I FINALLY GRADUATED! - Page 2

krisk · 07-10-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon

I actually considered it, but I have to go to seminary first unfortunately. And AFTER seminary I've fairly stable job prospects (and a beautiful pension). But if I'm young enough by the time it's all over, I might still do that but it's doubtful as I'll be pushing 40 by then!

The Episcopal church doesn't just let you go to seminary.. you have to jump through some hoops, and I'm also coordinating it with my girlfriend so we can go together so... it's at least three years off.

there are programs which may actually not only pay for seminary (equivalent of a doctorate, yes?) but pay you while attending school. as you have tacked on history AND religious studies, it is very good as approaching people from a cultural anthropological way, ie; understanding their background is one of the goals of the military. a lot of chaplains are on the ground working with the local populace finding out their needs, and re-interpreting them to the area commanders.... my .02

Gideon · 07-10-2009, 01:37 PM

Yeah, I'm still entertaining it as an option. It's going to depend a lot on how the next few years go as I'm working closely with a church and in the program (pre-seminary discernment). It's a tricky thing for me, theologically, though.. I'm not sure the military would want me. I'm rather radical in my views on non-violence.

It just depends on how much good I could do for the people involved while keeping my integrity and respecting the establishment and people I'm working with.

krisk · 07-10-2009, 01:38 PM

you may be very surprised at the divergent views within the military now!

DixieGal · 07-10-2009, 01:45 PM

Congratulations from one "mature" grad to another!

phenomshel · 07-10-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon

I found out yesterday that I have officially graduated college.

It's taken me 12 years due largely to health and some family financial issues (family business collapsed a few years back very suddenly) so it's pretty big news for me. It sucks, of course, graduating into the worst economic situation in decades and having the same terrible job options I had BEFORE I graduated (less, actually) but.. it's good to be done.

So now have my B.A. in Theology with minors in History and Philosophy. Originally, I was a religious studies major but due to my college canceling my final class this summer, some changes had to be made to made last minute to graduate on time.

And yeah... I know, those aren't exactly "job degrees" - I'm planning on going to seminary (Episcopal) in a few years, so I'm just looking for work in the meantime. Hopefully in the non-profit sector, as that's where my experience is but it's having a tough time right now.

Anyway.. I'm excited. Thought today I am thoroughly hungover from celebrating. :P Scotch+whisky drinks plus an entire bottle of wine is not smart.

Congratulations!!

zelda_pinwheel · 07-10-2009, 02:56 PM

congratulations gideon !! well done ! so glad you stuck with it. i agree with vivaldi and the others, it's worth doing it even if you don't end up with a "job" degree (fine arts and letters here. sheesh, what was i thinking ?

).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon

Nah, I'm an Episcopalian. :P Life is to be enjoyed... though perhaps with a bit more moderation!

i'm glad you're celebrating it properly !

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

Congratulations, Gideon! It may seem like an empty comment, but I truly believe that there is great value in education beyond the simple, immediate economic value.

absolutely.

dreams · 07-10-2009, 03:04 PM

Congratulations!!!

Gideon · 07-10-2009, 03:12 PM

Oh I'm quite content with what I've done. It's going to hurt for the next few years, but for what I'm doing in the long run its fine and my degree program is one of the most broad based in the university (you wouldn't think so, probably... but we're very multidisciplinary... psych, sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy, literature).

Thanks everyone!

pshrynk · 07-10-2009, 04:03 PM

Congrats, Gideon! I avoid going to the Episcopal Church, myself...

ShortNCuddlyAm · 07-10-2009, 04:10 PM

Congrats!

Donnageddon · 07-10-2009, 04:37 PM

Congratulations Gideon! For the degree, and the perseverance and hard work it took to get there!

Xenophon · 07-10-2009, 05:34 PM

Conga Rats!

Xenophon

Laz116 · 07-10-2009, 05:43 PM

Congrats... don't be too disappointed when the anti-climax of having finished sets in.

Gideon · 07-10-2009, 06:06 PM

Yeah, that was most of yesterday. I was surprised to find after the initial high I felt suddenly very... sad. Which is odd as that's not really an emotion I feel a lot and I couldn't shake it.

Now I'm just irked when I look at my student loans.

zelda_pinwheel · 07-10-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon

Yeah, that was most of yesterday. I was surprised to find after the initial high I felt suddenly very... sad. Which is odd as that's not really an emotion I feel a lot and I couldn't shake it.

ugh, that happens to me too. it'll pass eventually.

Quote:

Now I'm just irked when I look at my student loans.

ouch !

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07-10-2009, 01:37 PM	#17
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Yeah, I'm still entertaining it as an option. It's going to depend a lot on how the next few years go as I'm working closely with a church and in the program (pre-seminary discernment). It's a tricky thing for me, theologically, though.. I'm not sure the military would want me. I'm rather radical in my views on non-violence. It just depends on how much good I could do for the people involved while keeping my integrity and respecting the establishment and people I'm working with.

07-10-2009, 01:38 PM	#18
krisk Wizard Posts: 2,148 Karma: 8229 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: on the road again Device: kindle	you may be very surprised at the divergent views within the military now!

07-10-2009, 01:45 PM	#19
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Congratulations from one "mature" grad to another!

07-10-2009, 03:04 PM	#22
dreams It's about the umbrella Posts: 25,110 Karma: 56250158 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony 505\| K Fire \| KK 3G+Wi-Fi \| iPhone 3Gs \|Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF	Congratulations!!!

07-10-2009, 03:12 PM	#23
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Oh I'm quite content with what I've done. It's going to hurt for the next few years, but for what I'm doing in the long run its fine and my degree program is one of the most broad based in the university (you wouldn't think so, probably... but we're very multidisciplinary... psych, sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy, literature). Thanks everyone!

07-10-2009, 04:03 PM	#24
pshrynk Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah! Posts: 11,726 Karma: 8255450 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin, aka America's IceBox Device: iThingie, KmkII, I miss Zelda!	Congrats, Gideon! I avoid going to the Episcopal Church, myself...

07-10-2009, 04:10 PM	#25
ShortNCuddlyAm WWHALD Posts: 7,879 Karma: 337114 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mitcham, Surrey, UK Device: iPad. Selling my silver 505 here	Congrats!

07-10-2009, 04:37 PM	#26
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	Congratulations Gideon! For the degree, and the perseverance and hard work it took to get there!

07-10-2009, 05:34 PM	#27
Xenophon curmudgeon Posts: 1,487 Karma: 5748190 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA USA Device: Kobo Aura HD, (ex)nook, (ex)PRS-700, (ex)PRS-500	Conga Rats! Xenophon

07-10-2009, 05:43 PM	#28
Laz116 Guru Posts: 640 Karma: 12129 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Sony PRS-700	Congrats... don't be too disappointed when the anti-climax of having finished sets in.

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07-10-2009, 06:06 PM	#29
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Yeah, that was most of yesterday. I was surprised to find after the initial high I felt suddenly very... sad. Which is odd as that's not really an emotion I feel a lot and I couldn't shake it. Now I'm just irked when I look at my student loans.