Tuesday, March 14, 2006

School.....



Seems yesterday's post about Kenyans touched on alot of things that many people think about but don't say.Only problem is that with a post that thought provoking is that it's hard to come up with something as good.I was going to post something about how The Acolyte expresses his love and share some x-file but luckily logic prevailed!
At the moment I am disenchanted with school. I feel that the course that I am doing does very little towards helping me meet my personal and career goals. Truth be told I originally wanted to master in Public Health but when I looked for school I couldn't get any that offered immediate funding and when my present school offered funding for me in another public discipline I jumped at the offer. Don't get me wrong I am learning quite a bit but I already know that the bulk of my learning will have to be done on my own via research and consultation with my Profs as I feel the overall course isn't in line with my needs.I could take the whole policy analysis and management route but I don't want to turn into one of those people who just read through loads of papers and stats then go to seminars to discuss them (even though I wouldnt mind the U.N salary that comes with it). I would rather be into project management,monitoring and evaluation but that is only offered in one course while policy and bureaucracy is a major part of the courses here.When it took me almost 2 weeks to do a take home I knew to some point I was treading water and my heart was not into it, so after the break I am going to do what I usually do; dig in,concentrate and work my ass off whether I like it or not!
Anyway that gets me to wondering whether University is that neccesary unless you are going to work in a specialised field like medicine,I.T, engineering etc.Don't get me wrong University is a great place to go and widen one's horizons and get a take on the direction one's life should take but when it comes to cash and jobs there is loads of cash to be made in the trades and entrepreneurship.I met a House Inspector who is paid $275 for each house he inspects before it is sold and he said that he can do 3 houses or so.He says he knows some unscrupolous folk who do more by merely driving past the house and giving it a clean bill of health so they can drive by more houses and make more cash.The thing with Uni is that most of the time is that it just prepares people to be good employees and not innovators and in the case of many U.S unis they aren't even doing that well as a survey showed that 40% of graduands had communication skills that were very wanting.
Anyway I think If I do manage to get a good job when I graduate that I will go back to school for a second Master's in Public Health ie behaviour change and other areas of Public Health are more socially oriented as my undergrad was not in medicine.Other then that it's time I got back to the grindstone as I have no business complaining.So many other Kenyans here are working their asses off so they can stay in school and here I am making a complete meal out of things.
ps:That is not a photo of me!It's just one from my photo bank!

17 comments:

Farmgal said...

oh why did logic prevail? schucks

walk said...

lol aco lol about the pic are u sure coz the shoes and that face go together lol

Anonymous said...

@ farmgal
Maybe tommorrow I may do that post....
@ joe
No way my face is showing up on this blog!

KenyanMusings said...

That really looks like you Aco...that no bullshittin look!! SO you.
About career dilemma...story of my life.....story of my life I could scream! scholarship vs Passion....I am still fighting that battle.
Thanks for that post. It did not offer me any real solutions, but I am glad I got compant in this misery

Prousette said...

who said it is you? why are you so quick to defend yourself
*thinking to self* so maybe it is you.

Anonymous said...

@ strawberries
Thanks for the encouragement, as for pics you'll see mine soon...
@ KM
Let's just say that post was my own version of a girlie post as I cant say I really enjoy school but I will not waste the opportunity that I have.If you get a solution do holla!
@ prou
Well I didnt want to create any false impressions among my fans you know!

CiikuMrsBabes said...

@ Aco... I have a pal who is doing something in Public Health... a doctorate... it was paid for... plus huge ass stipend....... So there is hope...... U can pursue whatever u want....

Anonymous said...

@ movie buff
Thanks for the inspiration and hope!

Anonymous said...

LOL....Aco wacha uwongo!

I can verify that the pic is of the Acolyte himself. I have evidence! Holla if you wanna see!

Aco....I feel a foot rub bribe coming up! LOL!

Anonymous said...

@ mocha
dearest according to what you have seen you do know that aint me!but you still get a foot rub (a brief one for trying!)

Bee said...

ROTFL @Joe and Aco.. "the shoes and the face go together"

Anyway, I also think non- specialised school is a huge waste of time. People pay big money for uni and if possible they should be taught how to be entrepreneurs not employees so that they can get a return on their investment. Anyway, if your not payingfor it you should definitely not waste the opportunity.

Anonymous said...

@ kenyangal
good to know that we share the same opinion.Much as I am not having a ball I dont intend to waste the opportunity!

walk said...

acolyte just hang in there think deferred gratification.things will work out just remember what i said when i come for my check.

i always wanted to be preacher or a politician or soldier could never decided but i knew it would be one.turns out God might make me all three go figure. TRUST and do drop in to one of those threee churches near ur apartment well ok not the one with snake handlers lol

Medusa said...

Aco..are your initials D.B.?

Anonymous said...

@ joe
Thanks for the words of wisdom.Seems that you seem to have things really figured out.I may pitia the churches even tho i dont do organised religion.
@ medusa
Check your e-mail

Milonare said...

The roots of education are bitter but the fruits are sweet!

Someni vijana,
ongezeni (something) ya bidii,
mwisho wa kusoma,
utapata kazi nzuri sana


Aco we all know that is you! I did a Google Earth over your digs plus a Google Face using Medusa's fununuz LOLOLOL

Hope you pata the course you are fuataring on a serious...

BTW I you running a class in the foto ama instigating a debate? Hahahahaha

Acolyte said...

@ Milo
I reiterate that that is not me in the photo!So you must have googled some innocent man!poor dude!As for teaching class I am too young and raw for that!