Kollege

[yurimxpxman]

Well, as of today (or to be completely accurate, as of yesterday, since it's 01:27), I'm officially enrolled in college. (Yes, I know it's a bit late.)

I'm not completely satisfied with the degree I'm getting, partly because they deal primarily with MS software (I don't even own a single MS product..), but mostly because a lot of the classes are geared towards using the interfaces of different software instead of learning how the programs work.

But, as everyone keeps telling me, it's not so much about what I learn (or, in this case, don't learn, considering much of the material is irrelevant to my work), but for the sheep skin. Alas, one most bear the whips and scorns of time in an institution to obtain a job (or at least that's what they say, although I'd like to start *my*own* company).

Everyone seems to "know" what I should do with my life. For instance, an individual at my church has been pressuring me to go to seminary. That's a great thing to do, but I don't believe it's my life calling.

So, for now, I'll be taking these lame courses (101 is how to use MS Office!!??). I can't wait to finally get into the job market.

I'm not happy at all with the school, to be honest, but it's the best I could find that doesn't require those foreign language credits I never got.

oh well.

[Hitman]

Whats your Major? I majored in Computer Science, and I was taking programing classes the first semester. I never had to take any "I love M$" classes. Of course that was many years ago. College gets better I promise. If you don't get your degree now when your young you will regret it when you're older. Buckle down, and Get 'Er Done. It's only 4 years, you're a smart kid you should breeze right through.

[RA1D]

ADVICE: Buckle down and get your degree!

i am 29 years old sitting next to teenagers in my classes and the biggest difference between me and them (besides age) is the level of effort. it seems crazy to me that a lot of the people in my classes don't care about being there and give zero to minimal effort to pass. if i could go back in time, i would've went to college first... instead of going into the military and then going to college 10 years later.

do yourself a favor and focus on your education. or you'll spend the rest of your life working for somebody with a degree.

[garetjax]

Dunno what college you're going to Yuri, but at Penn State, I have yet to take a class that teaches you rudimentary MS software. Like Hitman stated, during my first semester of college, I too took a programming class... I also took a database course as well as networking. I have yet to sit down and learn MS software. Everything I'm learning is IT related. I would really suggest that you look at your degree's course layout and see what exactly it is that they are going to "teach" you... not the crap that they try shoving down your throat during orientation.

Also, I feel as though I should tell you this. If you aren't happy with the school you are going to, then why are you going to it? Why are you wasting your time and your money going to a school that you beleive is not right for you? I dunno, I feel that a lot of problems could be avoided by going to a different institution than the one you chose. I mean, nothing is keeping you at that school you chose is there? You aren't bound to it, are you?

It also seems to me that you kinda went into this whole college thing willy nilly without really taking the time to do your homework, such as, finding a degree program that you really want. I would take reconsider your options right now before committing yourself to something you may regret later.

Originally Posted by RAID

if i could go back in time, i would've went to college first... instead of going into the military and then going to college 10 years later.

I'm sorry you feel that way, RAID. I, too, spent a decade in the service as well, but I never once wished that I had gone to college first. If anything, the military only made me appreciate the value of a college education even more. It truly has helped me focus on my educational goals.

[RA1D]

i agree with you that being in the service makes you appreciate college. it definitely helped me figure out the types of jobs i did not like to do. and i matured and became a man in the military but i spent too many years in a rating/job that i did not like and was not personally fulfilling. but that's my own experience, i'm sure there are many people who love what they do and i truly envy them.

but my point was that i hope yuri avoids the mistake i made and doesn't take over 10 years of working to realize that getting a degree is important and well worth the effort

[Hitman]

Different Paths for different people. In Yuri's case however, I feel that he should get college out of the way as soon as possible. Yuri you are very intelligent, I think if you find a degree program, and a school that challenges you, you will be much happier. If school just started, it shouldn't be too late to rearrange some of your classes, or even change your degree program. Remember the first 2 years of college is getting prerequisites out of the way. You don't actually start taking classes that have to do with your degree until the last 2 years. You will take a few for prerequisites that have to do with your major, but the main focus of your degree wont be until your last 2 years.

I know most "101" courses are just a repeat of HS classes, but it gets better I promise.

[JazzyJake]

have you looked at schools like UAT?
uat.edu
i know it's a bit late, but i just thought i'd mention it

[Reloadron]

Well Yuri I dunno what to tell you. Obviously the Seminary is out.

Though I know you from here as well as the other forum I saw your post in I really know little about you. I think it is great you are doing the college thing and signed up for classes. However, I think you need to be asking yourself what the hell you want to be when you grow up. No, I don't mean that in a bad or derogative way. I mean where the hell are you going with this?

Now this is interesting:

I'm not completely satisfied with the degree I'm getting, partly because they deal primarily with MS software (I don't even own a single MS product..), but mostly because a lot of the classes are geared towards using the interfaces of different software instead of learning how the programs work.

