Alright, which one of you guys is this? 29 degree's!

While I wouldn't do it the way this guy did it (29 degrees in mostly related subjects), I will admit that doing something similar has crossed my mind.

There is an over-abundance of interesting DL and short residency graduate programs out there covering a staggering breadth of topics. I actually keep a list of all of the programs that I am interested in and have daydreamed about doing some of them, one after another.

It has less to do with collecting a bunch of degrees than it does exploring and learning about topics that interest me in a structured environment that I enjoy. Sure, I could just read books on the topic, and I do. However, I take special pleasure in doing coursework in areas that interest me. Interacting (even if it is just virtually) with the teacher, TA's, and other students has been really rewarding.

Also, I have found that if I am not taking a class I get a bit anxious. The whole process of taking classes is both stressful and relaxing for me. At the end of every semester I think "I'm glad that is over, I need a break." Yet 3 weeks later I am suffering from withdrawals and am anxious to start class again.

I have even gone so far as to put some of these future degree programs on a fake resume just to see how it would look. It is here that I get my reality check. While 3, 4, even 5 degrees looks impressive on a resume, 10, 12, or 15 degrees just looks ridiculous. I realized that if I went this route I would have to hide my degrees the way an alcoholic hides bottles around the house.

With all that said, if I ever make it big and cash out on some tech startup that I founded, the life of a perpetual student will be extremely compelling. Learning just for the sake of learning (without any intention of it improving your job prospects) seems especially appealing.