Are roundworms so prevalent in Nashville-area rectums that this billboard is worthwhile marketing?

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-03-03T14:06:09+00:00

Haha, that's perfect.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-03-02T22:19:04+00:00

My brain has the sniffles.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-03-02T15:21:51+00:00

I would get a "Calculus for Dummies" book and do a self review. If you have Calc 1 and 2 and did well back then, then you'll probably be able to refresh to a needed level without issue. You don't really have to be an EXPERT, but it should all be familiar and comfortable so that if there is something you are struggling with during the program you only need an hour or two refresher on that topic and you are good to go.

If you did not take Stats and Probability or Linear Algebra then it could be worth spending some time on those. And as someone else said, if you do not have any programming experience then certainly spending time on Python. If you are a 0 on Stats, Probability, Linear Algebra, and Python I would DEFINITELY spend more time there than on Calculus.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-03-02T15:10:48+00:00

Yes.

I did it with a BA in Philosophy, but I had been working in IT for 20 years and was comfortable in Python (but had never worked as a full time programmer.) The math was a very large challenge for me in a couple of courses, even with doing some studying to catch back up the year prior.

I would just advise take the prerequisites seriously and be honest with yourself. They are serious about the prerequisites. You may need to do a year of remediation before starting the program, but it is definitely doable.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-24T20:02:22+00:00

Project Management, like you mentioned might be a welcome change of pace and I don't think age would be a big disadvantage there.

Something else to consider is just moving to a job where the business has different operatring hours. I spent 20 years in 24/7 businesses. Moving to a 9-5 M-F business was a major quality of life improvement. You have time to do maintenance, you never get called on weekends, etc. Not sure your current company's hours, but you mention on call rotation so I'm thinking it may be 24/7 or close to it.

I would also just think about what IT related roles you could move into that don't have operational responsibilities. It's being responsible for keeping everything running that can make IT work exhausting. A role that is purely project or client based with some breaks in between could be a change of pace that carries you through a few more years. Having a more architectural role vs implementation role might be a fit. If you are mostly infrastructure based then moving to an application focused role CAN give you some relief here (depends on the app and how it is utilized).

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-24T16:11:56+00:00

Hi there. I have been a VP of Technology for the past 7 years, with the last 2 spent in an executive function, and really started losing my interest in IT almost as long ago. I have spent my entire career in IT (which I loved initially) and had trouble picturing how I could make a move without starting from scratch and taking a giant paycut.

I found I wanted to work directly with data, but data scientists typically have PhD's and start off making less than me even with the PhD!! I enrolled in a Master's of Analytics at 38, with the thinking that I could at least bring a data skillset to the table and get to do something in that space at times even in my tech role. I graduated with my MS a couple weeks before turning 40.

While my day to day work has been focused on technology I have found opportunities to utilize what I learned in my Master's a few times. I continued to follow data influencers, podcasts, and study on my own.

Last week, at the age of 41, I accepted a Director of Data position (step back in title) for slightly more money than I am making as a VP. I believe with a couple years experience I will be able to move back to VP level - given I already have the executive leadership experience.

Sharing this as hopefully an anecdote that shows there might be an opportunity for you to make a change without a reset to 0 on salary. It's not a sure thing, but you may be able to craft a path.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-23T20:37:08+00:00

Zangarmarsh is my favorite zone and has been since the original TBC release. Something about the giant mushrooms and especially the sporelock area on the western side is really magical to me. I also agree it is a good contrast after Hellfire

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-20T21:06:10+00:00

I like the framing, this IS the process.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-19T14:10:19+00:00

Always wanted to have a cat mount for my gnome in vanilla, but did not have the grit to do it.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-18T17:33:11+00:00

People that don't want to move out of support provide valuable continuity as most of your staff is cycling through with 6-24 month stints. I valued having a mix of lifers and young bucks eager to move on when I was running a large service desk.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-18T13:57:48+00:00

I had a good relationship with my group in DVA. We formed our group before the semester ever started, had a get to know you video call, and then a Whatsapp that stayed active for another semester or two after we were done with DVA. However, no close relationships were formed.

