Continue on or get out? - Page 3 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

ArmyGuy45 · 10-09-2007, 10:44 PM

my bro has a masters in that nuke stuff... and hes doing VERY well...

SMMAssociates · 10-09-2007, 11:17 PM

William:

I never got past a Bachelor's.... I had a good job in the Plastics industry (when the place tanked some 20 years later I was the Data Processing Manager) and worked as a rent-a-cop on the side. It was time to get out of school....

But it's very individual. My degree is in Philosophy and the Psychology of Religion. I would have had limited opportunities. I did a lot of other stuff in school, including minors in History and Law Enforcement, as well as a lot of OJT "Mechanical Engineering" reinforced by the occasional "not a bad idea" course. Seriously eclectic.... No family then, so the money wasn't an issue. When I finally did get married (at 29) I got a nice raise.... (Another 10 years until Becka came along....)

My youngest nephew got himself a Masters in Linguistics and then decided that his Radiologist brother would be making way too much money. He's in med school now.... (His older sister is waiting for the results of her Bar Exam. His little sister works in an office someplace - looks like she's going to get her "MRS" soon....)

Again, whatever works....

IMHO, this specialty will put you in a good position for about any high-end engineering environment with little re-education. I think I'd go for it.... I should have gone to law school, but don't have any regrets. I'm too old now, and was very comfortable until the former day job poofed and I got sick too. (If I could get the Social Security folks to get their act together and re-start my benefits - they lost the file! - I'd be fine.)

Regards,

cucamelsmd15 · 10-10-2007, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamWallace

\

Seems to me that the PhDs can teach, do research, or run the show at any of the labs or utilities they might end up at. From what I have seen, the Master's guys aren't running the show. Of course, my experience is somewhat limited in the field as I've been in school the whole time, but even the guys at school running nuclear research programs (non-professors) are PhDs. There are no Master's doing that.

I think this is reason enough to get the PhD. Youre going to hit a "glass ceiling" otherwise, both in pay and rank. I work in the scientific field, and see it happen all the time. People get passed over for promotions and certain positions because they dont have Dr. attached to their name.

**AZXD** · 10-10-2007, 07:53 AM

Master's limits versus Doctorate limits.

Opportunities versus expanded opportunities.

Getting paid to go to school w/stipend.

Stipend doesn't cover all the bills.

Doctorate is paid for.

IMO,
GO TO SCHOOL!!!!!

The expanded opportunities and the fact it is being paid for sound's like a great ROI. Your Thesis might even become a book and offset the three years. Heck they're are so many ways to look at this, it's hard to predict what tomorrow will bring, but if someone was paying for school, stipend or not, I'd figure out a way to do it.
But that is me!
This is about you.
So, I'll ask this question.
Do you want to be convinced to do it, or convinced to run away from it?

mullanman · 10-10-2007, 10:06 AM

If in your field you can command the same type of income with a masters as with a PhD, Just get the masters.

If you are looking into academia, research, get the PhD.

In my case i got a BS, + additional graduate courses, spent another 4 years in medical school. then another 2 years of post grad training. So 11 years total, before i got out into the world and made a buck.

Looking back, i would've been better off, getting an engineering degree, and making money after the bachelors degree. But I like and enjoy what i do, and run my own practice, and work my own hours.

WilliamWallace · 10-10-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZXD

Do you want to be convinced to do it, or convinced to run away from it?

Neither, really.

The kind of stuff you guys have been saying is really what I was looking for. I guess the poll was pointless because what I was really looking for was some different points of view... kind of like a sounding board for my own thoughts on the subject plus some personal experiences from people who have been there. The things you guys have written have been very helpful.

vafish · 10-11-2007, 12:12 PM

I say get the PHD.

I didn't go into college right out of high school, I went into the Army. It took me 11 years to get my bachelors.

Get the education while you can.

Tard · 10-11-2007, 02:03 PM

The only negative to a PhD is your employment choices are limited by the minimum pay structure most companies have for those with a doctorate.

Unless, of course, in your field you really must have a PhD to get serious employment (ie archeology, maybe nuke eng?).

If it's being paid for and you can afford the extra debt, you should do it, but it probably won't pay off financially for a long time unless you need a PhD to get the work you really want.

