I may have mentioned in a previous post that I was planning on going back to school. Well, 'back' is probably the wrong word. See, the longest I have ever been out of school was from the time I was born until age 5. So for those of you that are counting, I've had 25 consecutive years of schooling. I literally can't not learn.

Since I defended my dissertation, it's been a string of teaching myself things. I've been knitting, and sewing. I bought a violin to pick up where I left off (but the cats have eaten 2 bows). I've started taking yoga classes. These are all good things. They are more like hobbies though, and they really aren't scratching the itch that I need.

The admissions person called me to let me know that I was accepted to the program last week, and to let me know that I could start the following week if I wanted. She had been asked to ask me (the convolution was interesting, because I know the head of the department) for the department head why I wanted to do this program because I already had a PhD. I kind of lied a little. I told them that I wanted to get a biotech MBA, but there were classes that I am able to teach in the curriculum, and this program was the closest I could find that would be similar. My real answer: I'm bored. I need a learning fix. Tuition remission is a fringe benefit at work.

That's my whole reason for going back: because I can. I don't necessarily think that I need the degree to further my career at my current place of employment, although it won't hurt. I don't think that this program will give me great insight into it's topic, but it will teach me things. The program is different enough that I will actually have to do work/pay attention. I will get my fix of learning and discussion and validation through this program. Here are my questions: Will this be something I continue to do? Will I become one of those people that collect degrees seemingly needlessly? Will the quilting together of degrees that seem to have nothing to do with each other (biology, infectious diseases, environmental studies, engineering) hobble me in a future job market? Will I be over-educated?

I talked to my boss yesterday about signing off on this program. He thinks is a cool idea and has no problem with it. Funnily enough, he asked me if I wanted to do this because I wanted the knowledge or the degree. He proceeded to tell me about a bunch of other programs that I could do once I told him knowledge. He's actually quite a cool boss.

I've been joking for years that my 'dream job' would be working at a think tank. I really don't know what they do at think tanks, but I imagine that there are people sitting around, reading, researching, discussing and coming up with brilliant ideas. That's kind of what I do now (except now I have to implement them as well).

So, I ask you readers: Once you get your degree, are you going to be done? Do you think that boredom is an adequate reason to get another degree? For those of you higher up: will this hurt me eventually?

(Blogging is going to be light until I start this program. I figure that I'll have a lot to blog about once I actually start classes. I am also making a prediction that I will, once again, be the only girl.)