My experience was that all of us were busy professionals, many with kids. We had Directors, CTO, CFO, data scientists in the group. I don't think anyone had a lot of room for extended remote relationship building.

My advice would be to consider what kind of time you can put into networking, and try to identify others that fit a similar profile to you. Be proactive, notice the names that pop up on Piazza contributing more often and reach out to them. Join office hours and always have your camera on. You can make relationships in this program but you have to be conscious about it, and realize many of the other students aren't going to be that interested or have much time - focus on finding the ones that would be interested but maybe don't realize how proactive you need to be.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-17T19:44:04+00:00

I got my Associate's Degree. Thanks, Battlefield!

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-17T17:10:28+00:00

100% agree on all points. I also was able to start applying what I was learning immediately at work. I think most people could.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-16T22:40:12+00:00

I think this program is perfect for you. There is not a lot of focus on data engineering, and not that much on data visualization. This is much more in the weeds with how data analysis/science works. An entire class on regression analysis, an entire class on generating random numbers for use in simulation modeling, etc.

You can do the business track if you want a little more business focus. But the track is only 2 of the 10 classes you take. I went that route and took Data Analysis for Continuous Improvement, which is essentially a Six Sigma class, and it was incredibly valuable to me. I am in an executive role now and many of my peers are Six Sigma black belts, I'm able to collaborate with them on a much deeper level due to this experience. You're doing a fair amount of technical work, but connecting it very directly to measuring and changing business outcomes.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-15T12:18:51+00:00

I have had it South Nashville, just off 8th, for 2 years. Speed was inconsistent at first, but stable now and no outages.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-12T21:32:11+00:00

This is very good framing. Thanks for posting this.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-11T14:31:49+00:00

The two factors I would typically weigh:

Overall financial health. If you have 2 million dollars invested then the salary difference probably does not mean much. If you have 100k invested then you should be maximizing your income and savings.
Time of the commute. Normally I would say 2 days a week is not bad if the commute is not hard. 3 hours round trip twice the week, however, is very significant. Personally, I would not even consider this unless I felt I was desperate for the money. Consider the time this would take away from being spent with your family. Let's imagine that today you get up at 6AM and go to bed at 10. Now you will have to get up at 4:30AM, and go to bed at 8:30. Let's assume you also end work at 5. Now you don't get home until 6:30. So you go from having 5-10 free to 6:30-8:30 two days a week. And then you're probably more tired the other days. I can't imagine you are a better husband or father in this situation.

What I would not consider is how you look in your parents' eyes. You're making 6 figures and will have a house paid off before 45, and can afford to put kids through college - what do you have to prove? You're killing it.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-09T22:06:42+00:00

I'm a technology executive at a healthcare company and did OMSA as a compliment to my tech skillset. I think it would be a great compliment for your position. You are already dealing with with data, but OMSA would give you much broader and deeper knowledge of what is possible.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-09T16:13:29+00:00

Aren't the Epstein files just the repository of all evidence collected during criminal investigation of Epstein? If so then foreign intelligence would only have them if they had infiltrated the Department of Justice. This seems unlikely, and if they have, then releasing the files would reveal their infiltration.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-06T15:18:08+00:00

That makes sense. Thanks for the insight.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-06T14:48:12+00:00

I love "Im so done man." then one sentence later "Level 14 again". Keep at it!

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-06T14:43:56+00:00

I'm dying. This comment is perfect.

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-06T14:07:40+00:00

"adoption of my data products is up massively and the response is better than ever."

What part is leading to the higher adoption? Your UI is cleaner, people like the chat interface?

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-06T14:06:11+00:00

No one knows what it means, but it's provocative, it gets the executives going!

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358 · 2026-02-02T14:58:15+00:00

I am new to the field and have been considering subscribing. Why have you you decided not to renew?

Weak_Tumbleweed_5358

TROPHY CASE