NationStates Jolt Archive

A couple of people have questioned my motives lately for wanting to go back to school and take a degree in law. One even suggested that I was being incredibly selfish because of the upheaval it was going to cause in my family's life. (these are folks in RL, not on NS...don't go hunting them with pitchforks:)).

So I thought about it. I mean, I make a fair amount of money as a teacher...not great, but the hours are fairly flexible. This job in particular is as cushy as they get, but I loathe it with every fibre of my being. Whatever my reasons are for wanting to go back, is it worth it? I'm not doing it for further financial gain, so the outcome will not necessarily improve our standard of living. Am I just being greedy? WTF?

A couple of people have questioned my motives lately for wanting to go back to school and take a degree in law. One even suggested that I was being incredibly selfish because of the upheaval it was going to cause in my family's life. (these are folks in RL, not on NS...don't go hunting them with pitchforks:)).

So I thought about it. I mean, I make a fair amount of money as a teacher...not great, but the hours are fairly flexible. This job in particular is as cushy as they get, but I loathe it with every fibre of my being. Whatever my reasons are for wanting to go back, is it worth it? I'm not doing it for further financial gain, so the outcome will not necessarily improve our standard of living. Am I just being greedy? WTF?

Greedy? How greedy? I'm assuming you mean something other that avarice or gluttony here. :confused:

how is that being greedy? I don't understand...

You shouldn't be a teacher if you don't like teaching. I usually hate teachers like that. Not to say that I hate you of course, I just don't think you should be doing that job if you don't like it.

You shouldn't be a teacher if you don't like teaching. I usually hate teachers like that. Not to say that I hate you of course, I just don't think you should be doing that job if you don't like it.
Oh, that's easy to clear up. I'm employed as a teacher right now, but I'm not teaching. Which is why I hate it. I love teaching, and right now I'm a glorified um....internet surfer I guess.

how is that being greedy? I don't understand...
Because I've already got a degree...what do I want with another one (as the question was put to me). And it means moving my kids around, and getting a new babysitter and blah blah blah...it's going to be a bit crazy for a while.

Well, although I can't speak about your motives with any certainty, people who switch careers, especially from something like teaching to something unrelated like law, rarely do it out of greed. I don't think you're being greedy. Yeah, you'll have to study a lot more, possibly meaning less time with the kids, but do they support you? If so, go ahead and do it without reservation and have as good a time as possible with it.

Because I've already got a degree...what do I want with another one (as the question was put to me). And it means moving my kids around, and getting a new babysitter and blah blah blah...it's going to be a bit crazy for a while.

I would have thought the reason for having two degrees is obvious - if someone brags that they have a degree, you can say "hah! I have two! Pwn3d!"

Anyway, just decide whether the pros outweigh the cons. What do you want to make of your life?

Yes Sinuhue. You are greedy. You're greedy for not bowing down to more (of your families if I miss my guess) unreasonable demands that you should do everything for everyone else and nothing for yourself. You're greedy for wanting to improve yourself at the expense of catering to everyone else.

I no longer have any respect for you.






























*sarcasm*

Anyway, just decide whether the pros outweigh the cons. What do you want to make of your life?
Oh, that's simple. I want to rule the world.

No, really, I just want to stop getting fucked over by people who know you don't understand how to protect your rights. If it were about money, I'd go into Family Law and screw people over during their divorces. Instead, I want to go into aboriginal law, immigration and labour law, with a little human rights sprinkled over the whole thing. I want to watch those smug smiles melt away when I smash them with the hammer of the law........

My husband is going back to school right now, and sure it has added some extra stress, but I would feel selfish if I tried to stop him from going back.

As a general rule, people who say you are selfish for going back to school, are jealous.

Oh, that's simple. I want to rule the world.

No, really, I just want to stop getting fucked over by people who know you don't understand how to protect your rights. If it were about money, I'd go into Family Law and screw people over during their divorces. Instead, I want to go into aboriginal law, immigration and labour law, with a little human rights sprinkled over the whole thing. I want to watch those smug smiles melt away when I smash them with the hammer of the law........

Using the law for good? I'll drink to that!

My husband is going back to school right now, and sure it has added some extra stress, but I would feel selfish if I tried to stop him from going back.

