Degree or no degree? Certificate? What?

[ranmaru]

Link to original post: [drupal=3499]Degree or no degree? Certificate? What? [/drupal]

=====================
Saint Cloud High School
=====================

Well, at this point in time, I was just a teenager, really only interested in gaming. Music as well. I didn't do well with classes, nor was I really interested in them. Through here I had made habits, such as procrastinating. Of course I know more than I did then, but not much to say here.



=====================
Valencia Community College
=====================

Yes. I am confused still. I have been down in Florida, studied there for at least a year. I majored in Graphics design, and minored in Computer Programming. I chose Graphics design because I always like to make signatures like this:

http://neokrw.deviantart.com/#/d2ju3ug

Although I lucked out because I didn't know what I got into. I wasn't prepared, I didn't know how college would have been like. I was the same way as I was in Highschool.

I failed, and this was also due to me skipping class sometimes for playing smash bros in the lounge. Yes, silly me >_>

I went on for at least almost a year without doing anything or hanging out with much people, just staying true to myself. I went and studied again for a semester (I studied for a year before I failed, and then just for one semester after) thanks to my mother paying what she could. I thanked her dearly for that.

We then moved. More about what happened next after the next section.


=======================================
Thoughts
=======================================

Sure it would be awesome if I COULD produce awesome things that companies would use for their businesses, but I was lazy... and always procrastinating. Gah.

I also didn't do as well as the other students in the class, except one. He was in the same boat as me. But still, most of the people there had graphics design experience already. I could tell, I felt it in my bones. I also wasn't used to a Mac, but I guess I really don't mind if I only need to get accustomed to it. Some Graphic design programs I also didn't know how to use...

I could say that I think I learn slowly, so that I might need more time just to learn and put in effort. For some reason I have realized that I do math better by myself if I put the maximum effort. But motivation is also a problem...

I can do greatly with something if I have the motivation to do it. I'm sure of it. I can get better at DDR if I so wanted to. (I did get a little better, from being on easy to getting around in medium, very very tough for me)

I got better at Smash brothers melee for reading and watching things about it, learning, practicing, repeating, repeating, etc. I got better at it, but it's just a game.

I'm sure I could do very well with all my classes, but the motivation is just NOT there. I try to motivate myself by telling myself that all this will help me with things that are not related to it, but would somehow require or be benefited by the bonus knowledge of the course and therefore I would do the work so I can hopefully learn something that I can Apply to videogames or DDR or other things that I actually have interest in

Even so. (I might edit this later, this is me evaluating my own mind here)

====================================

1-2 years later - Philadelphia, PA
====================================

_____________________
Harcum College of Congreso
_____________________

Ok so now here I am in Philadelphia. I am currently enrolled in Harcum College, but at a off-site campus, for my convenience.Thankfully that campus only gave three major selections, so it was easy to pick. I chose Human services as a Major. I have already taken a loan out and had financial aid given to me. I already cancelled that loan, and tried re-instating it... That loan I will keep. I know I have to make sacrifices....

Harcum college at Congreso is an off-site campus which doesn't have as much facilities as I would need as a student. There are 3 computers at the student lounge which is where we walk in. There are computers in the classes and we can't really go in during the day, so we are limited to the 3. Sometimes the internet doesn't work in some or all of them which can be annoying. Although, Congreso can be convenient since it has full-time classes, but only for two days a week. The draw back to this is that instead of being 16 weeks, classes are 8 weeks and assignments (meaning big assignments) are due quickly. Many things to complain about... But so you know a little about it, since it isn't your regular Community College.

BUT!

I was told I would need to take out another loan, and that is the last straw.

__________________________
Community College of Philadelphia
__________________________


Whoops, now I'm going to transfer. Uh uh, I'm not taking another loan. CCP is cheaper, and that is what I need to do for now. I'm not going to have two loans topple onto me. :/

CCP is also closer to me, and I might be able to meet more people there as well. Of course I'll be going for four days instead of two, but I'd be having an easier time money wise.

So I am in the process of applying, and I put the application in "Finish later" mode even though I'm pretty much finished.

I still don't know what I SHOULD do. What I should study. Currently I am studying under Human Services. They have that over there, and it is under a certificate. I would rather have a degree, that way job interviewers can see I have 'stick-it-ness' if you know what I mean. Meaning stick to the program.

I know what I'm good at, I know what I know, but I don't know what job type I should really pick.



===================
Things I am good at:
===================

+Giving advice

+Tutoring (recalling from helping spanish 1 students in highschool [I was called the young professor or something...])

+Playing smash bros melee

+cleaning? (exp from actual work)

+problem solving? (I'm pretty sure I can take stress well so I would be able to still think while in a pinch, meaning being held under fire of AHHHHHHHHH)

+Making sigs. But that isn't a skill right? : [

that is all I can think about for now.

Of course I can also put in time to playing videogames and such and I am wondering if any of you guys have suggestions for your fellow videogamer. I am stuck. WITH LIFE. (board game coming to stores near you)

I don't know WHAT to do. I have spent too much time (or have I).

