Professors' children doing same course they're involved in!

Frank101

I'm not sure how common this is, but the mere idea of it doesn't sit right with me. In my case, it's a 4 year science course that you specialise in after the first two years. For me personally, if I was feeling somewhat indifferent about what degree outlet to choose after the first two years, I'd be inclined to make a point out of not choosing the course that my father's in!

It was only shortly before Christmas, that I realised that one of the fellas in the course, who happens to be a bit obnoxious, is the son of the head of department! It kind of made sense to me, and I felt like a bit of an idiot for not knowing. After realising that he'd been given a summer job last year in one of the department's labs, I thought this fella perhaps has a strong sense of entitlement.

Then the other day, for the class photo one of the professors went up to one of the girls and started putting arms around her sort of messing. I thought 'Gee, that's a bit much just because he was her supervisor' and I then quickly I thought 'maybe he happens to be a family relative'. I then copped they'd the same last name, and confirmed it with her. I felt like saying "that's a '****ing joke" to her, to think that there's not one, but two! At this rate, I'm sure every lecturer in the department would have all their kids doing this course! Have these students any sense of adventure what so ever? This course mustn't feel like a challenge at all to them. The main difference between them and regular students, is that there's no fear of the unknown.

On the day of final year results, to me it felt like somewhat of an achievement, but when there's two offspring who are dumped into the course standing next to you, it somehow takes the sense of achievement away. What's achievement to me and others, is something they knew they were going to get for the last 4 years or more. I mean, there are probably still things that I don't know about the course, (like how marks are given, & how lecturers pick students for projects and so fort) that these students knew all along.

What's more annoying is that neither of them seem particularly studious, and do not really give the impression that they care for their studies. The fella is always down the back of class wearing tracksuit pants, and he'd often be seen having a fag about the place.

The other thing about it is, how exactly did they end up here? Was it decided for them? or was it just encouraged. Are these lecturers just so over confident that their area of expertise is so interesting, nothing else is worth studying. I mean, if you're that successful a person, wouldn't you have the wisdom to encourage your child to find their own interest?

I just don't get it.

One eyed Jack

Frank101 wrote: »

I just don't get it.

I don't either tbh.

Winterlong

I would not worry about it OP, go live your life and dont be letting this chew you up. Daddy cant help them in the workplace (unless they decide to become lecturers in the same institution!!)

The Backwards Man

Are you sure that's a university?

Sounds like RTE to me.

edbrez

TCD natural sciences?

AnonoBoy

Frank101 wrote: »

What's more annoying is that neither of them seem particularly studious, and do not really give the impression that they care for their studies. The fella is always down the back of class wearing tracksuit pants, and he'd often be seen having a fag about the place.

Because as we all know nobody who ever wore tracksuit pants or smoked a cigarette was any good at studying?

Gyalist

edbrez wrote: »

TCD natural sciences?

I'm hoping that it isn't the English department.

thegreatgonzo

Frank101 wrote: »

I

The other thing about it is, how exactly did they end up here? Was it decided for them? or was it just encouraged.

I just don't get it.

Why don't you stop judging them and ask them these things?

osarusan

I heard that all the knowledge the father has acquired from study was passed down to them through his semen.

That's ridiculous if it's true. So unfair.

893bet

The bit about him having a sneaky fag is the best bit.

He will amount to nothing that fella will.

AnonoBoy

You're spending an awful lot of time worrying about other people that really have no effect on you, your academic performance or your own sense of achievement.

If you let some lad who's studying the same course that his auld lad lectures in affect your own personal sense of achievement for completing the course then the fault lies squarely at your feet dude.

Don't let it bother you. As the song goes "shake it off, shake it off." - Shake 'n Vac ads can teach us so much!

What a bizarre thing to be worrying about

I mean you can sit around worrying about what you want, but how bizarre

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2cMG33mWVY

Hercule Poirot

You should ask one of your lecturers if they want to adopt you, problem solved

Dave0301

Frank101 wrote: »

I mean, there are probably still things that I don't know about the course, (like how marks are given, & how lecturers pick students for projects and so fort) that these students knew all along.

Well if you ever bothered your hole to go and ask a lecturer these questions, or read the application forms for said projects you would know.

