Should I look for a new program?????

I am about mid way through my first set of courses from UNR (University Nevada Reno) and overall I like the program but I am finding it really hard to be motivated to do my work because it bores me....before I began the program I talked extensively to the program director about the types of courses/focus of the program. The degree itself is in Justice Management and I wasn't really looking for a management type program however I decided on this program after talking with the director.

Here's the thing... I could give a rats a$$ about management and the spin that was put on it for me was that I could tailor the program to be less about management and more about criminal justice/mental health etc. I was more looking for a program with a criminal justice mental health focus with some management thrown in. However I am finding the opposite to be true. Every class even my Mental Health Issues in Justice Management has more of a managerial spin. Yes I know this degree is in Justice Management and I expected management to be involved but I was told I could spin it to be less focus on management and tailor it to my needs.

So my question is..so I move on after this semester? There are other pros to this program and besides all the management focus I love everything else about it so far. I am also trying to figure out if its less of the program itself or the fact that I have WAY to many things going on right now (manly a move to Seattle WA from Kansas City in about 3 weeks) so maybe I can't focus and get into a groove because of this...

So would you move on and look for other programs or hold out and do one more semester without all the added stress of other life things?

Sorry this is long!

 

OK, so you got sold something that you didn't really want by a good salesman. Cut your losses. If this is a bad time to be involved in a big program then just take one course, something that will apply to what you really want to do. Then, when the dust settles, you can reinvest in a new program. In the end you're smart in that it only took you one semester to figure it out.

 

Very true! I just can't decide if I should cut my losses or try one more semester since this is only the first one.... and my next set of courses (at least in title) has nothing to do with management..for example I am taking Juvenile and family law as a course next semester.

 

Finish the 1st semester. Take some time off afterwards and figure out if this is truly the route you want to pursue. Keep in mind that if you want to manage a court docket for a major city court system you'll need management skills, hence the management classes. The classes you don't like is a trade off for the goal. Good luck.

 

Eilla, my take on the issue is this: You, if I remember correctly, are still fairly young, right? Right now you may not care about management, but your desires may change in the future. After you put in a number of years as an underling and as you age, you may no longer be satisfied with your lot in life. You might find in the years to come that you want to become a boss rather than an underling and you may appreciate the management aspect of your degree. Think ahead to the future and see if that might be a possibility for you.

 

Your exactly right I am young (well somewhat!) I am 29. I was trying to think ahead when I decided on this degree honestly which is why I went for it even though I really hate management crap! I thought it would have enough other things to make up for the management part and in some ways it does I just despise the management part enough to consider switching. I did go ahead and shoot an email out and I was assured that once I get into my electives courses (2 next semester ) that it will be less focused on management but more on the topics at hand with management as an underlying concept of application.

But you are very right! I could feel very different in 10 years and then the management might come in handy....... and I really don't want to go through the whole application process again.....and this degree does have perks and the major one being I can have a life while getting my masters!

 

I say that because I'm well over half way through my working years and I have a number of regrets. One of my main regrets was that I did not aim higher. I remember what got me excited at 29 was much different than what it would take now and the things I thought would satisfy me got very old by the time I hit 40. Just a thought given with the very best wishes for your happiness and success.

 

I really hope to not have those regrets! It is just hard to work on things you don't currently care about. I am trying to put a different spin on it in my head and hopefully this helps! Good luck to you as well