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JerseySmarts.com

Okay, So It Won’t Be As Easy As I Thought

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Earlier this month I uploaded an entry talking about how I was going back to school to finish up a certificate program at the local college. One of my purposes of going back to the local college to get this certificate was that it seemed like it would be very easy to attain. Or, as I put it:

I was hired at my job and I began to look into Doctoral programs as well as certificate programs. Lo and behold, the program that I was previously enrolled in where I only finished one class had a certificate available for being a Public Relations Specialist. At the same time, my company was looking to have me and some of my coworkers get trained on some other aspects of our business. Since the local college (where I was enrolled and only finished one class) was offering a fundraising course, I took the course and completed it. Well, as a part of my research prior to taking the course, it turns out that both the course I had previously completed and the fundraising course were two of the four courses needed for this certificate. But it gets better…

I researched when the other two courses were offered and they are being offered this fall and next spring. And since I’m teaching at the local college this fall and next spring, I can take these courses for no charge. In essence, I can received this certificate in public relations free of charge.

Yes, I’m quoting my blog on my blog. Welcome to the nexus of the universe.

Anyway, as it turns out one of the courses that I previously enrolled in was taken as a non-matriculating student. In other words, that means that it does count towards the certificate goal. If I want that class to count…I need to take it again. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the definition of stupidity.

Those of you reading this entry who know me from my days at college might expect me to raise all hell and get this stupid clause reversed. Well, I’m not going to do it this time. I’m not interested in the fight nor am I interested in getting myself all wrapped up in an argument that I really don’t care about in the long run.

Speaking of the long run, I’m still getting a blockbuster deal. Assuming I teach this fall (which is locked in already) and next spring (which is 50/50 at this point), I’m still taking two of the required four classes for free. Plus, I still have the one course I took years ago that counts toward this program. That leaves one course that I have to pay for – not bad. I plan on working with my employer to split the cost of that one course (which should equal about $1,000 each). Either that, or I’ll just see if I can teach another course in the spring or next fall, which will allow me to take the necessary class to complete the certificate.

In any event, since this is somewhat a vanity certificate (in other words, I’m getting a credential that I don’t need for my current job and may only tangentially need in the future), I don’t see the need to fight what would be the good fight in this situation. At least this time…I’m just going to go with the flow.

Heading Back To School (I Think)

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I’ve spent some time over the last few months considering whether or not I want to go back to school. Actually, I KNOW that I want to go back to school at some point to earn a Doctorate, but that’s not what I’m referring to here.

What I’ve been mentally debating is whether or not I want to go finish up a Certificate Program that I (sort of) began a few years ago. Here’s the story as briefly as I can tell it…

Right after I graduated with my undergraduate degree, I enrolled at the same college for a Masters Degree. I enrolled in three classes and was so turned off by the remedial way that some of the professors in the program treated their students that I withdrew from two classes and only finished one of them (with an A, thank you very much). After that decision, I started going to Rutgers and eventually enrolled in – and completed – their masters program in public policy.

Then I was hired at my job and I began to look into Doctoral programs as well as certificate programs. Lo and behold, the program that I was previously enrolled in where I only finished one class had a certificate available for being a Public Relations Specialist. At the same time, my company was looking to have me and some of my coworkers get trained on some other aspects of our business. Since the local college (where I was enrolled and only finished one class) was offering a fundraising course, I took the course and completed it. Well, as a part of my research prior to taking the course, it turns out that both the course I had previously completed and the fundraising course were two of the four courses needed for this certificate. But it gets better…

I researched when the other two courses were offered and they are being offered this fall and next spring. And since I’m teaching at the local college this fall and next spring, I can take these courses for no charge. In essence, I can received this certificate in public relations free of charge.

Jackpot!

Anyway, to sum this story up, now I’m in the process of filling out the application and gathering all of the required information to enter this program and complete the certificate requirements. I’m not entirely sure how (or if) this will help me in my current occupation, but you never know. The one thing that I learned from going to college and graduate school is that the benefit of graduating is not the knowledge (though that’s nice), the benefit is access and networking. Perhaps while I’m enrolled in these two courses I’ll make a connection that could lead me to a job with higher compensation. I love my current job, but given the amount of work that I perform, they certainly aren’t paying me what I’m worth.

Who knows what will happen? All I know is that since I loved going to school, I’ll probably enjoy my time in this program.

Don Imus Really Doesn’t Like Black People

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Well, here’s some breaking news from the world of radio: Don Imus REALLY doesn’t like black people. Earlier today, Don Imus was speaking about Dallas Cowboys CB Adam “Pacman” Jones, who has dealt wtih a slew of legal troubles dating back to his time as a student at West Virginia. Jones recently decided to ditch the name “Pacman” in an effort to revamp his damaged image and leave his troubled past behind.

Imus and Warner Wolf discussed Jones’ meaningless public relations move on-air this morning:

Wolf: “Defensive back Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones, recently signed by the Cowboys. Here’s a guy suspended all of 2007 following a shooting in a Vegas night club.”

Imus: “Well, stuff happens. You’re in a night club, for God’s sake. What do you think’s gonna happen in a night club? People are drinking, they’re doing drugs. There are women there, and people have guns. So, there, go ahead.”

Wolf: “He’s also been arrested six times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005.”

Imus: “What color is he?”

Wolf: “He’s African-American.”

Imus: “Well, there you go. Now we know.”

Wow. There have been two early, albeit entirely different reactions to this rather new story. Some are calling for the immediate termination of Imus this afternoon, while others are arguing that Imus meant that it is no surprise that Jones has been arrested so frequently given that police profile blacks. Both groups are morons.

The notion that he was attacking the subject of racial profiling with his comments is absurd. Please. If he wanted to pontificate on such a complex and sensitive subject, surely he would have offered more than simply, “Well, there you go. Now we know.”

Don Imus is racist. Accept it. Don’t listen. And if you don’t want to support the companies that advertise on his show, then don’t. It’s his act, it’s what he gets paid to do, so why the hell is anybody actually surprised or even outraged at his recent comments? It was only a matter of time.