Exploring Career Options: Auditing as an Alternative

[ForMyThunder]

I guess that would be kinda pointless seeing as you already have a job. But can you still audit?

 

[fss]

Why not?

 

[Andy Resnick]

When I was in graduate school, the Department Chair earned a MS degree in (IIRC) aerospace engineering. Also, many institutions allow faculty to take (some number of) classes for free every semester.

 

[Choppy]

It's also not unheard of for people to pursue business degrees like MBAs just before of during their tenure in administrative positions - particularly if they have a desire to go a little further on the administrative level.

In general though, by the time you get to that point, you're pretty busy to sit down for an entire course, much less another degree.

 

[AlephZero]

There comes a time when you study new things because you are want to learn about them, not because you want a piece of paper saying you studied them.

And if you think "having a job" = "you don't need to learn anything new for the rest of your life", dream on.

 

[ForMyThunder]

I figured "having a job"="you don't really need another piece of paper."

 

[Femme_physics]

Yep...I'm with the "why not" crowd... as long as it doesn't distract you much from doing your job...'

 

[mal4mac]

In the UK you don't need a PhD to be a lecturer (= US professor) - at least in shortage subjects (IT) - but to "advance" you do. I've known many lecturers who have done PhDs in their spare time. It was well worth it for them. I've known some who have done MBAs - though not much use unless you actually want to move into business... I've know others do conversion courses to move into other areas (e.g. MSc IT to get IT lecturing jobs!)

 

[Artus]

Some professors should take their chances on this. Theorists could be more industry-related by taking Engineering or Applied Sciences courses. There are also opportunities in University Management or starting relations with other areas, as EE + Medicine = Biomedical Engineering.