NationStates Jolt Archive


What to learn?

Rambhutan
14-06-2008, 17:17
The company I work for rather generously gives each employee £250 a year to spend on learning that is not related to their job. Trouble is after a while it becomes quite hard to think of things to do. So rather than lose this years money can people help me with some ideas or tell me what they would use it for so I can steal their ideas?
PelecanusQuicks
14-06-2008, 17:20
The company I work for rather generously gives each employee £250 a year to spend on learning that is not related to their job. Trouble is after a while it becomes quite hard to think of things to do. So rather than lose this years money can people help me with some ideas or tell me what they would use it for so I can steal their ideas?


I did a random photography course once and loved it. I didn't even have a decent camera but I learned a lot and it was fun.

Of course I don't know what you do, you may be a photographer. :p In that case you might try ball room dancing. :)
Anti-Social Darwinism
14-06-2008, 17:24
The company I work for rather generously gives each employee £250 a year to spend on learning that is not related to their job. Trouble is after a while it becomes quite hard to think of things to do. So rather than lose this years money can people help me with some ideas or tell me what they would use it for so I can steal their ideas?

Take classes abroad. The Cordon Bleu has, I understand, week-long classes for tourists. Or you could take "educational tours."
Rambhutan
14-06-2008, 17:24
I did a random photography course once and loved it. I didn't even have a decent camera but I learned a lot and it was fun.

Of course I don't know what you do, you may be a photographer. :p In that case you might try ball room dancing. :)

Strangely I have done courses in both of those.
Plum Duffs
14-06-2008, 17:24
The company I work for rather generously gives each employee £250 a year to spend on learning that is not related to their job. Trouble is after a while it becomes quite hard to think of things to do. So rather than lose this years money can people help me with some ideas or tell me what they would use it for so I can steal their ideas?

If you have seriously run out of things to do your 'list of things to do before you die' list must all be ticked off. Learn how to sky dive? Learn how to paint? How to Sing? Or is it more of a technical work thing...liek they want you to learn how to relate to customers or learn how to use a cash register? If this is the case i think you should learn how to make minature models of Igloos.
Rambhutan
14-06-2008, 17:27
Or is it more of a technical work thing...liek they want you to learn how to relate to customers or learn how to use a cash register? If this is the case i think you should learn how to make minature models of Igloos.

It definitely must not be work related. Last year I learned to play the banjo.
Brutland and Norden
14-06-2008, 17:31
Learn how to speak Etruscan.
Plum Duffs
14-06-2008, 17:35
It definitely must not be work related. Last year I learned to play the banjo.

That is excellent. I couldnt think of anything more fitting in todays society.
Resume skills: Banjo (''What else?''. "What do you mean 'what else?!' Isnt the banjo enough for you!!!!!")
PelecanusQuicks
14-06-2008, 17:46
Strangely I have done courses in both of those.

Very cool, then perhaps one of these:


Master gardening course

Body sculpting course

Scuba diving

Art lessons

NASA zero g course (something my hubby has on his do before I die list...I haven't a clue what that is :confused:)

Hang gliding

Animal tracking and bird watching

Song bird recognition

Maybe a list of things you have done already would help?
SoWiBi
14-06-2008, 17:48
Languages.

Massage classes.

Sports. Say, for example, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_stilts.

Clowning classes.

Any seminar by Lou Paget.

Calligraphy.
PelecanusQuicks
14-06-2008, 17:50
Calligraphy.

I have had this, it was great too. :)
SoWiBi
14-06-2008, 17:51
NASA zero g course (something my hubby has on his do before I die list...I haven't a clue what that is :confused:)


You know something to be on your husband's "To do before I die list" and never asked him what it is? I'd think one'd want to know what is that important to one's partner..

I believe it refers to an event where flying in crass hyperboles will lead to periods of zero gravity within a specially designed plane, and participants get to do all the fun stuff they always wanted to try in zero gravity for a minute or so each time the plane goes plummeting.
New Manvir
14-06-2008, 17:55
Clown College
Plum Duffs
14-06-2008, 17:57
Clown College

Oh Gosh. You sound like LG.
PelecanusQuicks
14-06-2008, 17:59
You know something to be on your husband's "To do before I die list" and never asked him what it is? I'd think one'd want to know what is that important to one's partner..

I believe it refers to an event where flying in crass hyperboles will lead to periods of zero gravity within a specially designed plane, and participants get to do all the fun stuff they always wanted to try in zero gravity for a minute or so each time the plane goes plummeting.

You have to know my hubby, his 'things to do before I die list' is gigantic and includes everything NASA offers or he thinks they should offer. ;) That I knew, I just don't know exactly what that particular course entailed. Thanks for your description...you see if I ask him I then have to listen for 8 hours about it all.

He is a lot more passionate about space exploration than I am...:p
SoWiBi
14-06-2008, 18:04
Thanks for your description...you see if I ask him I then have to listen for 8 hours about it all.


I both knew and know people like that. I've found it useful to set time or, with especially tough cases, word limits. Say, for example, "Explain [...] within 30 seconds" or "using a maximum of 10 words".
JuNii
14-06-2008, 19:02
The company I work for rather generously gives each employee £250 a year to spend on learning that is not related to their job. Trouble is after a while it becomes quite hard to think of things to do. So rather than lose this years money can people help me with some ideas or tell me what they would use it for so I can steal their ideas?

the posibilities are endless.

various arts
various sports and hobbies
various languages
business techniques


or...

"I'm learning how to aquire an extra £250 a year. unfortunately, it's a course that takes several years to finish." :p
Rasselas
14-06-2008, 19:34
(Most ideas stolen from my local colleges summer courses brochure)

Watercolour painting
Floristry
Music recording/producing/composing etc
Songwriting
Sign language
Dance classes (Salsa was always my favourite)
Learn a language/sport/instrument etc that you haven't already tried.
On a similar note, singing. If you can already sing, try learning a different style.
Local history
Acting/theatre
Fashion design
Various types of massage (this brochure mentions loads of different types)


Of course, I don't know what you do for a job. If you're a songwriting florist who speaks 18 languages then I guess your options are more limited :p
Holy Paradise
14-06-2008, 20:52
The company I work for rather generously gives each employee £250 a year to spend on learning that is not related to their job. Trouble is after a while it becomes quite hard to think of things to do. So rather than lose this years money can people help me with some ideas or tell me what they would use it for so I can steal their ideas?

Sex Ed, perhaps?

Just to waste time.
The blessed Chris
14-06-2008, 21:32
The company I work for rather generously gives each employee £250 a year to spend on learning that is not related to their job. Trouble is after a while it becomes quite hard to think of things to do. So rather than lose this years money can people help me with some ideas or tell me what they would use it for so I can steal their ideas?

I'd learn a classical language. Latin, or, if you want something more challenging, Ancient Greek.
Bewilder
14-06-2008, 21:42
If i were you, I'd choose to learn to sculpt or basic electronics. Although I could use plastering and bricklaying too... Lucky lucky you, I think its great that your employer does that, hope you enjoy whatever you pick :)
Katganistan
14-06-2008, 21:50
Cooking.
Tailoring.
Car repairs.
Gardening.
Bartending.
Ifreann
14-06-2008, 21:53
Sensual massage. For obvious reasons.
Extreme Ironing
14-06-2008, 22:34
Extreme Ironing *nod*
Londim
14-06-2008, 22:56
How to try and take over the world:

http://wx5tvs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/pinky_brain.jpg

These will be your teachers.