What field are they in? In some fields, it takes very few extra classes to get additional undergrad degrees, and some of those could be covered by electives that you have to take anyway. Same with some graduate programs, if it is in business or something where you take classes and don't need a thesis.
I have an undergrad and grad cert in Journalism, an undergrad cert in TEFL, three bachelors (a BA in Teaching English, a BS in Arabic Translation and a BA Islamic Studies) and two Masters (one in Arabic and the other Islamic Studies and no they are not combined as it's done here in the US). Why? Because a translator must have mastery over the source and target language as well as the subject matter (Arabic, English and Islamic Studies). I started out in Journalism at a Tech School, went to college for TEFL and Arabic Trans. Then, Malaysia for Islamic Studies. Not everyone is lazy, gets a degree to make money or hates going to school. Some people love learning. Two Masters is very common in Medicine, Law, Business, Architecture and Engineering. Zubair Ali Za'i did something similar. In fact he motivated me to do the same (although I don't speak 5 languages like he did). One of my professors in college was a Nun who had 4 degrees as well.
Coach G wrote:
It's called avoiding the real world of employment
brainio wrote:
Assuming he's telling the truth, why would anyone do that?
+1
I've known a few of those. Late 20s living with roommates in a small college town, working part-time at the bookstore and food co-op, still haven't written the thesis to get th at useless masters, still running (but not improving), afraid to grow up and living a comfortable lifestyle. (Eugene, OR. Austin, and Amherst, MA,ARE full of 'em)
Margaritaville wrote:
Why not?
Maybe that's what he likes to do. I know a guy who has six cars and spends his time making music (not his profession). I know several guys who retired in their 40s and spend all their time fishing or traveling.
What's so great about the "real world"?
Lots of people spend their time, money, and resources on unnecessary things and try to avoid the "real world". If they have the time and money to do it, more power to them.
Don't pick on Jimmy Buffett.
Occasional voice wrote:
Let me guess, he's quick to point this out.
The dumbest people I have known try their damnedest to convince others they are smart. It sounds like this is just the extreme example.
See if he noticeably tries to appear intelligent in conversation or show off what he knows without being prompted. If he does you have a full-blown shithead on your hands and you should avoid him at all costs.
The opposite is true as well. The smartest people I have known don't attempt to appear smart or intelligent in everyday conversation.
Hear, hear. People who've worked with my wife for ten years have never known that she's got an (Ivy) Ph.D. The degree is not relevant for the field she and they are working in, so no point in bringing it up.
On the other hand I've met other people who have a doctorate (also in a field not relevant to our discussion) and they've told me about it in the first ten minutes of our conversation.
To avoid having to work.
Did he later come into the LR message board and post his recent 5k pr?
I’ve got more than one postgrad degree and I’m neither poor nor unemployed. My better half has just one and neither of us questions the other’s choices in education.
Don’t mistake learning for just taking classes. Those of you who do need to at least get that GED before you form an opinion.
First I went for an Accounting certificate. I earned an AAS and had credits for a Business Management certification with no extra work at one school and transferred to a different school to do my BS. I learned that I have the credits for an AGS with no additional work so I took it. I then learned I was one credit away from an AA so I did that too. While working on my BS I learned I qualified for the BA with no additional work and will be getting that once my BS is complete. I am also in a dual degree program for my MBA while I do my double bachelors. Those credits apply to both the BS and MBA. Sometimes your credits apply in other areas with no extra work so why not?
Ghostofblinkie wrote:
First I went for an Accounting certificate. I earned an AAS and had credits for a Business Management certification with no extra work at one school and transferred to a different school to do my BS. I learned that I have the credits for an AGS with no additional work so I took it. I then learned I was one credit away from an AA so I did that too. While working on my BS I learned I qualified for the BA with no additional work and will be getting that once my BS is complete. I am also in a dual degree program for my MBA while I do my double bachelors. Those credits apply to both the BS and MBA. Sometimes your credits apply in other areas with no extra work so why not?
Not bad for a computer Bot.
Unlike Republicans and right-wingers, he values education.
He will be selling real estate in a few years, mark my works.
Why do you write that? Is selling real estate worth it? It is not guaranteed income unless you keep selling homes.
He likes school.
let the man live, brah
If we were to talk to someone with 3 undergraduate degrees and 2 master degrees, the reasons usually make sense.
A. Moving to follow a spouse then needing to transfer schools.
B. Moving for a job then needing to transfer schools.
C. Work opportunities. Instead of just taking a few courses to meet a minimum requirement at work, might as well obtain an additional b.a. or b.s. or m.a. or m.s.
D. Requirements for one degree is often close to requirements for another.
E. Employer may pay 100% tuition.
Know someone who had 2 BS, 3 master's degrees, and a Ph.D.
Math/phys double-major undergrad. Did a physics masters and decided not to go further. Before pursuing more intense graduate work, took time off school and began teaching without needing a teaching degree at the outset. Could get free tuition while teaching, so got a master's in teaching. Then went to get the MS and Ph.D. in math. Has worked in R&D for a major company since.
Fear.
Some people enjoy learning, I knew a few people who had double majors just for the hell of it. I would suspect he got the multiple masters degrees to open up career opportunities, though. This thread is kind of useless without knowing what the degrees are in, or what he does for a living.
brainio wrote:
Assuming he's telling the truth, why would anyone do that?
DC is filled with people like this. Not good at work or other things, just into studying and getting their self-worth that way.
My sister's father-in-law has 3 master's degrees, and he works at a normal job as a legal document processor. His partner (my sister's MIL) has the same exact job but never graduated college.