As a general rule, people who say you are selfish for going back to school, are jealous. I just hope I'm in the financial position at one point to let him do a degree:)

It just kind of surprised me...my husband totally supports me, the kids are too young to know the difference, but I had three people in three days act as though I were being a selfish bitch for going back. Left field doesn't even describe where I felt those comments came from, and I was unprepared. Good to know (so far) that people don't think I'm a horrible person for this.

Oh, that's easy to clear up. I'm employed as a teacher right now, but I'm not teaching. Which is why I hate it. I love teaching, and right now I'm a glorified um....internet surfer I guess.

Maybe you should find another school to teach at.

Using the law for good? I'll drink to that!
For that, I'm willing to put up with all the lawyer jokes I'm going to hear.

This is all based on the unfounded (at this point) supposition that I will even be admitted:(

Maybe you should find another school to teach at.
I'll have my permanent certificate in this province at the end of this year. I can always come back to teach, and I probably will.

Life is about change. As long as change is managed well, it doesn’t have to be overly stressful. And from what I’ve read, you’ve put a lot of thought into how you might enrich your children’s lives by getting an ethnic nanny that can help them learn another (third? fourth?) language and introduce them to new cultures.

The people who think you are being greedy – do some of them really think you shouldn’t have a career outside the home, especially with your husband having to be away for work a lot?

For that, I'm willing to put up with all the lawyer jokes I'm going to hear.

This is all based on the unfounded (at this point) supposition that I will even be admitted:(

Well, I don't know how they judge applicants at wherever, but I would think that if you show enthusiasm, they will see you as someone who will put in the work necessary to get a good degree - and make them look good.

Oh, that's easy to clear up. I'm employed as a teacher right now, but I'm not teaching. Which is why I hate it. I love teaching, and right now I'm a glorified um....internet surfer I guess.

Oh dear. Wait, you get paid to surf the internet? That sounds like the ideal job.

Maybe it gets old.

Anyway, if you think you'd find law more enjoyable than what you're doing now, go ahead and do it. It's your life.

I just hope I'm in the financial position at one point to let him do a degree:)

Er... if you can't afford for him to do a degree right now, why can you afford to do a degree?

Er... if you can't afford for him to do a degree right now, why can you afford to do a degree?

I'm guessing because at the moment they can afford to lose Sinuhue's salary, but they can't afford to have only Sinuhue's salary.

The people who think you are being greedy – do some of them really think you shouldn’t have a career outside the home, especially with your husband having to be away for work a lot?
Yes. That is exactly what they think. Not accepting the fact that if I stayed home, I would go insane and take my poor kids with me.

Oh dear. Wait, you get paid to surf the internet? That sounds like the ideal job.

Maybe it gets old.

Anyway, if you think you'd find law more enjoyable than what you're doing now, go ahead and do it. It's your life.
That's the thing...it's not just my life anymore. That ended when my first daughter was born. But I need to just tell everyone that is not in my immediate family to frick off. It's hard for me though...my people are more attached to extended families than others, and I can't really shut them out...but in some ways I have to. Rah!

And it gets old...SO old. Think of it this way...when I finish this job I'll have posted on NS for two years straight. Fun as that is, my Dob I should be doing something productive with my life.

Er... if you can't afford for him to do a degree right now, why can you afford to do a degree?
Because he easily makes double what I do...if not more. That means he can support us, and pay tuition. If it were the other way around, it's doubtful I could do that.

<<HACK>>

Am I just being greedy? WTF?


Gaining useful knowledge to better yourself and your family greedy?

No- I dont think you're being greedy. I'm supportive and behind you pushing hard all the way.

Gaining useful knowledge to better yourself and your family greedy?

No- I dont think you're being greedy. I'm supportive and behind you pushing hard all the way.
:eek: :D

Because he easily makes double what I do...if not more. That means he can support us, and pay tuition. If it were the other way around, it's doubtful I could do that.

I see. Makes sense.

And it gets old...SO old. Think of it this way...when I finish this job I'll have posted on NS for two years straight. Fun as that is, my Dob I should be doing something productive with my life.

I assume you meant Job?:)

And anyway, why is it you are earning money to play NS? Why aren't you able to teach?

