Jamie's Blog

The task was to tell a story with a message.

Lisa and I did a presentation on Circuit City. Namely, what steps it could’ve taken to recover circa early 2006.

The full presentation is available at Google Docs, and our written report can be found here.

Network World reports that the CS major is becoming more popular. I, for one, am glad that there will be increased competition in the field. I adhere to the principle of natural selection, since I am confident I am among the most fit.

At times I have considered returning for a CS Graduate Degree. After completing a majority of my MBA course-work, this seems an ever-slimming possibility. The only real benefit of pursuing such a degree would be to parley it into career in academia. The work would be rewarding, I’m sure, but there are salary considerations that are not easily shrugged off. I have been raised as a practical man, and that upbringing is at odds with the aims of an academic career which have more to do with the furthering of knowledge and the bettering of mankind then the expanding of one’s wallet.

MBA classes have continued with a steady pace. I have been trying to find time to keep up with the textbook and while I have set a good pace with statistics, I am behind in economics. The teacher is somewhat dry and likes to amuse himself with little stories. I don’t mean to sound critical–I’m not. I appreciate that everyone has a different teaching style.

The extra work has meant that I have not been reading lately. Instead, to unwind, I’ve been playing Double Dragon II. I’m very close to being able to beat it with only three extra lives.

I have been contemplating life and its course recently. I feel like doing something totally new, something totally unexpected. Maybe I’ll whisk Lisa away to some foreign land, and we’ll start our lives all over. Can I fight the future and buck the trend with the recklessness of youth?

It’s back to school time for kids again, back to lectures, books, and teachers dirty looks. I must be a kid again, because I’m going back to school too! This is the second week of the fall term, and two weeks into my graduate degree. I’m taking a Statistics class and an Economics class this term–both required. The great thing about required courses is that both tails of the distribution (ahh I’m using Stat) have to take them. It’s nice to be an outlier.

Here are some final updates on my life before this blog is closed, for those few who are interested and don’t feel like asking personally

I graduated Drexel University on June 11, 2005. The commencement began at around 9:00 AM and was nothing special. I now have a BS in Computer Science and minor in Mathematics, finishing with a GPA of 3.61, graduating cum laude.

I will be starting work on June 27, 2005 for a small financial consulting firm whose headquarters is in Devon, PA, called Smart and Associates. Pinky has already started work there.

I will be waiting to see my work schedule and discuss it with my supervisors before attempting further education. If time (and the school) permits, I will be attempting either an MBA or a MS in Information Systems at Penn State, Great Valley Campus. I may have to take introductory courses elsewhere to meet the prerequsites for these degrees.

I have moved back home to live with my parents in the attempt to save money to buy a house. We live in Glen Mills, PA, near Media. If you care to visit, feel free to drop by. My father loves for people to come over so he can show off the house.

Lisa and I will most likely not be getting married until 2007, due to familial obligations. Still, we are as happy as ever. She has started a job at J&J in its FLDP program. Yes, she makes more money than I will.

As we all grow older, may we all work towards success–a personal success that each individual must define for himself.

Thank to all those placed their vote in the poll! I really appreciate it that you took 1 minute to take interest in my future, as I will always be interested in yours and offer my skills, advice, and influence to you however I can.

I will try to let you all know what I decide in the future (probably between 2 and 5 years hence). I will most likely not be getting a Master and PhD in CS. It would be too monotonous, I think. True, I am good at it, but I would be good at any of the other majors because of how they are related.

Getting an MBA would be iffy, because business is probably my weakest subject, despite how often I make fun of Drexel business students. (Why Because I have little passion for it.) Also, the purpose of an MBA would be more in the interest of my career, whereas an MEng would be for my own knowledge and enjoyment. It would probably be my weakest subject.

I am leaning towards EE and CE right now, time will tell what I finally decide upon.

Please continue to vote and help me think about my future!

In other job-related news, someone called me from a consulting company today, asking if I had the skills necessary to complete some sort of 3-d Modelling software. I replied by asking how he got my cell number!

Haha…. well, after he told me, I said that although I did meet the reqs almost (honestly, only 1% of CS undergrads would meet the reqs necessary), I was too busy to sign up for the project. He then asked, “Do you know anyone who has the background necessary to complete this project” It made me laugh that the would ask someone he didn’t even know for a recommendation.

Unfortunately, practically no one I know (even the CS majors), knows enough about graphics and mathematics to do the project. Otherwise, someone could’ve had a job right then and there…. oh well!

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After talking with my dad tonight, I realized that most of my aunts may have Master degrees or an equivalent (such as a Pharmacist degree, whatever they are called). These fabulous aunts, my mother’s sisters, are immigrants who put themselves through school. In order to prevent shaming my parents, I’ll have to surpass not only them, but all of their children (one of which is a 14yr old girl who got a 1370 on her SATs last year–I’m runnin’ scared). So, if you’ve got a moment, help me decide my plans for Graduate education! It would be helpful to know that I’ll be receiving a BS in CS.

edit: of course it isn’t good to compare yourself to family members, but try telling that to your parents or relatives!!

edit: I should add that I do really enjoy learning, and I would also be completing these degrees for myself!

edit: From what Lisa tells me, Wharton is not #1 for MBAs–not that it sucks either…

edit: I don’t really think of myself as an overachiever…Rather, I think of others as underachievers…muahaha…

edit: By the time I finished 5+ Masters, 2+ PhDs (without going full time), I’d be ready to die … literally … I would be quite old.

M – Master of Engineering
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
EE – Electrical Engineering
CS – Computer Science
CE – Computer Engineering
MBA – Master of Business Administration
MEng – Master of Engineering