2007-01-21 15:22:32 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
I have a PhD myself, as it happens. Of the other people I know who have a PhD, nearly all are either people I know from university, or people I worked with at a previous job (where a PhD was required for all employees above a certain level).
I believe education itself is very important, and growing more so in today's world. However, an advanced level of education is not for everyone - nor is it necessary for everyone. If fixing cars or plumbing or building houses is your thing, by all means go and do it. But if you want to get into the more technical professions, you're likely to need a degree of some sort, or at the very least some sort of post-high school training.
Does having an advanced degree make you more employable? Obviously it depends on the job. If it's in a related field, it probably does. If not, it does at least demonstrate that you have the ability to commit to a long-term project and see it through. On the other hand, if you seem too over-qualified for the job, employers are likely to conclude that you don't intend to stay there and pass you over.
But to my mind it really comes down to temperament. There's little point in going for an advanced degree if you don't have the temperament for research: for plugging away at a problem month after month, working away until you can find some sort of resolution. You also need to look into the kinds of degree courses available. When I was looking at Masters' courses I had three different options, with different mixes between coursework and research.
Make no mistake, research can be very difficult and at times hopeless and depressing. But if you persevere there are rewards in it too. Seeing your work immortalised in the university library is a pretty nice feeling, even if nobody ever looks at it again. ;-)
2007-01-21 15:43:24 · answer #1 · answered by Scarlet Manuka 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Education means alot to me and I have a MA in History. In my family my father has a Ph.D, my Grandfather (maternal) has a Ph. D, I have an uncle who has a Ph. D and another with an M.D, and two of my cousins that have Ph. Ds. Most of my family members have at least a Master's and the girl I am seeing now has a Master's as well.
Good Luck!!!
2007-01-21 23:28:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know many people with PhD's.
Education is invaluable, but degrees (not necessarily the same thing as education) can be useless if you are not working toward a specific goal. Too many people go to college just because "it's what you do," and too many people look down on tradesmen who are highly skilled in their fields but do not hold degrees.
I think the smartest and most fortunate people are those who identify what they love to do, and then follow whatever path (college, trade school, etc) takes them there. That's just about job qualifications, though. Your real "education" should never stop.
2007-01-21 23:49:33 · answer #3 · answered by EQ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Education opens up more opportunities to better yourself, and I know lots of people with Ph.D's.
2007-01-21 23:31:01 · answer #4 · answered by sassiest_princess 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My ENT (ear, nose and throat doctor) has a PhD in medicine.
I have a neighbor who has his PhD in child psychology
And my sister is on the verge of earning hers in jurisprudence.
That's just off the top of my head.
I believe in education and I believe that education doesn't end until you do.
2007-01-21 23:49:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