:eek: :D


See-you're a good student-paying attention, reading between the lines...

I love to learn,though I hate to be taught.

Yes. That is exactly what they think. Not accepting the fact that if I stayed home, I would go insane and take my poor kids with me.

In that case, I would take any comments they have with a grain of salt. It's not the upheaval that bothers them, but the fact that you work outside the home at all. Upheaval is an excuse to make you feel guilty about your choice.

That's the thing...it's not just my life anymore. That ended when my first daughter was born.
You raise a great point. But the very fact that you understand that is why you need to do it.

Your family is a huge part of your life. You don't like what you are doing. Therefore, you aren't happy. Therefore, your family sees this. They want you happy. Therefore, you should do what will make you happy.

You, as a teacher, understand better than most how important education is. It isn't about the degree, its about what comes before the piece of paper. Getting more education is always, always, ALWAYS valuable.

I think you should do it. You are in no way being greedy by desiring something new.

My personal family just went through this kinda thing. I'm at BU, the most epensive university in America. My sister is at Northeaster, pretty high up on cost. My dad is a doctor, so he makes good money, but nothing outrageous (internal medicine, general practice doesnt make tons, plus he has many medicare patients) My mother wanted to go to massage therapy school. My mom asked my dad if it was possible. The first time, it was "I don't think so". Then my mom made it clear that this was a passion of hers, something she desperatly wanted to do for many years, and she was finally able to do it. My dad found a way (god knows how).

The point is, it is your family. You have made it pretty clear this will make you happy. Is my mom planning to leave her nursing job for massage therapy? Probably not. Atleast not right now. But is it making her happy? yes. Me and my sister have made sacrifices, as have both my parents. She is my mother and I want her to enjoy what she does, same as she wants the same for me. Your family, I think, will feel the same.

I see. Makes sense.



I assume you meant Job?:) No, Dob is the name I use in place of God, since I'm an atheist wench. For Dob's sake, in the name of Dob, you know. Dob doesn't mind if I take her name in vain...at least, she hasn't struck me down yet:)

And anyway, why is it you are earning money to play NS? Why aren't you able to teach?
*draws herself up haughtily* I, sir, do not PLAY NS. I debate, I discuss, I de...a whatever. Truth is, I'm at a distance ed school that is widely know as the retirement centre for teachers. They don't WANT me to do anything...because every time I do, try to design a project, or whatever, they stop me. We pretend we teach, but we don't. At the most, we are glorified and highly paid tutors whose only contact with students is via email and the telephone:( I thought it would be so much more. *shrugs* Oh well, do my time, get out and move on. NS keeps me from sleeping at my station like my neighbour does, or gathering dust.

I'm at BU, the most epensive university in America.

B-Who?

I want her to enjoy what she does, same as she wants the same for me. Your family, I think, will feel the same.

I agree here.

A couple of people have questioned my motives lately for wanting to go back to school and take a degree in law. One even suggested that I was being incredibly selfish because of the upheaval it was going to cause in my family's life. (these are folks in RL, not on NS...don't go hunting them with pitchforks:)).

So I thought about it. I mean, I make a fair amount of money as a teacher...not great, but the hours are fairly flexible. This job in particular is as cushy as they get, but I loathe it with every fibre of my being. Whatever my reasons are for wanting to go back, is it worth it? I'm not doing it for further financial gain, so the outcome will not necessarily improve our standard of living. Am I just being greedy? WTF?

You're on a posting spree these days, aren't you? How many topics is that you've started?

The fact that you're even worrying over this suggests to me that you're *not* particularly selfish. I'd always tend to encourage anyone interested in going in for learning/studying something new. Besides, you need to like your job. Having a job you don't like is no fun, and you're perfectly justified in wanting to aim for one you'll find more interesting.

I'm assuming you intend to do everything you can to minimise disruption to your family. Just find the right balance, and I don't think anyone can call you selfish.

No, Dob is the name I use in place of God, since I'm an atheist wench. For Dob's sake, in the name of Dob, you know. Dob doesn't mind if I take her name in vain...at least, she hasn't struck me down yet:)





Wait...Dob is a lady?

