Graduate School
After working for a few months at my co-op position, I already miss being in school. Actually, I miss the whole academic atmosphere in general… I have been unpleasantly surprised by how difficult (and boring) it is for me to sit in my cubicle for 8 hours every day during the week. I mean, the pay is good, and the work is interesting and enjoyable, but I just feel so useless in the grand scheme of things. I can’t see how my work is directly helping anyone (other than a huge corporate machine). Honestly, I don’t want to make a career out of that — I’m not willing to devote the majority of my waking hours to this (or any) corporation.
Thus, I think I’ve decided that I want to pursue a career in academia (i.e. a position as a professor of electrical engineering). I think that I would feel much better about a job that involved personal growth and learning (i.e. research) and ample opportunities to be a positive influence in the lives of students (i.e. teaching).
So I’m applying to graduate schools and trying to finish up my co-op position. In December (when the co-op ends), I’m planning to go back to my University jobs. Those jobs are flexible enough that I will actually have time to finish up my last semester of school and get decent grades. I might move back home as well. It’s lonely living by myself. 
Strangely enough, I’m excited about the prospect of another four years of school. I feel like I missed out on what could have been a good experience the first time around. It seems that I spent my undergraduate years whining about how difficult life was, when in reality, God was consistently giving me blessings that I totally overlooked. So, I’m glad to have another chance to get it right this time. 
Today I applied to the Electrical Engineering Ph.D. program at Princeton University. Typically, they accept 1 in 7 applicants. So I have a 14% chance of getting in! Not bad! I’ve also applied to Northwestern University (in Chicago), and I’ll be applying to lots of other good schools in the area, so hopefully I’ll get in somewhere.
Posted: October 26th, 2008 under Life.
Comments
Comment from Marty
Time 2008/10/27 at 10:39 am
I’m glad you’re still learning (even though some of it has been from the school of hard knocks). I’m excited that God has given you a direction, and am praying Graduate School will be a much more pleasant experience for you.
Comment from Mike Taylor
Time 2008/11/03 at 2:29 pm
I was just about to say how I can relate to your sitation (struggling to find enjoyment in sitting in a cube for 8 hrs a day) and then you had to go and remind me how much smarter you are than me (Ph.D program at Princeton?!!). I wish you the very best and will keep you in my prayers as you start this new journey.
Comment from Jed
Time 2008/11/04 at 12:09 am
Hi Mike! Welcome to my blog!!
Hey I’m not smarter than you, I’m just crazier than you. Graduate degrees are only attempted by those of us who are slightly insane and/or have nothing else better to do.
Thanks for the prayers, I appreciate it.
Comment from Mike Taylor
Time 2008/11/04 at 1:03 pm
Hey Jed. I pass through (along w/ Josiah’s and Bethany’s) a few times a week. I like to keep up w/ you and get a better idea of how things are going in your life. It’s hard to know what a person’s interests and struggles truly are just through church interaction. Hopefully this will help me be of better use to you as a Christian brother.
Comment from Jed
Time 2008/11/06 at 9:52 pm
Hi Mike! That’s cool! I’m thankful for your (and your family’s) friendship. Hey, you should get a blog too!!
Comment from Mike Taylor
Time 2008/11/07 at 7:55 am
Not sure how to start one up. Also, not really sure what I’d talk about. I can talk about pointless things for hours (as you may have gathered). Useless trivia/knowledge blog. What a concept. Any help setting one up would be appreciated. You’ve got my e-mail address, so just fire me the directions and I’ll look into setting one up. No guarantees on when it will happen, though.
Comment from Mike Taylor
Time 2008/11/13 at 12:23 pm
What do you think of the early stages of mine?
http://mat02ds.wordpress.com/
Comment from jeff
Time 2008/10/26 at 9:42 pm
As you know, I’m not an expert on “Jed”, but even so, I’m not at all surprised that you’d find teaching and the academic environment more rewarding than the corporate environment. It sounds like the co-op opportunity has done its job well — providing you with needed experience to discover whether a similar job is what you are (or aren’t) looking for!