Somewhere between the lady who was printing all of her class work and the guy with Windows XP that wouldn’t let him into classes, I realized that I need to go to graduate school. Over the weekend I ran into an old instructor who I admire for his lifelong dedication to his interests in geography. He’s one of the many instructors I had who really seemed to know what they wanted, and did a damn fine job of achieving it.
I started looking at Portland State, because they have graduate programs in both Geography and Planning. Now I just have to decide what it is I want. I thought I wanted to do planning, but being a master of geography would be better than being a MURP. Anyway, I’ll have time to think about it between reading new Microsoft EULA and changing users’ Zone Alarm & Pop-up blocking settings.
Al here. Don’t go to PSU. Wait until Michelle is a lawyer and can pay for you to go elsewhere. If you do decide to go to PSU I will still be your friend, but I think you might be disappointed after Western. Peace out.
I think the Geography department generally has a life separate from the school. Huxley is 180 degrees & upside down from the Business school.
However, any reasons why I shouldn’t go there?
I have two friends in grad school there right now (2 different departments). Both went to “better” schools as undergrads, one public and one private. They can’t believe they’re in grad school because the quality of instruction and work required is lower than their undergrad experiences. Maybe geography is different. How important is the reputation of the institution as related to your ability to later find employment in your field. For library school it’s just whether or not the school is accredited. Are there geosnobs who think you have to go to Persnickity U. or is it just a matter of whether you have a masters or not? My friends there now are there because of situation: they live and work in Portland. I chose my library school because I needed to continue working full-time. So if location, location, location is an issue, then I fully support your decision to go here. If you can bear another year and a half of dumb webct questions, wait it out and let wifey pay your way :)
Phi was talking about PCC giving grad students money. Could be quite useful… Master on a budget.
I sort of go with the philosophy that your education is what you put into it. Think of all the great examples of jerks and criminals who went to “good schools.”
Yeah. Like the leader of our country. I do hope I’m smarter than he is!?!?I didn’t even think about the tuition reimbursement. Yes. Keep working here and go to PSU!