Another Beginning
Even before going back to Oswego, I looked at an online degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which is a gemstone regulatory agency. I had noticed, in the Rio Grande classes I took, that GIA certificates were highly valued, and as far as I can tell, that holds true. At any rate, I talked myself out of it at the time, and every time thereafter.
Fast forward to my returning to Oswego, to everyone's surprise, including my own. Since graduating, I've been somewhat adrift. I've been judging forensics, but that happens at most on Saturdays; there are Friday tournaments, but I have a prior commitment on Fridays. I took a couple of jewelry-related classes from Rio Grande, and went so far as to ask GIA for a distance-learning catalog. I sort of considered taking the classes when I got the first catalog, but I ended up not for whatever reason.
Last week something snapped, and on Monday I did something I had promised myself I wouldn't until the economy got better. I'm not willing to discuss what right now, but in waiting for it to resolve, I decided to look into GIA again. That I had just received the 2011 catalog in the mail wasn't the catalyst, but it didn't hurt.
Today, with Andy's blessing, I signed up for one of the 100-level distance learning courses. I had a choice between colored stones and diamonds, and I opted for colored stones. There is a 30-day full-tuition refund guarantee if I end up not liking it, and it is a required course in the sequence for a graduate gemologist. If it goes well I will also enroll in the 100-level diamond course, possibly consecutively but possibly concurrently.
I've done online distance-education before in preparation for returning to Oswego, so I know I can do it. The course is designed to take at most three months but, unlike my online theatre class, I can do it more quickly if I want to. Likewise with the 100-level diamond course. I don't know if I'll update about the course(s), but I figured I should mention them now in case I do start journalizing about them.
Fast forward to my returning to Oswego, to everyone's surprise, including my own. Since graduating, I've been somewhat adrift. I've been judging forensics, but that happens at most on Saturdays; there are Friday tournaments, but I have a prior commitment on Fridays. I took a couple of jewelry-related classes from Rio Grande, and went so far as to ask GIA for a distance-learning catalog. I sort of considered taking the classes when I got the first catalog, but I ended up not for whatever reason.
Last week something snapped, and on Monday I did something I had promised myself I wouldn't until the economy got better. I'm not willing to discuss what right now, but in waiting for it to resolve, I decided to look into GIA again. That I had just received the 2011 catalog in the mail wasn't the catalyst, but it didn't hurt.
Today, with Andy's blessing, I signed up for one of the 100-level distance learning courses. I had a choice between colored stones and diamonds, and I opted for colored stones. There is a 30-day full-tuition refund guarantee if I end up not liking it, and it is a required course in the sequence for a graduate gemologist. If it goes well I will also enroll in the 100-level diamond course, possibly consecutively but possibly concurrently.
I've done online distance-education before in preparation for returning to Oswego, so I know I can do it. The course is designed to take at most three months but, unlike my online theatre class, I can do it more quickly if I want to. Likewise with the 100-level diamond course. I don't know if I'll update about the course(s), but I figured I should mention them now in case I do start journalizing about them.