Trying to EDUCATE Myself

Education has been a term closely associated with me and my family for several centuries now. As far as I can remember, all male members in my family starting from my great grandfather have been teachers, professors, research workers etc. During my childhood days I used to have long discussions with my father on most of my actions, and the sole point of those discussions was - was that action right or wrong? Could it have been done better differently? The discussions used to range from logic, illogic, philosophy, practicality, emotionality, spirituality, to sheer annoyance ;-)
But overall, I felt I was getting educated through it all. And truly, I learnt a lot. Most of my life now can be rationally defined through many of those discussions.

When I went to college for a Computer Science education, I did not attend classes I did not like. I really worked hard on subjects I liked. Fortunately or unfortunately, I could still clear the exams I did not like. Finally I attained all the degrees I needed for the job, but education only in areas I liked. Fortunately or unfortunately, I landed up in jobs only in the areas I studied in college (nopes, back then, in India, any job looked good, choices were meagre).

After landing up closer to Stanford, I joined their academic department and started attending their courses, working extra hours learning new stuff. It was so damn interesting. The question that is left open to me now is - should I continue doing individual courses because I like them, or should I plan for a degree from Stanford while I am at it? And frankly, I now see a certificate/degree as an insult to the entire concept of education. If people wish to respect someone simply because he/she holds a PhD or an MBA from a top notch university, shouldn't we start redefining our views for them ?

During one of the courses at Stanford, I clearly mentioned to the professor and the assistants that I have no intention of learning all the things that are being taught in this course. I had more intention to learn some part of that course in more detail then the rest. He simply could not do anything about it because the other students (regular guys, working for their certificate) needed that education. I immediately realized I do not want to be one of them. Even with programming assignments they had bunch of stuff which was required but seemingly useless and a wastage of time to me. Again, they could not do anything about it.

I have come to the bitter conclusion that I do not want to be another engineer, or another manager, or another executive anymore. I want to be what I was born to be. And now comes the big question - What on earth is that ?????

Well, for now I will be content with the fact that I realized something nice today. I will be happy to have thought that the certifications of this world are not of any further interest to me. And I will be curious to know what way is then my way. Any pointers are welcome....