[AccessD] OT: the "Education" system

Hi Tina:

I just could not let this go by without comment. I do have a degree, of
sorts, if you count B of FA, few do. I would love to have the opportunity to
go back to school to get a degree in Computer Science but reality rears it
ugly head. With a family to keep and two kids going to university, my income
is manditory. Maybe some rich unknown relative will die and leave me a small
fortune, but that is unlikely. If someone out there is interested in
bank-rolling a wonderful family of artists and geeks, for the next four or
five years, you will receive our heart-felt thanks and I will have that
degree in Computer Science.

My two cents worth.
Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Tina Norris
Fields
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 4:59 AM
To: accessd at databaseadvisors.com
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: the "Education" system


Martin, you may have to go get that degree, just to shut them up.

After some 14 years of experience as an export manager, with a side
interest in office automation and the stuff that supports it, I one day
found myself needing a new job.  I had no degree, just knowledge.  I had
come from the midwest, where "equivalent experience" was a qualifier for
those without the academic credentials.  But, I was in New England
(Boston, to be exact), and "equivalent experience" carried no weight
whatsoever.  I actually got turned down for a position where the only
other candidate was a recent graduate with a degree and no experience -
degree NOT in international trade or business, by the way.  The
interviewer said:  "I couldn't justify choosing you over a degreed
person."  Wow!  I did go back to school at New Hampshire College (now
Southern New Hampshire University) and got my degree in Business and
Computer Science.  Now, I teach adults how to use computers - from the
complete "newbie" who doesn't know where the ON switch is, to folks
wanting to learn any of the Microsoft Office Suite programs.  I also
develop Access database applications and stuff for private clients.
 It's fun.

The thing that really surprised me was that after I had my degree, I
felt different in those meetings with other staff.  I hadn't realized
that I had felt "down hill" from everybody before the degree - but I did
notice the change in my level of confidence once I was wearing my gold
key (yes Summa Cum Laude - motivation is a wonderful thing).  So, in
your "free" time, Martin, why not enroll in a college or university that
offers a complete degree in your area of interest via the Internet?
 When you get your gold key, those pompous jerks will have to shut up.

My local college hired me from time-to-time as adjunct faculty when they
needed my knowledge and they couldn't get anyone with the academic
credentials to teach the class (summers, especially).  I still work as a
contract instructor for the Extended Education Services division of the
college - teaching adults who really want to know the stuff.

Tina

Martin Reid wrote:

>I take a Degree class for the University and I made it a "real life" this
is
>how its done in work type of course. I have ran into the most unbelieveable
>arrogance from academic staff who have never earned a penny from computing
>and yet teach many of the core subjects. I am more interested in my
students
>being able to do it as opposed to telling me how it should be done but
>actually unable to do the work when faced with a keyboard.
>
>My students are required to have 6 mths programming experience before I get
>them. Of course as I use VBA and .NET the faculty teach them Java they will
>not permit me to take an intro course in either .NET or VBA to prepare them
>for the stuff I wil be doing with them.
>
>I have had more than one row with academic staff at Board of Examiners
>meetings. I am on the faculty board and I have no Degree myself, something
>they think should have restricted my participation in such things.
>
>Martin
>
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>
>


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