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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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A Hypothetical Question
Let's say you spent your 20's pursuing your education - your goal was to ultimately have a doctorate. Real life intervened (as in your parents stopped paying for your education and you had to get a real job and decide if you wanted to rack up student loans).
Fast forward a dozen or so years. You have kids, a full time job (not in the field you studied) and you are living a personal version of happily ever after. BUT.. you still don't have that degree you were longing for.
Would you try to carve out the time to meet that goal - even though the degree would not help advance you in your career at all? Would you do it just because you think it would be nice to complete what you set out to do?
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Posted 3/29/08 12:27 PM  |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: A Hypothetical Question
if i could afford to go back and get my doctorate, i would - but for me, even though it wouldn't help advance my career, it would help me professionally, because i am working in the field i got my masters in.
ETA: even if it didn't help me, career wise, i probably still would give it a try because how cool would it to be able to call yourself dr.? 
Message edited 3/29/2008 12:30:08 PM.
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| Posted 3/29/08 12:29 PM |
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neenie
Member since 5/05 22351 total posts
Name:
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Re: A Hypothetical Question
I'm all about education and the feeling of personal fulfillment, but i would have to really think about it and weigh the options if it wasn't going to advance my career in anyway. Classes themselves (not even including books, supplies, etc) are so expensive and even more important to me- they require so much time. I find time to be a rare commodity. Education is definitely an investment in personal fulfillment, but i also think it should be an investment that shows a return either in your paycheck, or by getting you into a better position career-wise. If going back would do neither, i'm not sure that i would do it.
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| Posted 3/29/08 1:10 PM |
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SoinLove
Making big changes
Member since 5/05 16541 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: A Hypothetical Question
If it's affordable, absolutely!
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| Posted 3/29/08 1:18 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: A Hypothetical Question
Posted by neenie
I'm all about education and the feeling of personal fulfillment, but i would have to really think about it and weigh the options if it wasn't going to advance my career in anyway. Classes themselves (not even including books, supplies, etc) are so expensive and even more important to me- they require so much time. I find time to be a rare commodity. Education is definitely an investment in personal fulfillment, but i also think it should be an investment that shows a return either in your paycheck, or by getting you into a better position career-wise. If going back would do neither, i'm not sure that i would do it.
ITA. I am graduating with my doctorate in a month (yay!), but besides the money (over $60,000 of loans), it was a huge time commitment, and meant giving up countless weekends and months with family and friends over the course of four years (and I am graduating sooner than most). If I had children (and I put off starting a family because I wanted this before having to choose between children and this degree), I wouldn't sacrifice the missed time during the years of their childhood for a degree that wouldn't help my career in any way. Plus, I think I'd rather put the money into college accounts for them instead of putting it into a degree that won't really pay for itself. It's nice being able to call yourself dr., but it's a very expensive ego boost.
I don't have children, but I know when I do, I'd rather spend weekends with them than in front of a computer as I have for the past four years. I think it's kind of hard for anyone who hasn't done it to even imagine the amount of work involved. It is so much more than a master's. The master's was NOTHING compared to this. You will give up your life for 5 or more years.
Message edited 3/31/2008 9:15:53 AM.
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| Posted 3/31/08 8:55 AM |
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kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
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Re: A Hypothetical Question
Yes.
I've always wanted a Doctorate- it was my goal to be a psychologist. But when I finished my bachelors, I decided to take some time off (I realize now this was a mistake)
I worked in a dead end job for a few years, then got my current job- great job security, great opportunities for advancements, great benefits and perks.
I STILL want the PhD. maybe not in psych- but in Something.
DH doesn't get my need to do it because I don't need anymore schooling
But I will get there someday!
Message edited 3/31/2008 9:07:17 AM.
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| Posted 3/31/08 9:05 AM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: A Hypothetical Question
yes I would... Because I know myself and I would never feel fulfilled unless I set out to accomplish what I always wanted...
it would always haunt me...
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| Posted 3/31/08 9:09 AM |
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