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[farm_boy]

That's me.

Believe it or not, I have two positive developments.  First, I just completed yet another course (getting retrained on company time) and I've signed up for another for spring semester.  At this rate I'll have my 4-year degree in Horticulture by the time I'm 60.  Maybe I can help set up greenhouses on Mars.

Also, I bought yet another "How to Change Careers" book (my What Color Is Your Parachute--one of the least helpful books I've ever read--is from last century): It's Your Move: Dealing Yourself the Best Cards in Life and Work.  I'm just in the first chapter, but so far I don't want to throw myself off a cliff.

So, to all you other leavers of Academe, hang in there.  Happy holidays, merry Christmas, happy solstice, etc. etc.  Rest and rejuvenate during vacation.

[chalee]

Happy holidays to you too. Congratulations on finishing the course. I think it's great that you're still seeking a better path for yourself. So many people just give in to stasis. Best of luck in the New Year and keep us posted on your progress!

[farm_boy]

I know I've said this before, but I highly recommend taking a course every semester.  Many universities give their employees this option.  Look into it!

My horticulture studies may or may not ever lead to a new career for me, but they are interesting in and of themselves.  Taking this one small step each semester towards a new profession beats the heck out of just moaning and groaning and feeling sorry for myself for not fitting into Academe.

Today is Day One of my Christmas break, and I'm already reading Chapter One of the horticulture textbook for my new class that starts in January.

[pedanterast]

You can lead a horticulture but you can't make her think.

[punchnpie]

You can lead a horticulture but you can't make her think.

Hee hee. Shame on you!

Horticulture sounds fascinating, farm_boy. I could never remember all that stuff about plants.

[alleyoxenfree]

Good going, farm_boy, you reminded me to check the schedule, since I've been wanting to do this.

[octoprof]

I know I've said this before, but I highly recommend taking a course every semester.  Many universities give their employees this option.  Look into it!

I agree!  My university lets me take courses at 10% tuition plus some of the fees. I took a course last Spring that I had always wanted to take and it was taught by the first friend I made here at New Uni (we met at the new faculty orientation). It was fun.  This semester that just ended, my spouse and I took a language course together. We loved it.

If you take something you are interested in, it feels like FUN not work.