Just about anything you do in IT will somehow revolve around Microsoft. Now I know you are not quite a MS Zealot (slightly understated) but sooner or later MS will be in your life. Like it or not that is the way it is. I don't have a clue what your current job is or even your age for that matter. Hell I don't even know if you like your current job?

Don't believe a degree as in any degree is a great start to wherever you want to go. Try to focus on what you want and maybe what you want to be doing in 5 years. Get a feel for things. Make damn sure you choose a field you will be happy in. The bucks can be nice but misery in a career sucks!

This is also good:

So, for now, I'll be taking these lame courses (101 is how to use MS Office!!??). I can't wait to finally get into the job market.

OK, pretend it is Open Office and just do it! The job market comes along later. You need to make yourself worth the bucks to a prospective employer. Again, focus on what you want and where you want to go with things like a career.

Just my take...
Ron

[killswitch83]

believe me, I feel the same way, Ron. myself, due to financial woes revolving around when I went to school almost a couple years ago (back then, I didn't have electricity or a job, and looming foreclosure on my house became an inevitability), I'm finding it difficult to get back in as well. I mean damn, an AS in Computer Tech taking 7 years so far? oy, I tell you, I wish I never stopped going in the first place, but of course you know what's to be said about that: Hindsight is 20-20, and money was a good distractor (still is actually, but more on the necessity side). but yeah yuri, get the most out of your degree and make absolutely sure it's something you want to pursue.....remember, you get out of it what you put in, especially if you choose a challenging school or set of courses.

[yurimxpxman]

Thanks for the advice, all.

I know the MS thing is pretty much unavoidable, but it's annoying when the blatantly stuff every bit of it down your throat as they can (all Access and *no* SQL of any form? A year of IIS and *no*mention* of Apache, even though IIS has a *very* small market share)?

Originally Posted by Hitman

Whats your Major? I majored in Computer Science, and I was taking programing classes the first semester. I never had to take any "I love M$" classes. Of course that was many years ago. College gets better I promise. If you don't get your degree now when your young you will regret it when you're older. Buckle down, and Get 'Er Done. It's only 4 years, you're a smart kid you should breeze right through.

I'm majoring in Computer Information Systems. It has programming, hardware basics, databases, etc. It should be pretty easy for the most part.

Originally Posted by RAID

i am 29 years old sitting next to teenagers in my classes and the biggest difference between me and them (besides age) is the level of effort. it seems crazy to me that a lot of the people in my classes don't care about being there and give zero to minimal effort to pass. if i could go back in time, i would've went to college first... instead of going into the military and then going to college 10 years later.

That's something I really don't get. When you're paying so much for your education, why would you blow it off?

Originally Posted by garetjax

Dunno what college you're going to Yuri

Ivy Tech

Originally Posted by garetjax

but at Penn State, I have yet to take a class that teaches you rudimentary MS software. Like Hitman stated, during my first semester of college, I too took a programming class... I also took a database course as well as networking. I have yet to sit down and learn MS software. Everything I'm learning is IT related. I would really suggest that you look at your degree's course layout and see what exactly it is that they are going to "teach" you... not the crap that they try shoving down your throat during orientation.

The first semester has C/C++, then they go on to Java, .NET, Visual Basic, etc. They have lots of classes about Access and, for those who want it, some Oracle. The "Linux class" sounds pretty boring, lol. But at least I'll have this VB stuff just in case I ever need it.

Originally Posted by garetjax

Also, I feel as though I should tell you this. If you aren't happy with the school you are going to, then why are you going to it? Why are you wasting your time and your money going to a school that you beleive is not right for you? I dunno, I feel that a lot of problems could be avoided by going to a different institution than the one you chose. I mean, nothing is keeping you at that school you chose is there? You aren't bound to it, are you?

I've looked at quite a few places. I don't qualify for most of the good ones (like Purdue) because I never had foreign language. I visited IUK the other day and decided I was *not* going there within ten minutes. The guy there said a lot of dumb things like, "UNIX is just for big computers, unless you run Linux" and "Nothing's written in C anymore. That's why we don't teach it. That's something you have to pick up on your own." Iyiyi.. their stupidity is overwhelming. It seems that the people teaching these schools are the ones who couldn't make it in the real world.

Originally Posted by garetjax

It also seems to me that you kinda went into this whole college thing willy nilly without really taking the time to do your homework, such as, finding a degree program that you really want. I would take reconsider your options right now before committing yourself to something you may regret later.

Like I said, I looked into quite a few options. It's just that they're all pretty much the same, but this one was the least evil.

Originally Posted by Hitman

I know most "101" courses are just a repeat of HS classes, but it gets better I promise.

Yeah, I hope so. I'd like to find another school after my two years at Ivy Tech, also.

Originally Posted by Reloadron

I mean where the hell are you going with this?

That seems to be the question of the hour. To be honest, I'm not really sure. Maybe programming or maybe writing.. I'm not exactly sure yet. I'm taking both, though.