Friday, April 24, 2009

Back to School

The secret's out (i.e. my boss has been told), so it's safe to post this to a public place - i'm going back to school! i'll be starting a Master's program in Statistics this fall at Portland State University. i've been feeling like the math in my life has been sorely lacking lately, so i'm very excited about this. My goal is to get a job doing analysis for a sports team. Even if that doesn't work out, though, i'm sure i'll enjoy the next couple of years and come out with the ability to find a job that i can enjoy.

There is one caveat - i need to pass an advanced calculus course this summer with a B or better. Michelle and i are of the opinion that 'Advanced' should be reserved for things other than the description of this course, but that could just be Caltech talking. Regardless, it will probably be good to get back in the swing of things with a course like this - i really haven't done calculus in 7 years.

Michelle has been awesome throughout this whole thing - very supportive and encouraging of a big career change while raising a child. i definitely would not even be thinking of doing this if she were not behind me 110% (just kidding - 100%. i don't believe in 110%).

6 unique comments:

Adam said...

Wow! Chad that's great. I always thought that software programmer didn't quite suit your impressive math and physics brian. Are you going full time or are you going to work and school? Is the masters a 2 year deal? Good luck!

chad said...

i'm not sure if i will work or not, but at most it would be half-time work. It is a 2-year program, about 3 classes per quarter. The harder part for me will probably be trying to make contacts and get known outside of school.

Ryan J. Parker said...

What's your background, Chad? You're taking the MTH 311 course? I just finished the equivalent here at the CofC... I enjoyed the proofs. :)

chad said...

I have a bachelors' in physics from Caltech and I have been working as a software developer for the past 7 years. I'm looking forward to the class as a refresher, but Caltech was pretty math-intensive, so I'm pretty sure I've covered it all before. I'm pretty sure I will enjoy the proofs as well. :)

Ryan J. Parker said...

Very cool. Poor guys... I'm sure you've got the necessary toolkit already. 8)

Anonymous said...

لك شو هيدا يا هاني!!!! .لوووووللل .بالمناسبة معي صديقي من جمعية الرفق بالديناصور بوجهلك تحية, و حابب يتعاون معك و بيدعيك لتغطي سبق الديناصورات يللي عم تنظمو الجمعية شهر الجايز لووول موفقة