No, Dob is the name I use in place of God, since I'm an atheist wench. For Dob's sake, in the name of Dob, you know. Dob doesn't mind if I take her name in vain...at least, she hasn't struck me down yet:)

Ah. I see.


*draws herself up haughtily* I, sir, do not PLAY NS. I debate, I discuss, I de...a whatever.

NS is a game. Like it or not.

Truth is, I'm at a distance ed school that is widely know as the retirement centre for teachers.

Distance-ed?

They don't WANT me to do anything...because every time I do, try to design a project, or whatever, they stop me.

Who are They? The teachers? The administration?

[/QUOTE]We pretend we teach, but we don't. At the most, we are glorified and highly paid tutors whose only contact with students is via email and the telephone:([/QUOTE]

Oh, that's bad.

I thought it would be so much more. *shrugs* Oh well, do my time, get out and move on.

Good idea from the sounds of it.

NS keeps me from sleeping at my station like my neighbour does, or gathering dust.

What, you're not allowed to play games like Max Payne or Half-Life there? Leave! LEAVE!

You're on a posting spree these days, aren't you? How many topics is that you've started? Yeah, things will quiet down, I'm particularly unbusy at this moment.



I'm assuming you intend to do everything you can to minimise disruption to your family. Just find the right balance, and I don't think anyone can call you selfish.
Oh, I'm sure they will anyway, but thanks:)

Wait...Dob is a lady?
MTF
So yes.

Distance-ed?



Distance education.

my homeroom teacher actually did go to shcool again for law. It made a huge diffrence in her life. "sucked all the fun out of her:) " but really if you want to do it then just do it.

Yes Sinuhue, you are greedy and you have to make sure that someone can feed you all that you can handle. Wink wink.

Distance education.

Ah. Never heard of it.

Would I be right to guess that it is for the children, probably the ones in the country, that live too far away from school?

MTF
So yes.


"MTF" ?

WTF?

"MTF" ?

WTF?
Male To Female

Ah. Never heard of it. It's either online courses, or courses by correspondance...you still should have access to a teacher, and that's what we do, but we don't have classrooms. It sucks ass.

Would I be right to guess that it is for the children, probably the ones in the country, that live too far away from school?
Yes, or the ones who've been kicked out, or for health reasons (mental or physical) who can't attend school, or for kids who want programs that aren't offered at their school. Also Canadian kids overseas who want to continue their education here. And lots of adults, just upgrading on their own time.

BU = Boston University (I'm assuming...)

Go for it. No one can ever take what you've learned away from you, so go for it. Just try to help your kids as much as possible with transition. Kids are really resilient, they can handle it. Its important to be spending your time doing something you truly enjoy.

Good luck!

BU = Boston University (I'm assuming...)

you assume correct. $43,000 and change this year. And rising. Just don't get me on a rant about where this money is going. *sigh* *grumble*

Because I've already got a degree...what do I want with another one (as the question was put to me). And it means moving my kids around, and getting a new babysitter and blah blah blah...it's going to be a bit crazy for a while.

Maybe... but I find it difficult to imagine that having a better-educated parent could, in the long run, be bad for the kids.

Most anything worthwhile involves a little "craziness for a while". :-)

I just hope I'm in the financial position at one point to let him do a degree:)

It just kind of surprised me...my husband totally supports me, the kids are too young to know the difference, but I had three people in three days act as though I were being a selfish bitch for going back. Left field doesn't even describe where I felt those comments came from, and I was unprepared. Good to know (so far) that people don't think I'm a horrible person for this.

If these three people include your mother-in-law, father-in-law and sister-in-law, you can tell all of them I said they could take their sorry asses on a flying flip through a rolling donut.

It's definately not selfish. I think it is a good example to your children, education shouldnt stop just because you've left school once, already got a degree, have a career, or have a family, and if you go back to school to earn another degree you'll be able to demonstrate this to your children.

Think about it as a parent. If one of your children had a similar ambition and was in a similar situation with regards to already having a family, what would you want for them? I'm guessing you'd want them to go for it, to get the most out of life they can and to satisfy their ambitions. That being the case, how can being an exceptional role model for your children possibly be dismissed as being 'greedy'? You should go for it! Your children wont suffer from being shown that even if there are barriers (and there always are) one should try to be all they want rather than settling for 2nd best.