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mel's post and grad school

updated sat 18 oct 08

 

Deborah Thuman on thu 16 oct 08


Mel says to ask: `are you interested in a 40 plus guy with four kids?`

if they say no...hell, sue em.

Deb says: - sue them in Federal Court where if you win, the university
has to pay your lawyer's fees.

As for "non-traditional" students - I've always been one of those. I
started college at age 25 and graduated with about 150 credits and a
dual degree. (I wanted to get my money's worth.) I started law school
on my 38th birthday. I've been taking classes at the local university
since January 2000. I'm old enough to eat off the senior menu without
lying about my age. My experience has always been that teachers love
older students. I'm not there to party, find a spouse, join a frat/
sorority, or find myself. I'm there because I have a goal and I want
to learn.

Right now, there's a grad student at the university working in the
clay studio. He taught high school for a few years before going for an
MFA. He's one of the nicest people I've ever met and incredibly helpful.

So... yes, sue the people who discriminate on the basis of age - but
go to a school that is interested in having older students. Most
important of al..... NEVER let age stop you. Unless you're already
dead, you can reach any goal you want.

Deb Thuman (who will one day actually throw a decent pot)
http://debthumansblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5888059

tony clennell on fri 17 oct 08


Tony the other one-aka Fergie: I think Mel gave ya the right answer.
It was another version of my 2 profs recruiting at Nceca. I enquired
as you have of Clayart and the Mfa trek. Encouragement came in the
form of " Why bother there are already 350 applicants per job, I never
got another interview after 45, etc, etc.
If Mel told ya the world awaits you Fergie Mfa he'd be leading you
down the garden path.
I've made a life outta doing exactly what people say ya can't do. Ask
anyone on this list if they could make a living and raise a family as
a potter and then ask them if this potter could wood fire and produce
shino and ash glazed pots.
I guess I'm going to have you look at your competition. You know who
they are!!! One of them is me! What have they got that you need to do.
You've been on the right track- workshops, exhibitions, Invitationals
such as the AKAR Yunomi are good,publishing, international travel and
study. Pile it higher and deeper. Then ya just have to trust your cape
and jump off the damn garage roof and see if ya can fly. What's the
worst that can happen? You don't get a job! Hell, the sun will shine
again tomorrow, the world will not come to an end, others will have
bought new cars for more than it cost you for your degree. Their cars
will rust and breakdown and your degree will last your entire life.
You will not sit there and see jobs advertised that you can't apply
for cause you don't have that drivers license with the Mfa stamp on
it. I'd rather feel the rejection on the track than feel it sitting in
the stands as an onlooker.
Remember Fergie " If it were easy, everyone would be doing it."
Making sinks for the local winery today and then off to do another
workshop this weekend in Brantford. Some old and dear friends will be
there that are thinking about change. I get as much as I give from
these sessions.
Cheer up man! There is good company on this list of people that have
tried, are trying and will try.
Best,
Tony
Tony



On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 4:38 PM, Deborah Thuman wrote:
> Mel says to ask: `are you interested in a 40 plus guy with four kids?`
>
> if they say no...hell, sue em.
>
> Deb says: - sue them in Federal Court where if you win, the university
> has to pay your lawyer's fees.
>
> As for "non-traditional" students - I've always been one of those. I
> started college at age 25 and graduated with about 150 credits and a
> dual degree. (I wanted to get my money's worth.) I started law school
> on my 38th birthday. I've been taking classes at the local university
> since January 2000. I'm old enough to eat off the senior menu without
> lying about my age. My experience has always been that teachers love
> older students. I'm not there to party, find a spouse, join a frat/
> sorority, or find myself. I'm there because I have a goal and I want
> to learn.
>
> Right now, there's a grad student at the university working in the
> clay studio. He taught high school for a few years before going for an
> MFA. He's one of the nicest people I've ever met and incredibly helpful.
>
> So... yes, sue the people who discriminate on the basis of age - but
> go to a school that is interested in having older students. Most
> important of al..... NEVER let age stop you. Unless you're already
> dead, you can reach any goal you want.
>
> Deb Thuman (who will one day actually throw a decent pot)
> http://debthumansblog.blogspot.com/
> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5888059
>



--
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http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com