View Poll Results: Which would you do?
Get the PhD.	17	42.50%
Take the Master's and run!	21	52.50%
Other-description kindly provided below	2	5.00%
Voters: 40. You may not vote on this poll

10-09-2007, 10:44 PM	#21
ArmyGuy45 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mesa,AZ / Ft Carson, CO Posts: 3,507	my bro has a masters in that nuke stuff... and hes doing VERY well... __________________ US Army 2005 - Present XD45 Compact - My Carry Suresights Springer Precision Trigger Kit/Bar ( needs install ) NRA Life Member Myspace "One Country, One Culture, One Language!" - Thomas Paine

10-09-2007, 11:17 PM	#22
SMMAssociates XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Youngstown OH Posts: 259	William: I never got past a Bachelor's.... I had a good job in the Plastics industry (when the place tanked some 20 years later I was the Data Processing Manager) and worked as a rent-a-cop on the side. It was time to get out of school.... But it's very individual. My degree is in Philosophy and the Psychology of Religion. I would have had limited opportunities. I did a lot of other stuff in school, including minors in History and Law Enforcement, as well as a lot of OJT "Mechanical Engineering" reinforced by the occasional "not a bad idea" course. Seriously eclectic.... No family then, so the money wasn't an issue. When I finally did get married (at 29) I got a nice raise.... (Another 10 years until Becka came along....) My youngest nephew got himself a Masters in Linguistics and then decided that his Radiologist brother would be making way too much money. He's in med school now.... (His older sister is waiting for the results of her Bar Exam. His little sister works in an office someplace - looks like she's going to get her "MRS" soon....) Again, whatever works.... IMHO, this specialty will put you in a good position for about any high-end engineering environment with little re-education. I think I'd go for it.... I should have gone to law school, but don't have any regrets. I'm too old now, and was very comfortable until the former day job poofed and I got sick too. (If I could get the Social Security folks to get their act together and re-start my benefits - they lost the file! - I'd be fine.) Regards, __________________ Stu. Why write a quick note when you can write a novel? Why do those who claim to want to protect me feel that to do it they need to disarm me? יזכר לא עד פעם

10-10-2007, 07:53 AM	#24
AZXD XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Valley of the GUN Posts: 17,208	Master's limits versus Doctorate limits. Opportunities versus expanded opportunities. Getting paid to go to school w/stipend. Stipend doesn't cover all the bills. Doctorate is paid for. IMO, GO TO SCHOOL!!!!! The expanded opportunities and the fact it is being paid for sound's like a great ROI. Your Thesis might even become a book and offset the three years. Heck they're are so many ways to look at this, it's hard to predict what tomorrow will bring, but if someone was paying for school, stipend or not, I'd figure out a way to do it. But that is me! This is about you. So, I'll ask this question. Do you want to be convinced to do it, or convinced to run away from it? __________________ . . The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. John F. Kennedy The very word 'secrecy' is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths, and to secret proceedings. John F. Kennedy *Birth Certificates are a "Reasonable"* Secret** So-called "reasonable gun control" measures will take us all to the day when the last single-shot shotgun that grandpa owned is cut into pieces.

10-10-2007, 10:06 AM	#25
mullanman XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,911	If in your field you can command the same type of income with a masters as with a PhD, Just get the masters. If you are looking into academia, research, get the PhD. In my case i got a BS, + additional graduate courses, spent another 4 years in medical school. then another 2 years of post grad training. So 11 years total, before i got out into the world and made a buck. Looking back, i would've been better off, getting an engineering degree, and making money after the bachelors degree. But I like and enjoy what i do, and run my own practice, and work my own hours. __________________ USPSA L2683

10-11-2007, 12:12 PM	#27
vafish XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,362	I say get the PHD. I didn't go into college right out of high school, I went into the Army. It took me 11 years to get my bachelors. Get the education while you can. __________________ \"If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children.\" -- Confucius

10-11-2007, 02:03 PM	#28
Tard XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Machias, WA Posts: 3,958	The only negative to a PhD is your employment choices are limited by the minimum pay structure most companies have for those with a doctorate. Unless, of course, in your field you really must have a PhD to get serious employment (ie archeology, maybe nuke eng?). If it's being paid for and you can afford the extra debt, you should do it, but it probably won't pay off financially for a long time unless you need a PhD to get the work you really want. __________________ If you aren't part of the solution you are part of the precipitate.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode