What do you do for a living?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by seekinghelp, Nov 16, 2003.

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  1. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    Being new here and still trying to figure out who is who, was wondering if you might take a minute to say what you do professionally, what you're studying for, how you're paying for your education, how you fit studying into your day-time lives, etc. This is to help me motivate myself onward and upward and to know a little bit more about those of you who have been so helpful so far. Thanks.:D
     
  2. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    As a cop, I put handcuffs on people. :D
    I'm studying for a PhD in criminal justice administration so I can learn how to put handcuffs on other people by using people to do it for me. :D
    Cold hard cash. :D
    I don't have a wife or kids, so I just do it in my spare time. :)
     
  3. Cory

    Cory New Member

    I am a computer systems administrator. Basically, I keep mid-range computer systems running for Fortune 500 companies and help to automate business processes.

    Finishing up the last three credits of a BA in Psychology from Excelsior and am about to start the MS in Space Studies program from UND. I plan to follow those up with the CSUDH HUX program and the Norwich Diplomacy program as they all interest me. :D

    I spend two hours on the Metra (Chicago's suburban rail system) each day and read on the train.

    Like me again, I pay for it using cold hard cash. :D
     
  4. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I currently work as a Field Service Engineer / Field Trainer for a medical equipment manufacturer. I repair medical equipment and computer networks used to capture digital images of surgical procedures. I also help write the training classes and teach the classes in the corporate office then travel with new and experienced field service engineers to coach and mentor them to perform their job more efficient.

    I am getting my MS in Information Technology Management from TUI.

    My company pays $4,000 per year for grad school so it does not cost me anything.

    I have a lot of time to study since I travel a lot. I study in hotel rooms or on the plane. I also drive about 1,000 miles per week so I can think of ideas for papers while I drive. My wife is also a full time student so she understands the priority I put on school work.

    After I finish my MS from TUI, I plan to take classes at CSU toward an MA in Humanities. I only plan to get 18 credits, which will be for fun and allow me to teach online classes for extra money; I will pay for those classes. I also plan to enroll in a PhD program and use tuition assistance from my company. Either TUI or NCU, I am not sure yet.
     
  5. wfready

    wfready New Member

    Like Randell, I am a field service engineer, except for a semiconductor equipment manufacturer. Pretty cool job I think.

    I am in Troy State Florida/Western Region's BS Computer Science program. I have changed my mind a million times about what I wanted to major in. I just felt that computer science was a little more versatile than the other degrees I was looking at (that and this particular program took just about all of my AAS in Technical Studies (which had nothing to do w/ computer science).

    GI Bill pays for my tuition (when they feel like paying on time ;) )

    I want to do software engineering for some type of industrial controller software (preferably semiconductor industry) or avionics would be cool too. If I can't find a programming job, I will probably try to get a job as a technical support engineer (tech reps for field service engineers).

    Bill
     
  6. cmt

    cmt New Member

    I work as a security gaurd (don't like it). I am studying for a BS from COSC and then a BA from Excelsior (probably). I sell my organs on the black market to pay for exams/tuition (i.e., cash). I squeeze in studying anytime I can.
     
  7. Han

    Han New Member

    I just moved to the marketing / R&D in Pharm as my day job.

    I am going into my DBA in Strategic Management for my schooling.

    My employer pays for tuition, I pay for residency trips, etc.

    A very caring husband and mother keeps me going when things get overwhelming. (All three of us are employed at the same place, and work as a great team).

    It may sounds corny, but I did not have my undergrad degree when I met my hubby. We got married the weekend following my undergrad degree ceremony. We didn't want to get married until I hit my milestone (and wanted nothing to come in its way). I then went for the MBA - he does the dishes, feeds the animals, keeps things going on school nights. Now, going for the DBA he realizes what it means, and is cheering my on...... Pick your partner well, they will make you the person you become (and vise versa). I wish more people realized what a difference it makes!

    OK, enough of that - back to school work!!:p
     
  8. gnomic

    gnomic New Member

    Professionally, I'm an IT Project Manager

    MBA, PMP, CISSP, CISM, geek

    I'm studying for a PhD in Business. Or rather, I'm picking out where I will be studying.

    I'm paying for it all myself using student loans, unless (or rather until) I find a new employer that will help foot the bill.

    As far as study time goes... INSOMNIA CAN BE YOUR FRIEND!
     
  9. 9Chris

    9Chris New Member

    I am an Auditor for a Credit Card Servicing company

    I start my MBA at Touro on 12/8/03

    I pay out of pocket and hope that I receive a good grade so that my employer will pay me back.

    Between boyscouts, basketball and football (I have two boys ages 13/10) I squeeze it in anytime I can like now at 12:33AM EST
     
  10. chrislarsen

    chrislarsen New Member

    I am a Crisis Intervention Counselor. I help people when they are at their worst. I deal with people who are actively suicidal, homicidal, schizophrenic, have bipolar disorder, high on evil evil evil life destroying drugs like crystal meth and talking to the wind. I once intervened with a person who held police at bay while on top a 7 story building etc ... I help rape victims, people who overdose on Xanax and violent adolescents. I provide counseling and facilitate social services as-needed to anyone in my region, whether its outpatient counseling or a legal comittment to a state hospital or placement in drug rehab. I counsel people in crisis in schools, jails, homes, places of work, and hospital emergency rooms and critical care/ICU units. I counsel people before they harm themselves. I counsel people who have shot their spouse to death who then try to shoot themselves or overdose. Every day is different, every day is a new challenge, every day I hopefully help save a life or provide some comfort to a soul in pain. I am paid to be "on-call" and sometimes I am so busy I wonder how there can be so much hurt in the world and then there are times when the world seems at peace and I am not needed for days. I also do "regular" outpatient counseling with clients at my local mental health center. I have a distance learning M.S. in clinical psychology from Concordia Universityin Mequon Wisconsin. I am currently getting my application materials together for a distance learning Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Fielding Institute in California.
     
  11. Felipe C. Abala

    Felipe C. Abala New Member

    I'm an IT Practitioner with Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering background. I manage a systems development team and we support the defense force's information systems needs for its "Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul - MRO" operations.

    Currently enrolled at CSU's MBA (E-Business and Tech), and I pay for it (from my pocket).

    Can manage to study and take the exams in the evening and on weekends.

    Time management, a lot of motivation, and certain degree of self-discipline one must posses for a DL.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 20, 2003
  12. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    Wow, I thought my post had been ignored and was disappointed no one would share their situations. Thanks for your answers. This is such a varied and diverse group. You all give me hope I can get this done. I haven't even finished a bachelors degree and I'm already looking at graduate DL schools.

    I am a surgical nurse for the last 6 years. In my previous life I was a banker for 20 years. I'm trying to marry the two lives together and go for a degree using both nursing and management so I can look at doing clinical management in health care in some fashion. My husband and I also have 14 rental houses, which is a challenge in itself. Between the two "Jobs" I put in 60 hours some weeks. I worry I'll not have the get up and go to finish this dream, I'm so bone-rackingly tired some nights I can't hardly make it to bed.

    Thanks for sharing this info.:D
     
  13. Tygibson

    Tygibson New Member

    I'm a bilingual first grade teacher in Texas. I wrapped up about 85 hours of CBE while working 70+ hour weeks at a psychiatric hospital in March 2000 from Excelsior (then Regents). It took me about a year and a half, and it would have taken less had the GRE subject exams been offered more frequently. I finished my Bachelors and entered the alternative teacher certification program that Fall. I'm wrapping up my masters in May from a brick and mortar, but now that I'm married and have a child, the process is a little overwhelming at times. Luckily, since I'm a teacher, there are alot of three and four day weekends to catch up here and there.

    Gibson
     
  14. GBrown

    GBrown New Member

    I am a helicopter test pilot for the U.S. Army on active duty. As such, my schedule is ever-changing and I must be quite flexible. I sqeeze study time in where and when I can.

    I used DANTES tuition assistance and hard cash to earn my AS, BS, and MBA (all while on active duty). Now I'm using my Montgomery GI Bill to pay for my PhD studies. I have five more years until I am eligible for retirement and will be ready for another career (at least, that's my goal).
     
  15. manjuap

    manjuap New Member

    Are you planning to transfer your credits for UNA online DVD MBA ?
     
  16. gmanmikey

    gmanmikey New Member

    I am an "Electrical Engineer I", an entry-level engineering position. On a good day, I get to some design work.

    I am studying for a graduate certificate in "Communication Systems". This may turn into a master's degree.

    My company provides $3500/year educational benefit. I pay for my courses with cash & get reimbursed when I get the report card.

    I have an hour long bus ride to and from work. I usually do necessary reading on the bus. Writing with a pencil or pen can be tricky, because the bus bounces around a bit. I spend many lunch hours working problems.
     
  17. Felipe C. Abala

    Felipe C. Abala New Member

    I haven't checked it out yet. Might just complete it with CSU.

    Any opinion? Welcome.
     
  18. Laser100

    Laser100 New Member

    Senior Electronics Technician

    I work in the aerospace industry providing services to support NASA missile operations for Orbital Science Corporation. I do light design work, assemble test equipment from schematics/blue print, and test various electronic systems.

    Paul Clark
    CET,GROL,CBT,CBRE,CEA
    AS- Ivy Tech State College, Indiana
     
  19. Tygibson

    Tygibson New Member

    Oh yeah,

    I forgot to say how I paid for it all. I paid cash, but there was an interesting aside to the HOPE ed credit (I don't know if the loophole still exists, so check) that said you could take the credit as a freshman or sophomore only but credit by exam didn't count towards grade classification. So, since I was only a freshman by brick and mortar credit, and the rest of my classes were CBE, I took it both years and got my tuition reimbursed completely. My only out-of-pocket costs were tests and study guides after tax time.

    Gibson
     
  20. ternahan

    ternahan New Member

    I am a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV), a retired Chief Petty Officer with 24 years active duty in the Navy, a contract Navy Education Advisor for the last four years, and December 1st I start a new life as a GS-9 in the Training Department writing Navy formal school courses.

    I paid for my BA in Arts and Science largely by working summers in the woods as a logger (1965-69). This was pre-spotted owl when the woods were a well paying, if dangerous, sort of employment. I was able to pay tuition, room and board for 1500 a year. I looked at the fee schedule of my state-supported school the other day and it's increased by about $5000 dollars per year since I graduated.

    I used some TA for about a year and a half before I retired on a teaching credential course. Since retirement I've been working on the CSUDH HUX degree, and write my thesis next semester.
    My long term plan is to enroll at Fort Hayes State University and work on their MLS because they have an Instructional Technology focus. I may run out of MGIB before I finish that program, but the cost is so low, I have been making money on the MGIB, since I have been able to go 3/4 time for much of the Master's by taking two classes. Then I think I'm done!
     

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