The Dawkins/Sagan Effect

[James5D]

I've recently re-read chapters of the god delusion and am a few chapters into the demon haunted world by Carl Sagan, and it's convinced me that ignorance is not bliss !

I chose to gear my education towards business studies and to that end graduated with a BA in Commerce....and working for the last 12/13 years been miserable in every job I've had since.

I really do fancy going back to School (college) to take the basic exams in Biology/Chemistry and Physics (in Scotland that is Standard and Higher Grades) and advance them, perhaps, towards distance learning degree course.....am I crazy considering this at 33 years old ?

I currently work in the field of IT and on a decent pay, however I find it very very dry and is a highly repetitive role.....and I'm now wishing I'd geared my education in the sciences.....not expecting this to provide a career change, be nice if it did, I'd be doing this out of pure interest.

[llanitedave]

I think knowing that they've had that kind of inspiration for someone would make them feel that writing those books had been worthwhile.

That, and of course, the royalties.

[hackenslash]

DO IT!!!

[Peter Harrison]

We can't tell you what to do. But I'll say this: you've got one life. If you've got a genuine interest, some kind of distance learning might be exactly what you need. If you do well, who knows where it could lead.

Welcome to the forum!

[Alpha]

I understand the feeling. I am 20 and doing a degree in computing and I am also very lucky to get a 3rd placement on a year out as part of a sandwich course working for civil service (well paid, easy and looks great on CV :P). And as much as I enjoy computers, and how lucky my situation regarding my course is, reading all these books, and researching topics like evolution, chemistry, physics cosmology... well makes me feel jealous sometimes of people who are lucky enough to be in those courses.

I love learning all about universe in my spare time, I think it is one of the most interesting topics (IMO). Scientists whose job is learn and understand more about universe everyday are very lucky. There are so many awe-inspiring photos of our universe that we are lucky to have.

Anyway, back to OPs point, I would say go for it, if you are genuinely interested, you may live to regret it if you leave it any longer, but it all depends on how you feel.

[JenniferP123]

I've recently re-read chapters of the god delusion and am a few chapters into the demon haunted world by Carl Sagan, and it's convinced me that ignorance is not bliss !

I chose to gear my education towards business studies and to that end graduated with a BA in Commerce....and working for the last 12/13 years been miserable in every job I've had since.

I really do fancy going back to School (college) to take the basic exams in Biology/Chemistry and Physics (in Scotland that is Standard and Higher Grades) and advance them, perhaps, towards distance learning degree course.....am I crazy considering this at 33 years old ?

I currently work in the field of IT and on a decent pay, however I find it very very dry and is a highly repetitive role.....and I'm now wishing I'd geared my education in the sciences.....not expecting this to provide a career change, be nice if it did, I'd be doing this out of pure interest.

I'd say if your heart is in it go for it! I was in an almost identical situation and have started a B.Sc in life sciences through distance learning and it's the best decision I've ever made! Good luck to you!

[life]

I'm 28 myself and am facing the same dilemma.
I'm somewhat into IT too (well, webdev that is...).

For me it was the impact of everything Sagan, Dawkins and so forth did that continues to amaze me every day.
What they made me realize is not WHAT you do but WHY you do it. It is not how fast you accumulate knowledge (so no, I wouldn't say you are crazy just because you are 33) but for how dedicated and motivated you are starting a science-based journey. Excuse my bad choice of words but at 3:24am it feels kinda hard to even write a coherent sentence

So yes, if you really want to switch by all means do it but don't underestimate the complexity sciences bring along the path as you climb up the ladder (or so they told me...)

As for me I will try to combine my IT knowledge with my recently discovered enthusiasm in sciences, I'm sure you'll have a good start with an IT kind of thinking.

[Mantisdreamz]

.....am I crazy considering this at 33 years old ?

33?! that's young... i thought you were gonna say something like 55! i've gallivanted about for 27 years, and there's no hesitation in my mind to go back to school for what interests me most! (science)
my sis just turned 49 and finally finished her schooling... she couldn't be happier! she travels around doing speeches on medicine, etc. don't close the doors on yourself man! i'd say this to anyone who had these sort of second guessings.

[Duck]

I'm 33 and doing an OU degree in physics. I'd much rather be learning something even if it may never affect my career. (Can't do any harm though can it?)

Go for it.

[andyx1205]

I've recently re-read chapters of the god delusion and am a few chapters into the demon haunted world by Carl Sagan, and it's convinced me that ignorance is not bliss !

I chose to gear my education towards business studies and to that end graduated with a BA in Commerce....and working for the last 12/13 years been miserable in every job I've had since.

I really do fancy going back to School (college) to take the basic exams in Biology/Chemistry and Physics (in Scotland that is Standard and Higher Grades) and advance them, perhaps, towards distance learning degree course.....am I crazy considering this at 33 years old ?

