registered Users Posts: 7,194 ✭✭✭jos28


    You could consider doing a couple of modules from the Oscail BA in Humanities programme. That way you can explore the different subjects within humanities and still manage to work. With your qualifications the assignments/exams would be no problem to you. I'm doing Sociology and history with Oscail and really enjoying it.
    http://www.oscail.ie/ba.php


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    #9
    ToxicPaddy
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 9,763 Mod ✭✭✭✭ToxicPaddy


    I think if you have an interest in it, then go for it..

    I know of a chap who in his 50s decided that he would love to study law, went back to Uni and got his degree simply because he had a love ot it. Worked in yachting, so his degree has very very little to do with his area of employment..

    If you have the time and money to allow you to do it, sure why not. :D

    Tox


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    #10
    rainbowtrout
    Registered Users Posts: 15,382 ✭✭✭✭rainbowtrout


    Tom Dunne wrote: »
    You see, though, that's part of the "problem", if you could call it that, I don't really want it to lead anywhere.

    I just want to do it.


    I wouldn't see it as a problem either. I started a Maths and Stats degree with Open University last year just because I like maths. Now my job is a science teacher so you could say they are related and it will be of benefit but I'm not doing it to teach maths. I'm just doing it for the sake of it (an expensive past time!) if I end up with maths classes out of it so be it, but I'm having fun learning for the sake of learning and not because i need the qualification so I can get a job. The results don't really matter.


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