But no, this knowledge is reserved exclusively for family members :rolleyes:

eeguy

Life's too short to be worrying about stuff like that.
You'd get nothing done if you spent your life getting frustrated by the small stuff.

FizzleSticks

This post has been deleted.

People in following a similar career as their parents shocker!!

It's very common op for people to go down the same road as their parents or other close relations. One of my siblings is in the same profession as my father the other in the same profession as my mother and I'm in a broadly similar direction to my father and the same as an aunt and uncle of mine.

...they're...

Sh1tbag OToole

Back when I was in school the teachers made the point of *still giving out* to their own kids that were attending the same school to promote the idea that there was no favouritism.

There was still favouritism though, they were just more discreet about it.

Depp

Frank101 wrote: »

The fella is always down the back of class wearing tracksuit pants, and he'd often be seen having a fag about the place.

be careful and make sure you dont take a bad fall off your high horse there! get over yourself, christ!

Nonoperational

WTF? Maybe he was interested in it because his father fostered an interest in it. If anything I'd have thought that it would be perfectly reasonable to follow in a parents footsteps. The entry into 3rd level courses is governed by the CAO anyway and progression from general science to sub-specialities is decided based on results in previous years exams.

"often seen having a fag about the place"... jesus. You'd want to get that chip on the shoulder looked at or you won't go very far.

You are nearing the esteemed position of taking the prize for the most ridiculous thread I've seen on boards this month. That takes some work. Also, if you are applying for jobs, learn the difference between their, there and they're. It's basic.

Ficheall

Frank101 wrote: »

On the day of final year results, to me it felt like somewhat of an achievement, but when there's two offspring who are dumped into the course standing next to you, it somehow takes the sense of achievement away. What's achievement to me and others, is something they knew they were going to get for the last 4 years or more. I mean, there are probably still things that I don't know about the course, (like how marks are given, & how lecturers pick students for projects and so fort) that these students knew all along.

Don't worry, OP - two more people getting the degree won't make it any less of an achievement. You pay your fees, you gets your degrees. Simples.

StupidLikeAFox

osarusan wrote: »

I heard that all the knowledge the father has acquired from study was passed down to them through his semen.

That's ridiculous if it's true. So unfair.

It's mad what these scientists can do these days

Maireadio

They still have to learn the material like anyone else. Finals papers are corrected anonymously and checked by an external examiner. And it could be very likely that the father passed down a love of the subject by talking passionately about it at home.

Oh, and appearance has nothing to do with how studious one is.

And if my father could get me a summer job at his workplace and it was in my field, I'd grab it with both hands.

The end.

Maximus Alexander

I went into the shop the other day to get some Gaviscon because I'd had stomach flu and my digestion wasn't quite right afterwards. I wasn't sure how much the Gaviscon was or even where I'd find it in the shop, so I had to take 20 euro with me to make sure I had enough, and then look around until I found it.

Anyway, I was queuing up at the till and the guy in front of me started talking to the cashier, real friendly like. They started talking about what they were going to do that evening and I realised the were both going to the same party and they must be mates. Your man in front of me just casually put a couple of coins on the counter and didn't get any change, so it occurred to me that he must have known the prices of his items before he came into the shop, and probably didn't even have to look around to find them.

It's like he had no sense of adventure. He could have gone to the shop down the road but instead he had to come to the one his friend worked at and it really took away from my sense of self satisfaction at having managed to navigate the shop on my own, without any insider info.

It left a bad taste in my mouth to be completely honest. Not the Gaviscon. Well, also the Gaviscon.

The Randy Riverbeast

Someone who works in a university probably has an interest in the area, lives nearby and I think family members can attend for free.

If a person has developed an interest in an area from the their father, live near a university and can get in without fees. Where do they go?

h2005

They're, their, there! No need to get so worked up about it. Is it a grammar course?

Filing this one under "little to be worried about" and crossreferencing to "paranoid" with a note to check later

TheBiz

A lot of people go into a field because their parents are/were in it.
Not to mention having their parent teach the course basically means 'free grinds'.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

rawn

Why are you assuming they're getting special treatment? Exams are graded anonymously and they are checked by a third-party examiner, whom I'm sure is well aware of the relationship already. I don't understand why you seem so upset over it, it's extremely common for family members to follow their parent's paths.

snor

Have to say I find this a very disturbing post - op sounds like a troubled soul. He has just finished exams, The whole summer ahead of him and guess what is worrying him? Extremely odd.

