I tried to get my math minor. I was short by one credit. Turns out I can’t add. Sometimes people ask how I write good himbo dialog, and when things like that happen, I think maybe it’s cuz I’ve got a pretty strong himbo streak myself.
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I have a Master’s in Engineering, though I certainly don’t think that it’d put me any higher or better than others who may have lower levels of education. It’s all just a process of preparing us all to transition into society, what counts more is what you become and accomplish in society. Learning never stops beyond school; in fact, it’s really just the start of life lessons as you leave the school bubble.
I struggle to understand coding and programming, and I’m a complete dummy with computers and tech gadgets. So to me, you’re a genius expert! 
I’ve not incorporated any of my education and/or professional background into any of my stories, and don’t really have plans on doing so specifically. I compartmentalize the different circles of my life pretty well as I prefer to keep them separate. It gives me some escape from each of them, so when I immerse in one, I can totally tune out and forget about the others. Besides, I wouldn’t really know what or how to write engineering stuff into a gay hypno sex fantasy (it’s really just pretty mundane everyday science lol). 
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So I’m currently in a PhD program for Bioengineering. And I get 0 inspiration for my writing from my research topic, so far. I’m not even sure how to incorporate similar ideas as what I study into stories. The most grad school has influenced anything I’ve written was when I drafted a story with the main character who was a PhD student, but I scrapped that. Not saying it will never happen, but I’m not sure I could incorporate it in an engaging manner.
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I’ve often wondered how many GSS writers have an engineering or CS background, because I see so many stories that focus a lot on the mechanics of how the mind control devices work, with tons of exposition that reads to me like technical writing.
Although I have at least a bit of a STEM background myself–I’ve got an undergrad degree in math–I guess I’m a humanities major at heart, because I’ve always been more interested in how the mind control makes people feel and less interested in how it actually works.
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I do have a computer science background, but not at a higher education level; I was entirely self-taught. Ironically, so far as I know, that doesn’t show up in my writing at all beyond the occasional reference to a programmer or gamer.
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Absolutely! Since I retired from teaching, I’ve totally learned a new discipline and through that, I’ve come to realize that academia is largely bullshit. If you’re good at taking tests, you’ll get your academic degree. As you note, the true test of learning is applied knowledge.
One of the reasons this thread delights me is because it’s all about surprises! It’s fun to peak around the curtain a little.
With that in mind, I’m much prouder of earning my Personal Trainer cert at 50. I’ve made a second career as a Flexibility Specialist (in Partner-Assisted Stretching). I have five advanced certs in different methods and know anatomy better than any of my employees with Kinesiology degrees! (Academia, ha!)
The point is, no matter how old you are, dog, you can always learn new stuff! And it doesn’t have to happen at an Institution.
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As long as we’re talking about higher education…
Generally I read scholarly literature. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw this fairly brief review of a book that views video games through the lens of queer theory. (In brief queer theory means more than just a gay view; it’s more of looking at things from a transgressive or alternative view.) It reminded me strongly of the Star World series, where the video game is affecting the mind of the protagonist.
For those interested and who can digest academic language:
It probably doesn’t surprise anyone who’s interacted with me on the Discord but I’ve got a Master’s in a government/public affairs field. It doesn’t inform my writing per se but a lot of my worldbuilding and writing is very systems-oriented in a way that is almost certainly tied to my academic training and interests.
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I definitely recognize the “discipline” and focus in your writing.
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I have a BA in English and a M.Ed. in Higher Education. Before the pandemic, I was looking at possibly getting a second Master degree or pursuing a PhD. Most of my stories, if not all, have a college setting or education theme so my education does bring a lot of influence into my stories.
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Rumor has it that Wrestlr went back to school a few years ago and finished a Ph.D. in English literature, focused on experimental literature and literary theory. Neither field really spills over into my stories, most of which were posted before the graduate education resumed.
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Wow!!! A broad range of disciplines and knowledge sets among us. Maybe it might be the basis for a competition: incorporate something of your studies into a story. Like I said, for me, I can use a number of things from Japanese history and literature in a story.
I have an MA in Psychology. I focused my education on growing after a traumatic experience, and stigma around LGBTQ+ issues.
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Well my CV is not as impressive as many here but…
I just graduated in Advertising and Public Relationships and I’m currently making two Master’s degrees in similar fields (hoping to doctorate).
My studies do not per se focus on anything related to hypnosis or mind control (no, advertising is not mind control and subliminal advertising is not a thing either :'D) but I do feel that after studing something related to communication enything you see is JUST COMMUNICATION. E-VE-RY-WHE-RE.
Also I don’t really think I could ever write some hypno-thingy related to advertising, I would feel too dirty doing it :'D.
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Since you’re so prolific (and that I’ve read plenty of your stories) I find this really interesting. Even if the topic doesn’t spill into your writing, do you think the discipline that you gained in the Ph.D. (research, structured writing, whatever) would influence your writing?
Well, I find it difficult to incorporate my law studies into one of my stories xD I am currently in my last year of university.
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I have a P.D. in ancient history, and a couple of my stories involve ancient Rome and ancient Babylon. It was pretty involving to write erotic fiction so close to my area of study…
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I’m in grad school right now for my M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I try to stay away from incorporating stuff related to counseling in my stories for my own, like, ethical purposes. Not trying to make myself feel any type of way while I’m working lol
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Probably the opposite. I’d been posting stories for years before I entered college, and before I went back to grad school. More likely my interest in fiction led me to my academic field.
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As readers of my stories might guess, I am a history graduate. I also worked as an English teacher for many years. I am a voracious reader, averaging about five novels a week, particularly since lockdown.
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