I earned my Masters in Computer Science early in my career (25 plus years ago), then earned a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential that was expedited (and to the most part required) by the job I held about 15 years ago.
Five years ago in my current job, I had the opportunity (and took it) to earn an MBA on my employers dime
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Then I rolled right into working on my PE. Sort of going back and forth between left-brain and right-brain challenges.
Now I am really not really sure what I should do next.
I think I may be a little too old (and too tired, and too broke) to go for a Doctorate as a follow-on to one of my two Master's Degrees, since that would take another five years (and needing to take out a student loan I could never repay prior to retirement). Though I seriously considered doing just that rather than going for my PE a couple of years ago. As a side note, since I work for a State Agency, I believe I actually may have reached the point of diminishing returns on education and certifications as career enhancers. This is sort of hard to explain unless you are working for a similar organization, but I was already feeling the negativity from co-workers and vintage management after earning an MBA (considering the credentials I already had under my belt, and the mentality I am surrounded by where 'time in grade' is the only appreciated credential). I am quite concerned (and fairly certain) that even more negativity will follow now that I've earned a PE. I know that sounds sad, but I do believe that to be a truth.
At this moment (as I write this), I am thinking on just switching back to right-side-brain improvements, and reading some of the classic literature I have always wanted to delve into. I've heard that switching back and forth like that helps keep a human brain healthy as it ages (and keeps some of the 'marbles' where they belong). Another option would be to focus on writing a book of my own that might impart some of what I have learned in life to those in the line behind me. Does anyone else out there love the Country Music song, "Humble and Kind", by Tim McGraw?