I'm thinking about going back to school again

[Tobin S.]

There's a branch of Indiana University here in Richmond. They offer a few online programs which would probably be the way I have to go. They are:

B.S. in Business Administration
B.A./B.S. in Communication Studies
B.S. in Criminal Justice
B.A. in English - Technical and Professional Writing
B.A. in Natural Science and Mathematics - Mathematics
Bachelor of General Studies
Graduate Certificate-Composition Studies

I have a natural aptitude for business. Before I met Jen I was running my own small business and making a decent living even though I don't have any formal training at all in business. The problem with running a business is that you usually have to sacrifice a lot of your personal time, including family time, to make it work. That wasn't much of a problem before I met Jen, but now days I like to spend as much time with her as possible. Of course, you don't have to own a business to work as a business man. But I know what people working in those fields have to do sometimes as a part of their jobs and I don't think I have the heart for it.

For those of you who know me, the English degree might seem like the perfect fit. I can write short stories and essays all day long and I don't have much formal training in that either. With a little guidance I might turn into a good writer. There is a problem, however. I do have some experience with writing scholarly papers from a previous stint in college and I'm not very good at it. Besides reading, that's where most of the work is as an English major. I could probably get through that aspect of the major, but my G.P.A. would likely suffer.

I got A's and B's in math in my previous time in college up to calculus, but I've forgotten everything beyond basic algebra so I would likely be starting all over with a degree like that. I'm also not sure what I would do with a degree in math. But, if I could, the degree I'd like to pursue would be in science. A degree in math might be the closest I can get to that.

Criminal justice? I've got a record. :)

Communication studies? I might have to check into that one a little more. I don't know much about it, but it seems to me that course work in communications would require some public speaking. I don't know how they work around that.

I'm not a graduate student.

A bachelor's degree in general studies seems like a waste of time, but maybe you can enlighten me.

Here's a link if you want to look it over http://www.iue.edu/finish/programs.php

Let me know what you think.

[rug]

1. BA English/Writing

You're a natural for this class:

ENG-W 405 Writing Prose Nonfiction (3 cr) Study and practice of the essay. Review historical, thematic, and stylistic range of the form, with emphasis on producing effective, precise communication of thoughtful, informed personal essays. Offered occasionally

You probably have more actual business experience than most so screw that unless you want to go into management or finance so you can screw others. Which you don't.

When my wife went there, she would have eventually had to take classes in Bloomington to finish the BA. Is that still the case?

[Tobin S.]

2. Thanks, rug

No those courses are 100% online. I can finish my degree literally in my living room.

[elleng]

3. My thought is, Why

are you thinking of going back to school? Might the answer to that help you decide?

From what you've said, Science/Math might do it, and so what if you'd have to 'relearn?' That's life anyway.

Have fun + keep us informed!

P.S. IU/Bloomington was my favorite, for daughter; great school. She stayed East instead.

[Tobin S.]

4. Because I want something beyond what I'm doing now

and if I stay the course it just won't be attainable.

[Tikki]

5. My major was Anthro, but my University level English...

course was an Asian/Native Prose class...and even though I had been writing
about the West Coastal Cultures and their Arts, I hadn't read very much of
their actual writings.
Maybe it was the Professor's choice of books to read or her impassioned
lectures, but I fell hard and heavy for this subject.

You can find that same passion in your course work and you are way ahead
of many because you know what it takes to write from the heart.

If there is any way you can check out the course material or talk to someone
who has had the course already, that might give you an idea of what to expect.

They say your BA is as much about discovering who you can be as it is about anything.

Keep us posted. :)


Tikki

[MilesColtrane]

6. If you're looking at a undergrad degree to increase your financial security, I would think that...

The B.S. in Business Administration or B.A. in Natural Science and Mathematics would be the best out of the available choices, imo.

[LiberalAndProud]

7. Take a pencil to it.

If it's about money,
How much will your degree cost?
How much "excess" will you have to earn over time to pay for the degree?
Will the degree pay for itself over time?


If it's about self-fulfillment and the sheer pleasure of learning,
What is it that you would love to know more about?


And if you start, finish.




Those would be my words of advice.

[Tobin S.]

8. It's as much about quality of life as it is about money

Hopefully I can do better than $12.35 an hour with any of those degrees. But that kind of money is getting me by right now (amazingly) and there will be raises in the future if I stay there and do a good job.

Self-fulfillment? Yes, indeed. I feel like I can do more with my mind than I'm doing right now. I guess I could continue with my hobby of writing and be a self-taught artist and it might be enough. But it would be really cool to make my living with my mind instead of my back.

[LiberalAndProud]

9. In these times, you'll find yourself lucky if you can match your wages now.

From your talent, I would encourage B.A. in English - Technical and Professional Writing, although I don't know how many opportunities there are in the field today.

Business Administration for the general applicability is good, and Criminal Justice because there will probably be a ton of opportunity in that field as we continue to expand our prison population.

Good luck. I hope you make a good choice, Tobin.

[bluedigger]

10. Writing.

I looked at the program, and if you can get through the first semester, it's mostly lit classes until the last semester. So the hardest part for you should be at the start, when you are most motivated. Then, it's cake. No matter what you do later in life, these will be good skills to have, and with your natural talent, they just might be valuable to you!

Good luck!

[graywarrior]

11. English/Writing

That's what I'm doing right now.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. Good luck, my dear Tobin, no matter which course you take!

Enjoy your path...

The rest comes with that.

:hi:

[JonLP24]

13. Good luck

I almost wish I didn't. The financial aid is coming after my classes already started so I'm behind. Luckily the computer usage and application gives me 16 weeks to finish with no time limits for assignments & tests except for the end date. Reason I'm behind is I can't afford the books unless I have financial aid and I don't have the aid yet. :(

[lunatica]

14. Thinking on a practical level I think Technical and Professional Writing

might be a very good fit. You already write and understand the basics, like staying on point, developing story, etc., so learning a different way of writing for technical subjects would come easily since it would basically flesh out what you already have. Also it's the type of work you can do from anywhere without having to go to a job site. You don't strike me as the kind of person who wants to be tied down to an office.