<p>to all those who are after a Ph.D, what do you plan to do with your degree once you have achieved it? I here from so many that a Ph.D is useless unless you want to be a professor. I have also heard that you will end up being overqualified if you go back and get a 2nd. I will tell you what. I don't want to be a professor until I get ripe and old, but, i still want that big degree. Not for the name, but, for the happiness learning brings me. anyway...what do you all feel about this?</p>
<p>I wish to earn a PhD in computer science and become a researcher, either in academia or industry. Consulting, as well as starting a company based on my research, are also possibilities for me. I am currently a second-year computer science undergraduate, so I still have a very long way to go. I am very interested in computer science research, especially that of systems.</p>
<p>Basically, the rule of thumb for earning a PhD is that unless you want to become a professor or researcher of your field, I wouldn't bother earning one. Studies show that a PhD does not necessarily help you land non-research positions in industry. If you do not want to go into research or professorship, a master's or professional degree seems to be the best option, depending on your interest. I personally consider the PhD a professional degree for researchers. However, a PhD doesn't open up every opportunity, and in many cases a master's (or even bachelor's in the case of engineering) would do for industry.</p>
<p>thanks for that, and, i must say linguae indeed! :)</p>
<p>because only then can i call myself a psychologist. and be able to practice or be a professor or do meaningful research.</p>
<p>and 6 years is a heckuva long time to do something, without a paycheck, just because you 'like' to.</p>
<p>If you really like the prospect of discovery and research, why not go for a PhD? After all it is fully funded by the university. If it doesn't work, no one's going to force you to stay. </p>
<p>Personally, I somewhat have to do a Ph.D.(ME w/ Nanotech focus) because the industry is just starting up. Hopefully, by the time I graduate I'll be positioned to join a good startup, or start my own. If not, I'll just work for some semiconductor research lab, which will definitely be working at nano-scale fab and heat transfer by then.</p>
<p>Whatever happened to the philosophy of earning a degree for the education rather than doing the minimum possible to make every single dollar possible? That's what I dislike about the current higher education system. There is no such thing as education anymore, just credentialing. I hate that. </p>
<p>I fully intend to earn a PhD in a subject I am intrigued by just for the education. If I make a career in that subject area, great, but if not, I'm no less of a candidate for any other career if I hadn't earned a PhD.</p>
<p>I like your thinking and that is exactly how I feel, it is nice to know there are others out there who agree. but, I am not discounting those who are looking to make a buck, who doesn't with the ease of life it provides and the good it can provide others. anyway as far as Huskem55s post I honestly see what your getting at, but, respectfully disagree. If it is something I enjoy doing, then, why not spend my entire life doing it, you know what I mean?</p>
<p>nobodyknows - your PhD is NOT useless unless you use it as a professor. In fact, most PhD's in business go into consulting or combine teaching and consulting. I am finishing up a Masters in History and applying for PhD programs in History next year and I will not be using it to be a professor. Most likely I will be using it for museum work or writing. I am with you; it is not for the name but the happiness that learning brings me.</p>
<p>I am always skeptical when I hear people say "I am applying to do a Chemistry PhD because I love learning!....which is why I am applying at Harvard, MIT and Berkeley and will REFUSE to go anywhere else!"</p>
<p>However I DO believe that many people do PhD's because they truly love their field of study. My father did a PhD in Theology (NO money in that, believe me) just because he loved to learn and doing a PhD was one of the only ways he could be around people who also loved his particular field of study. Hence, I will never see PhD's as being worthless, but I do think many, many indivuals get PhD's for totally misguided reasons.</p>
<p>In some cases a PhD is a must, i.e. a professor (esp to get tenure) or for research in certain fields; in other cases it is becoming necessary and more and more common when it was not in the past (museum curators, research); and in other situations, it is a love of learning, such as a high school teacher who decides to get a PhD in Ed or his/her field (english, history) with no intention of teaching at the college level and no dramatic salary increase. It is becoming more and more common for teachers at public and private schools to get PhD's. While they don't gain much in terms of salary increases, they gain knowledge and can share it with their students. </p>
