Hello,
Where have I been hiding?
I have been very busy, deep in study, followed by some much needed relaxation. What I did is that I finished up a journey in education that I started a few years ago.
For this post, I will discuss briefly about my experiences with achieving my 2nd Master’s Degree. This one is in Data Analytics and is from PennState University.
This post is not a review. I feel that doing so would be inappropriate. Given that I finished the degree should say enough that I believe that this experience is worth the effort. If interested, lookup the program at psu.edu (search for the World Campus Programs).
I believe strongly that continuing to grow is essential to make the world a better place. The caveat here is that we must use what we learn to lift the people around us rather than keep it all to ourselves.
Originally, I did not seek out to get another degree. At first, I took a refresher course at the local community college. I wanted to see if I could still go through traditional education coursework. After completing that work with near perfect scores, I signed up for a graduate certificate program in applied statistics at PSU.
After a few courses, I saw that the University offered a MPS (Master in Professional Studies) in Data Analytics. If anyone does not know, a MPS is a form of applied study (vs one focusing on theory). Since I enjoy working with data, I decided this program is the one for me. My credits transferred without issue, and I began the program.
The coursework is well organized and meant to build upon itself. As with any other program, you get out of it what you put into it. Given this is an online series, you need to be a self-starter and motivator. The professors will be there for your needs, but you must put the time in. More than expected, I worked till late at night building tables, researching analytical techniques, or building models. In my view, it is well worth it for the knowledge and experience gained.
It did take a few years for me to complete the program. For several semesters, I only took a single course because I work full time. Even a single course can be challenging. At some other points, especially in the isolation of the pandemic, I doubled up on courses. Time was spent on improving myself rather than worry.
I will clarify the work a bit more. A secret to this is that I find this type of work fun. I did have many late nights, but I did so because I enjoy the study. The labs, coding, using tools, and see how it all works is more exciting than a rollercoaster ride. Well, at least for me.
I still cannot believe that I accomplished this goal. It does prove that anyone is capable of doing anything as long as they are willing to put the effort in.
What’s next? I think I will be doing more independent study for awhile. I have always wanted to study game theory.
I hope that provided information on what it is like to go for a traditional degree even later in the career. It is not for everyone, but maybe it is for you. If I offer any advice, remember to never stop growing and don’t forget to lift up those around you.
Thank you
Andy’s Neural Works 