Frank101

Dave0301 wrote: »

Well if you ever bothered your hole to go and ask a lecturer these questions, or read the application forms for said projects you would know.

But no, this knowledge is reserved exclusively for family members :rolleyes:

Are you saying that you know everything that's made publicly available in writing? One doesn't get around to reading everything for a whole host of reasons.

Eugene Norman

There's no indication even in the op's rant that they get preferential treatment. And if they want to do a course where their parents teach, so be it.

Little to be worrying ya, op.

mansize

OP

Life's not fair.

But their doesn't seem to be much unfair about what you described

Frank101

Maireadio wrote: »

They still have to learn the material like anyone else. Finals papers are corrected anonymously and checked by an external examiner. And it could be very likely that the father passed down a love of the subject by talking passionately about it at home.

But the son can ask him about anything he doesn't understand at home, and the rest can't. That mere thought would make things a whole lot less stressful. Nothing you can say about that.

mansize

They could feel under more pressure because of their parent's academic achievements- that could cause stress.

They may feel under pressure to be up to speed on all material by their parent and fear asking a question would show a gap in knowledge

You don't know what's going on inside other people's heads or the lives of others

Frank101

rawn wrote: »

Why are you assuming they're getting special treatment? Exams are graded anonymously and they are checked by a third-party examiner, whom I'm sure is well aware of the relationship already.

that was never what i was assuming!

Frank101

mansize wrote: »

They could feel under more pressure because of their parent's academic achievements- that could cause stress.

Not in this case - shur I see him out the back smoking... a scientist smoking!? hmm

mansize wrote: »

They may feel under pressure to be up to speed on all material by their parent and fear asking a question would show a gap in knowledge

What you'd be afraid of asking your own parent a question?

unseenfootage

Frank101 wrote: »

. The fella is always down the back of class wearing tracksuit pants, and he'd often be seen having a fag about the place.

What I don't get is how a rif raf like this fella got a summer job at college...

mansize

Frank101 wrote: »

Not in this case - shur I see him out the back smoking... a scientist smoking!? hmm
What you'd be afraid of asking your own parent a question?

You have no problem asking your parents anything?

Daddy, where's my Silver Spoon???

Some people smoke to relieve stress

Depp

Frank101 wrote: »

Not in this case - shur I see him out the back smoking... a scientist smoking!? hmm

are you for real? :D chill out a bit things'll be easier!

rawn

Frank101 wrote:

that was never what i was assuming!

Then i honestly don't get why it bothers you!

Hollister11

Sure a lad in my brothers year got head boy, and so did his brother. There mother is vice principal of the school.

unseenfootage

Frank101 wrote: »

Not in this case - shur I see him out the back smoking... a scientist smoking!? hmm

These days it is unacceptable for anyone to smoke in public..

Maireadio

Frank101 wrote: »

But the son can ask him about anything he doesn't understand at home, and the rest can't.

So study. Ask your tutors questions. Ask your professors questions.

Some people do have advantages in life, and that is never going to change. Instead of feeling aggrieved because of it, put your head and neutralise their advantage. It will also instill a work ethic in you that will be invaluble.

Story Bud?

I don't think kids whose parents are secondary school teachers should be allowed sit the leaving. Totally unfair advantage.

Debil

Frank101 wrote: »

Not in this case - shur I see him out the back smoking... a scientist smoking!? hmm

Shur wasn't Einstein himself known to go out for a sneaky fag?

Frank101

Frank101 wrote: »

...shur I see him out the back smoking... a scientist smoking!? hmm

That's umpossible...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj33-xWnVdw

sullivlo

Kids following parents career path. Shocker.

Think you have your knickers in a twist about nothing. I work in academia. Does nepotism occur? Of course. But it's no worse than in any other field of work.

Students simply don't get special treatment because of who their parents are. It's likely that the parents simply help the students at home. Which is perfectly acceptable.

Hercule Poirot

In National School there was this ass whose mammy was the teacher - guess who always got his milk first? Conspiracy!

Yer Aul One

Frank101 wrote: »

The fella is always down the back of class wearing tracksuit pants, and he'd often be seen having a fag about the place.

THE DEN?

May god have mercy on us all...