<p>In business, an MBA or Masters in some other business area is sufficient. Unless, you want to be a tenured professor at a business school, you don't need a PhD for business. In fact, in the corporate world it could be more of a hindrance and "frowned" upon since business, especially the corporate world, is more about project, people, process, and bottom line mgmt. They don't take too kindly to people who like to think a lot or question the decisions of the powers that be and they need teamplayers who follow the script. And, in today's competitive world, they need results---quickly. </p>
<p>I tend to agree with Brendank's post - why not get it if you have the stamina for it and the time and money (although most PhD get stipends). There is also the sense of accomplishment one feels, and there is nothing wrong with that - at any age. </p>
<p>To pursue a PhD in any field, I would think you do have to like learning or have a thirst for knowledge (even if it is just in your own specific area) since it is a long and arduous process. It may not always go smoothly and you may want to quit at times, esp when you are doing your thesis, but you have to like learning and have a passion for your chosen field. Good luck!</p>
<p>I'm currently working on a master's degree and I'm hoping to be able to go on for the Ph.D. afterwards. I do want to be a professor, but I've thought of doing something else first for a few years or so.</p>
<p>I know someone who's currently doing a Ph.D. who has no interest at all in being a professor. She said she doesn't even like research. The job she wants to get after getting her doctorate requires only a bachelor's degree, or at most, a master's degree. I think she's doing the Ph.D. for personal satisfaction; a few people do.</p>
<p>can anyone explain what is a terminal masters? when does one qualify for one?</p>
<p>do ALL students who start in a PhD program, and pass their qualifiers, who quit PhD, GET a masters?</p>
<p>14 of spades,</p>
<p>A terminal masters is a masters that is not supposed to lead to a PhD, which is why it is "terminal."</p>
<p>That's my understanding at least.</p>
<p>i know another definition of "terminal masters" as one that is given to PhD candidates who perform at a less than desired quality during the first 2 years, so rather than let them go on to finish their PhD, they give them a "terminal masters" and essentially fire them as a graduate student.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The ominous-sounding label "terminal" means that this degree is considered an end in itself. In some fields, a master's degree is considered the "terminal professional degree" - that is, it provides the knowledge and training you need to join a profession.
[/quote]
<p>THIS: A terminal masters is a masters that is not supposed to lead to a PhD, which is why it is "terminal."</p>
<p>AND THIS: Do ALL students who start in a PhD program, and pass their qualifiers, who quit PhD, GET a masters? </p>
<p>ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.</p>
<p>what i describe is a PhD student who is deemed unsatisfactory after 2 years, who is essentially fired as a graduate student. they are given a "terminal" masters because they have done enough work to qualify for a masters, but that masters will not lead to a PhD. in general, no other school will accept that student for further graduate studies. as such, that degree, too, is terminal.</p>
<p>a quick google search, the Univ Toledo "PhD Guidelines" page here:</p>
<p>says, "Students who fail the general examinations and are dismissed from the program can petition the history department for the awarding of a terminal Master of Arts degree in history."</p>
<p>Duke University's page </p>
<p>"The terminal degree of Master of Arts, for those who do not intend to continue with doctoral studies, is awarded to students who meet the Graduate School’s residence requirements who successfully complete... etc etc"</p>
<p>as u can see, a terminal master's degree is not only a degree that has no PhD in its field, it is also a degree given to those who fail or quit their PhD studies.</p>
<p>So is a terminal masters (at least in the context you dexcribed) actually a bad thing because it means you failed your PhD work?</p>
<p>basically, yes. it is essentially a sign of failure.</p>
<p>u'll see in program descriptions, a phrase similar to the following:</p>
<p>"Terminal master's given upon partial completion of PhD studies."</p>
<p>this means, the department will evaluate u after u begin studies, and has the right to fire u after if they deem u unsatisfactory.</p>
<p>But I guess that if you get a terminal masters, you don't have to tell future employers "Yes, this is terminal masters that I was awarded because I sucked at my PhD program." You could probbaly just market it as a normal masters degree.</p>
<p>yes that's true.</p>
<p>although employers who actively employ graduate students, know of the distinction. so if u present a master's in a field where people typically get PhDs, u may have to answer some questions.</p>
<p>but the point is, i think getting a terminal master's IS better than getting nothing at all. so i was wondering how common is this degree? do all institutions award it?</p>