<p>Just asking, have been considering dropping the whole phd thing... and stopping at masters level, as I just don't think the market for full time professors in cities I would want to live is that great... I will probably end up in some podunk town...
I would generally like to just work, and possibly have some lecture status at a university in said town... but wondering if even <em>that</em> would be possible with just an M.A. </p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>A lot of people with PhDs do industry work that's not affiliated with a university, so there's no lecturing component. Of course, it very much depends on the field, and it would help if you stated what that is.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure its possible to teach at a university with a Master's, and you can definitely teach at a community college with a Master's. Sounds like you've lost your passion for it?</p>
<p>btw, "podunk" is such an underused word. made me lol</p>
<p>Simple. If you don't want to teach or engage in original research, don't do the PhD.</p>
<p>grapico - </p>
<p>Every year there are lots of people who decide to stop at a master's instead of continuing on for a Ph.D. This is a good thing. If it didn't happen, we'd be up to our eyeballs in cranky under-employed and unemployed Ph.D.s! If you are ready to stop, don't be afraid to choose to do so. Get a job you like, and get on with your life. Be happy.</p>
<p>Same as Tenisghs; The internships that DS has, were with professors who had strong relationships with business and university. His last internship was with microsoft research with a guy who also taught at university but did mostly research. DS is still with this guy who is now mostly teaching and doing less research, in his home country of Germany. </p>
<p>DS is also at this stage. He would rather find a job rather than pursue a phD. He has until Jan 20 to make that decision. He does not especially like teaching, The job market stinks.</p>
<p>The key issue about a PhD is pursuing research NOT teaching. Many of us have run labs at research institutes without ever seeing students for decades! However, pursuing research is a 24/7 career at the doctorate and above level. If you wish to have a more modest involvement in research (being part of a team rather than leading a team), then stopping at a masters is much more appropriate.</p>
<p>I have to agree with ParAlum and tenisghs, a PhD is mostly about the desire to pursue research. </p>
<p>You can obtain an adjunct faculty position with your MA. I have professors in my graduate program and they are adjunct faculty and only have their Master's degree. And I attend a top tier school. Of course you will be teaching introductory courses, more than likely.</p>