gentedelquintosol12 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I want to start a DLitt et Phil or PhD programme in 2009. I am doing this not to make money (I sell food) but for personal development. The idea is to be an educated, refined person. If money is a consideration, why not go get a JD, MBA, or MD degree? I think if one really enjoys what they do (whatever it is) the money will come.

Dorfeld12 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Jesus, Socrates, and Kierkegaard probably didnt have a car payment either. I love to teach, but I also have to pay my bills. As an adjunct, I could not.

philosophermarti (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I found this video by accident, but let me tell you that I agree with you. I strongly believe in having that attitude of learning. I am going to a Graduate Program not to have a MA degree, but because I want and desire to learn. I also like to be a teacher because I lke to be a positive role model for my students. I am not a hero, but I would love to help students and to be a positive influence to them. I care less about a degree. As you said, Socrates didnt have a PhD, but we know he was great.

Jitpring (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Notice TOILETLOG'S philistine focus on the purely utilitarian. Such is the Brave New World.

glenzhere2 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

PS, I have empathy, as I live on the brink of financial disaster myself...again, however, possibly leave part-time university teaching/looking for a tenure track position/search behind, and look at grades 5-12...you may be surprised of how you can affect that student's life...and be content doing it...and be treated better by administrators...

glenzhere2 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Ph.D.'s in the humanities should complete their Ph.D.'s with the attitude of learning, and whether one is an elementary teacher, high school, or university, a student is a student...do you want to touch that life? Some famous teachers who did not have classrooms--Jesus, Socrates, and Kierkegaard...Ph.D., University of Wales...and yes, I taught 5/6 grades for 13 years, high school for 1.5 years, and university for 6

piotrman26 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Totally agree with this view of the pyramid system. *But* (and I'm not saying this is how it should be bu how it is) if you haven't gone to a big famous school for your advanced degree you're not "doing all the things right" as she says. In English there are fifteen schools at most in the US that it is at all pragmatic to get your PhD from.

scienterprize (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Poor PhD students... perhaps stay in academia

lguerrrr (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Y2ANJ is right. I am doing a PhD in business. Business administration is the fastest growing major in most universities and usually the only faculty that makes money. Guess what? It is a demand and supply issue. I only know of two grads from my program who are making less than $100,000 (out of about 15 recent grads). They are both employed on tenure-track positions and making over $70K. It's not exploitation is lack of awareness from students and lack of honesty from the department.

StatisticsQuest (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

When I entered my Ph.D. program (mass comm.) at a major research university, I did not know that the job market was so bleak. I found out much later. I ended up teaching in a small college in Georgia in a city with 5000 people, at a ridiculous salary. I see at least 5 rebel flags a day. Although it is a tenure track position, I have had a miserable experience.I have accepted a new tenure track position at a new college, in the same city as my family. I am one of the lucky ones.