Trying to collect more degrees - working on 7th - need advice

I may purse alternate masters degrees after I am done with this PhD but I think that is pretty common for teachers who want to learn more and teach more classes. For me its just fun and I don't expect to get much payback for it.

 

If he gets his ninth associate's degree, he'll be half-way to tying the current record.

 

And, they'll give him a second set of knives for free!

 

Yikes! You guys are quite a suspicious bunch! I have 139 credits. Associates degree requires 62, then 15 more for each subsequent degree. So, 62+15+15+15+15+15+15 = 137 :wink1: You can't tell me it can't be done, because I have actually have the five associates degrees! If it was not possible I would not have them.

I just wanted useful info on continuing my hobby. I do not go around trolling college websites bragging about my associate of general studies degrees. If you don't believe my story, that's ok.

Thank you again to the posters who made relevant contributions. They are appreciated! :smile:

 

I guess if there is very little cost and time, and this is your thing - to collect degrees - then go for it. If it's not degrees, then it will be something else, like books, electronics, vintage cars, jewelry, beer, etc.

If you're trying to cover all bases so you can be employable, then I think it's a waste of time. It all depends.

I have two master's degrees and enjoyed the coursework in both programs. But there is a point of diminishing returns from pursuing multiple degrees in different disciplines. Sometimes I think I should have gone for my PhD after my first master's a long time ago but it was a different set of circumstances that drove my decision to pursue a second master's. The end game, I believe, is to be able to teach yourself with all the skills acquired from formal education.

 

Absolutely.

 

I used to have other hobbies, like antique clock collecting (and repair). My rising student loan debt (I will be up to almost 50k debt when I'm done) has lead to a cessation of most of my moderately expensive hobbies. My main hobbies are birding, insect collecting, hiking, fishing, metal detecting, and local history. I am a man of many hats!

 

One could collect associate's degrees. Or one could collect something of value.

 

WHAT!? You are collecting student loan debt on these AA degrees? I assume that you have sufficient income to cover the debt? As another poster alluded to, having numerous AA degrees seems to most (not all but most) as an exercise in futility. Or at the very least diminishing returns.

But like you said it is a hobby.

 

This kinda takes the cake! I'm cool with killing time and collecting degrees...I don't get it, but whatever. On the other hand if your mortgaging your future and heading into risky financial decisions that will likely result in a taxpayer bailout (I'm assuming your loans are backed by the government). Well, that's just stupid and irresponsible. Grow up, get a job, manage your responsibilities like a responsible adult. Borrowing money to earn worthless degrees is ridiculous, certainly nothing to brag about.

On the other hand if these are unsubsidized and your just making foolish financial decisions you go right ahead..arguably money better spent than on say, a new car.

 

Well, as long as he's not harming anyone, collecting asociate's degrees is okay.

 

One could also get a degree instead of talking about it.

 

No argument there. I wonder in what universe, however, doing such a thing--and posting it all to one's website--creates a positive outcome?

 

You asked for advice. Before jumping to conclusions, are you gainfully employed and do you make a six figure income? Do you make more than six figures? You said you had expensive hobbies. In the end, it's all about costs and benefits (both accounting and economic benefits).

 

I don't think I'm being understood very well. The 50k debt is from my BS and MS, not the associate degrees. I have not spent one penny (literally) on any of the associate degrees I've gotten. I had no associate degrees whatsoever from my time actually being at the CC. I just recently learned that I could transfer university credits back to my old CC to get extra degrees, provided I met the credit and program criteria. The classes I did take at my CC almost three years ago were taken specifically for the BS degree program I was transferring into.

In any case, this discussion has degenerated to the point I no longer wish to participate. I was not looking to debate my credentials, finances, or hobby choices; I simply was looking for advice.

Final thanks to the mature academics who responded: to all the trolls :wave: bye bye!

 

Great! Then it's a hobby. It's what you do. Enjoy and all the best.

 

To each his/her own. If the OP wants to collect degrees it is no better or worst then my friend. He loves to find old muscle cars, fix them up, and flip them. each car takes him a few months. He loves fixing it in every spare hour he has (I think he just loves getting away from his wife), sinking money into it, finding just the right paint job, etc. After a few months of work and $20-25K on each car he sells them...usually at a loss of ~$5K. He complains about losing money and does it again. The benefit - he just loves doing it.

 

Another satisifed person beaten down because their plan does not fit into someone elses mold...what a great forum to visit.

 

My point exactly. And the OP said the additional Associate's degrees didn't cost him anything. He just likes to collect them.