What do you think? Anything you say will be of help. : ] Thank you.

=============
LIKES
=============

I like Music. In the past I loved listening to things like Eminem and even Tech N9ne. Recently I noticed that I didn't like Tech N9ne as much anymore.

Want to know why? I realized that I have heard much better bands/musicians in action.

Examples?

Mf Doom (and his other relevant personas);

Minamina Goodsong;

Videogame music (Tim Follin and Geoff Follin, Sonic The Hedgehog 2 music, PSO music [also made by SEGA so this music would be just as good YES just as good as Sonic music] etc)

such things as those. They are pretty epic, or just pretty **** good.

Why did I decide to post this here? I'm pretty sure that to know what I want in life, as a career, I would not only need to post my skills, but also my interests.

Of course Videogames are of much interest to me as well, but I will explain that in a bit.

-IN CONSTRUCTION-

 

[Apollo$]

Look deep down inside yourself and pick what you enjoy the most, what you are trying to learn can always be something on the side you do. You can always go back to school and figure out something you always wanted to do

 

[#HBC | Acrostic]

Maybe you're not really good at anything.

 

[ranmaru]

Look deep down inside yourself and pick what you enjoy the most, what you are trying to learn can always be something on the side you do. You can always go back to school and figure out something you always wanted to do

Hmmm ok I will try that. : D

Maybe you're not really good at anything.

Hmmm, it could be a possibility. I'm sure I could be good at things, just not naturally. (for instance I know I am good at Diddy Kong Racing 64 [the original], but that is something I shouldn't boast about at an interview, ever) I often wonder what are IMPORTANT things in life that one needs to REALLY be good at, then worry about the rest... Not a thought I have had until now.

Spoiler

I wonder why I put often and then contradicted myself... Oh geez what is wrong with my brainnnn

Even so, if I have skill level of 0 (xD ) Then I would know that one would only need to learn more about what they want to do... But I don't know what JOB TYPES there are that I would like. Gah. xD

============

also my first post probably doesn't even seem neat or polished at all... One of my problems is organization. I wish I could have it stating all my points and that I knew what I wanted to say before hand but it's more of a... wing it kind of thing for me.

 

[#HBC | Acrostic]

I don't really understand what happened, but it appears that you were originally a graphics design major with a minor in computer programming. Then you failed out of that college and tried to attend another college, but you didn't want to take loans. Therefore you're considering community college, but you haven't been accepted yet.

 

[ranmaru]

Yeah, basically. Oops, forgot to mention that I took one loan, cancelled it, and am trying to get it re-instated so I MAY transfer my credits over to the community college.

I don't want to take more loans, because I won't want to have too many. So I decided that I would transfer... There, there are more majors, and the major I am Majoring in now is a certificate there. I don't want that... I want a degree.

So I guess I might have to try a different degree, the whole cause of me making this topic. I'm confused as to WHAT I really should do.

I'm sorry for confusing you, I am currently trying to polish up my post and try to fit in details that I might have missed, and headings and such

 

[#HBC | Acrostic]

I tend to be a pragmatist. I really don't understand why people would invest $160,000 in order to study religion, philosophy, or other social sciences that can be enjoyed as a leisure-based hobby. The best approach for me was to pick a major that would get me into research and provide me other opportunities for future careers. Even though I can't say that I adore my major, I would have been a lot more depressed if I chose to pursue an untestable and hypothetical field that is driven by ambiguous assumption and entertainment value. Very few people are the best at what they do, but it doesn't mean that you won't be successful. It just means that you have to be more entrepreneurial with the deck that you've got when you try to look for jobs.

 

[July]

I can do greatly with something if I have the motivation to do it. I'm sure of it. I can get better at DDR if I so wanted to. (I did get a little better, from being on easy to getting around in medium, very very tough for me)

I got better at Smash brothers melee for reading and watching things about it, learning, practicing, repeating, repeating, etc.

Things I am good at:

+Giving advice

+Tutoring (recalling from helping spanish 1 students in highschool [I was called the young professor or something...])

+Playing smash bros melee

+cleaning? (exp from actual work)

+problem solving? (I'm pretty sure I can take stress well so I would be able to still think while in a pinch, meaning being held under fire of AHHHHHHHHH)

So from this I can tell: you are able to push yourself to improve, you are motivated and have faith in your ability to greatly with something you like (basically confidence in yourself :]), you have patience and focus, you have strong interpersonal skills, and you are calm under pressure...all fantastic skills to have, and all skills you were born with or developed rather than taught, so that should make you feel great about yourself :D

Also, you aren't afraid to ask questions and seek advice yourself (evidenced by writing this blog), which is something soooo many people are scared to do but is crucial to self-improvement and growth.

With that said, if you take Apollo$ advice and find what makes you happy and follow your heart, you'll succeed. The only thing I can add is that you shouldn't let this stress you out...relax, think about what really makes you happy, and doing some research could really help (looking into what other courses/certificates are offered at CCP, what kind of jobs are in human services, etc).