I currently work in the field of IT and on a decent pay, however I find it very very dry and is a highly repetitive role.....and I'm now wishing I'd geared my education in the sciences.....not expecting this to provide a career change, be nice if it did, I'd be doing this out of pure interest.

You have one life to live, so it is best that you make the most of it. Just remember this, the future of the world lies in Science, from Biology to Chemistry to Physics, as well as in Computer Science (A.I., technology,etc).

In simpler terms, there is so much to learn! Knowledge is the greatest achievement one can earn in life, imo.

[natselrox]

The replies in this thread and the OP's desire makes me wanna go...




Thank you, folks! Guys like you make this planet worth living!

[multivariable]

I really do fancy going back to School (college) to take the basic exams in Biology/Chemistry and Physics (in Scotland that is Standard and Higher Grades) and advance them, perhaps, towards distance learning degree course.....am I crazy considering this at 33 years old ?

At the age of 30, I said "Screw this!" and sat a Uni entrance exam...

4 years and an Honours Degree in Physics later, I can assure you that you're not crazy. I'm happily employed in the sciences, using my knowledge in the service of the nation (for good, not evil), and earning a very decent salary.

Best thing I ever did. Go for it!

[flush80]

I'm 33 and doing an OU degree in physics. I'd much rather be learning something even if it may never affect my career. (Can't do any harm though can it?)

Go for it.

im 29 , got a great job for $ in IT networking, -- but am too doing physics degree part time -- inspired by the nature of the universe

[James5D]

Thanks for all the support, I am going to go for it......even if I can't afford it, at least I'll have learned a bit more !

[Animavore]

Thanks for all the support, I am going to go for it......even if I can't afford it, at least I'll have learned a bit more !

Couldn't you do it as a night course and still work during the day?

[James5D]

Thanks for all the support, I am going to go for it......even if I can't afford it, at least I'll have learned a bit more !

Couldn't you do it as a night course and still work during the day?

Sorry, what I meant was affording the cost of the courses, which I'd be looking to take at night classes.

[Animavore]

Thanks for all the support, I am going to go for it......even if I can't afford it, at least I'll have learned a bit more !

Couldn't you do it as a night course and still work during the day?

Sorry, what I meant was affording the cost of the courses, which I'd be looking to take at night classes.

I just turned 31 today and am seriously considering a night-course in college next year. I'm sick of doing jobs I don't get any pleasure out of myself.
I was told that in this country (Ireland) you can do whatever course you like once you pass the interview stage and convince them that you have a serious interest. I was told this by a guy studying to be a doctor, he only started at 28. He said that when he was in school he didn't have the points to become a doctor and wasn't interested in it back then anyway. He just wanted to party.
If that's the case I'd like to get involved in palaeontology, taxonomy or systematics or closely related field.
I'll be paying a visit to some colleges over the next month and finding out what realistic options I have. Not going to get my hopes up.

[Dal8077]

I really do fancy going back to School (college) to take the basic exams in Biology/Chemistry and Physics (in Scotland that is Standard and Higher Grades) and advance them, perhaps, towards distance learning degree course.....am I crazy considering this at 33 years old ?

Fantastic Idea! If you don't do it, it'll always be a 'what if' at the back of your mind. Take a career break...and if you don't like it after 12 months, you can always go back to IT. What's more important is that you'll be doing something that you consider is worthwhile.

[JenniferP123]

Good for you James 5D! Good luck to you! I can highly recommend the OU B.Sc, it's fantastic.

Happy birthday Animavore

[IamthereforeIthink]

James5D:

Go for it

Where I am, I see so many examples of the reverse happening. A big chunk of MIT PhDs (in both pure and applied sciences), go for careers in finance or management consulting, essentially laying to waste, years of dedicated research. Many of them yearn to get back inside the lab, but the lure of lucre is just too strong.

[Mantisdreamz]

I just turned 31 today and am seriously considering a night-course in college next year. I'm sick of doing jobs I don't get any pleasure out of myself.

i'm tired of that too. working in a job that doesn't suit my personality gets in the way of my life! i wish there was some way in which education could be free, or at least cheaper than what it is.

[Maxorz]

DO IT!!!

I Agree 100%!

[Brasky]

Speaking as person with a biology degree I recommend chemistry or physics or math.

[pinecone]

I just started back to college I am 55. I believe it is imperative to have science teachers in our middle schools here in the U.S. that don't put the kids to sleep. That is my goal, to teach. So 33 is nothing...

[rachelsinatra]

If you have the option at all, DO IT! This has been on my mind a lot lately as well (for me it's Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson that are the biggest inspirations. I love Dawkins and evolution but I can actually see myself in the field of astrophysics more than anything). I'm 30 and make a good living in web development. I have a mortgage and financial responsibilities so anything I did would have to be slowly and carefully but I might end up pursuing it, if not now in a couple years. Anyway, it's awesome to see so many people feeling the same way!