PhDs and such

Its no surprise I've been thinking a lot about academia. I'm not unhappy in my current job, I just think that teaching is what I really want to do. Then I struggle with the PhD part of it, I'm not about to drop out of life for 4-7 years to get a PhD. I just can't. I've heard all the reasons:

1. Once you get out, you'll more than make it up.
2. Its not really that bad.
3. Its better in the long run.

Rob's take on the reasons:

1. Yeah right. Let's just say that with my current salary, taking a 70% paycut (which is what I would get) for 4-6 years and then teaching at roughly 25% higher than I make now, not counting the increases I would get in the 4-6 years, just doesn't equal up.

2. HA!! I saw firsthand the hours and hours and hours put in by PhD students. Acting as slaves for their professors, expected to be there at their beck and call. Covering classes for them. And then to see the PhDs who didn't make tenure track slaving away at the bottom of the totem pole.

3. Ok, so there is some long run opportunities that having that PhD do get you. The starting salaries at the colleges are higher and you do have a better chance getting in as a Doc than not.

There's just been a lot of feasibility issues for me.
1. I'm 31, almost 32. 4-6 Years of my life is quite a large chunk of a very productive part of my life. Now I fully realize there are plenty of older students that go back, but I'm not sure that its for me.

2. I am about to convert my girlfriend into my wife. This of course implies certain new responsibilities. Also, my girlfriend would like to get a Masters.

3. The more I read articles like this:
http://www.historians.org/perspectives/issues/2005/0511/0511pro2.cfm

The more that I would rather teach at a private college or even a community college. I continue to think about online teaching or somehow converting my existing skills and reputation into a teaching job. Then, if need be, go for the PhD.

Basically, I've been looking back and have allowed myself to be too strongly influenced by my previous graduate experience. That school was trying to sell me a PhD, its what they sell. In many ways I guess I can't blame them. Its like my own business, Frost & Sullivan isn't for everyone. However, I can't keep going around feeling bad for not choosing to get a PhD and I can't feel bad because I don't want to pay the price required by many institutions for a PhD. I don't see the need right now.


I may eventually go back for a PhD, but where and what medium (online possibly) has yet to be seen.