Good luck and I hope this helped! :3

 

[AMKalmar]

2¢: What kind of career could you imagine yourself doing many years from now? You don't have to be experienced in the subject, just try to think of something that you think you would enjoy doing for a living. Then do some research. After finding out what sort of work that career involves, if you're still interested, set it as a goal. This is very important, making something a personal goal is what gives you motivation - you have to want it. Then you could either pursue a relevant education or try to find (or create) work in that field.

How hard you're willing to work is more important than skill in many cases. Find something productive that you love doing and get in those 10 000 hours!

 

[ranmaru]

I tend to be a pragmatist. I really don't understand why people would invest $160,000 in order to study religion, philosophy, or other social sciences that can be enjoyed as a leisure-based hobby. The best approach for me was to pick a major that would get me into research and provide me other opportunities for future careers. Even though I can't say that I adore my major, I would have been a lot more depressed if I chose to pursue an untestable and hypothetical field that is driven by ambiguous assumption and entertainment value. Very few people are the best at what they do, but it doesn't mean that you won't be successful. It just means that you have to be more entrepreneurial with the deck that you've got when you try to look for jobs.

Hmmm, I see. That is true... What I really need is a good job that can be secure, but a major would be one that could help me with future careers I might need to get in to...

I mean, I have been thinking of what People need, as a base of common direction I can use to choose a career that can be beneficial... For example, I know that Medical fields can be good, because people always get hurt and will always need help. There are also people who are sick who need care.

Or that people will always need guidence or teachings (advice/teaching) Of course I am just a bit nervous about teaching and speaking in front of crowds and such.

Or security, people will always need a sense of safety, so that... they can sleep softly. Meaning security... (as long as there is crime, and I would doubt humans would somehow solve the cause of crimes)

But I will definitely keep what you said in mind. : D

So from this I can tell: you are able to push yourself to improve, you are motivated and have faith in your ability to greatly with something you like (basically confidence in yourself :]), you have patience and focus, you have strong interpersonal skills, and you are calm under pressure...all fantastic skills to have, and all skills you were born with or developed rather than taught, so that should make you feel great about yourself :D

Also, you aren't afraid to ask questions and seek advice yourself (evidenced by writing this blog), which is something soooo many people are scared to do but is crucial to self-improvement and growth.

With that said, if you take Apollo$ advice and find what makes you happy and follow your heart, you'll succeed. The only thing I can add is that you shouldn't let this stress you out...relax, think about what really makes you happy, and doing some research could really help (looking into what other courses/certificates are offered at CCP, what kind of jobs are in human services, etc).

Good luck and I hope this helped! :3

Thanks hun for the support!

Yes, I usually do always ask (a ton) of questions, whenever I have the need to ask. I am not afraid, nor embarrassed because I would like KNOWING and I would gratefully take along the side-effect of embarrassment as a cost for finding out what I didn't know. :3

Yes yes, I will always keep my head up and try not to let stress get at me. : D That I know I'm good at... Or rather, I just don't freak out as much as ones I know, but I'm pretty sure that isn't a skill anyways. :3

But I am optimistic with my outlook in life so I will not get stumped.

2¢: What kind of career could you imagine yourself doing many years from now? You don't have to be experienced in the subject, just try to think of something that you think you would enjoy doing for a living. Then do some research. After finding out what sort of work that career involves, if you're still interested, set it as a goal. This is very important, making something a personal goal is what gives you motivation - you have to want it. Then you could either pursue a relevant education or try to find (or create) work in that field.

How hard you're willing to work is more important than skill in many cases. Find something productive that you love doing and get in those 10 000 hours!

Well, I know I wouldn't want to be doing game creation, I'm not sure if I'm a good story creater or anything, and I wouldn't want to be trying to practice programming to create the visual aspect of games, just too hard, or maybe just tedious?

Teaching, I could see... Because I know I can help people with some problems that I have insight with. But like I have said, I wouldn't know how I would deal with the curriculum (creating one would be fun though!) and speaking to the class. I mean, you can tell that my thoughts are un-organized from my first and other posts, how would I be able to assemble a neat and understandable teaching methods to kids who might not even want to learn what I would be teaching?

Hmmm.... Medical/nursing... I could do that, because I'd probably just be cleaning and doing clerical tasks or doing tasks which would help the patients or just stuff. (like prescribing medicine or something) or just for nursing, giving an extra pillow to the patient for when they ask for it or just pass out food. Why would I be fine with this? I used to have a cleaning job, it was very boring, but incredibly easy. I was often caught in break rooms alot though. The challenge there is trying to pass through the day. I did my work though. I made mistakes too as well. :/

Something musical related? Maybe... Lately I have been getting into DDR and ITG, and maybe learning about music would be interesting, but I wouldn't be interested in trying to make songs or music, because I just have a feeling I wouldn't be good at it. I don't know why.