I am just finishing up my course of study for a Master of Science degree. One of my dreams since I was very young (early teens) has been to get a Ph.D. My educational career has been anything but “normal” in the usual sense of the word. I have an excellent job as Assistant Dean for Information Technology at a major law school. Although I have had a very successful career, I started my formal education very late in life. When I came into my present job I had an Associate’s degree which I earned in the early 70s. Since I came here in 1997 I have taken courses every semester except one earning a Bachelor of Science degree and a Certificate of Advanced Study. Now have one course left to earn an Master of Science degree.
I am at a crossroad. I have been trying to decide if I want to put in the effort and time needed to get a Ph.D. or if I should just let go of the dream. I am not one to give up easily. However, most people I have talked to are not very encouraging. I have reached out to a couple of people here at the university just asking for some time to discuss what I want to do but haven’t received a response from them. These are individuals that I consider friends but when I asked specifically to meet to discuss my thought about pursuing a Ph.D. I did not receive the courtesy of a response. Very wierd I thought… I have talked to a couple of people who have suggested that I am too old; others have suggested that there is no point in getting a degree centered around research. I disagree – it may be true for them… but it is not true for me! Throughout my life, in the face of doubt I have always been able to accomplish any goal I have set my mind to. This is one dream that is hard for me to put aside. My wife is very supportive of everything I do but she believes I deserve a break at this point in my life and should stop after the M.S. degree.
Thoughts? Comments (please!)?
decisions… decisions…
