Ah the Irony in Academia
It's funny to think at how hard we work sometimes to get to reach a certain goal and then realize once we get to that goal, that it was less or completely different from what we expected. In my case, I kind of already know what to expect. Life in graduate school is certainly not glamorous, it is not easy, and it doesn't pay well either. Once you get out and get your advanced degree, you're still paying off debt from your tuition and the jobs you want are harder to get than getting into graduate school in the first place. So why in hell do people still go for it anyway?
If I just wanted money, then I would just stay at my job right now. I'd be earning a lot more money working at my current job than working as a school psychologist. The on thing, however, that money can't really buy for me is the academic experience. We learn new things every day and one of my main motivations to venture into gradschool in school psychology is to stay sharp and keep up with the changing times. Working constantly with a changing population of students will keep you on your toes and I would prefer that than working in a mundane environment where you want to gauge your eyes from the stressors and stupidity you have to deal with day in and day out.
Having worked in a research lab around doctoral students and post docs, I've seen their daily grind and I don't mind it really. It may not be the most prestigious looking position, but the mini perks are enough for me. Even if I don't make much more money than I am now, at least I have something to show for it.
As I was searching for graduate school information, I came across this post. The article itself brings up a few points that most of us already know. I know I am well aware of it as well, so it kind of scares me to think of that future. But he proposes reasons as to why there are so few women in Ph.D programs esp in the sciences. The answer in large part is children. Be it wanting to have kids or kids being in the way of their career. Advanced degrees can ruin a marriage and suck your life dry. There's such a high divorce rate among doctors, lawyers and Ph.Ds and I'm not surprised why. It's a lot of work, a lot of stress, and little time for yourself or your family. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't venture into cognitive science as I originally intended to do for grad school. I'll actually have significantly more contact with people as my work will largely involve helping students improve their educational experience, emotional and mental health.
While I was an undergrad, I always thought about who I would want as an advisor. It actually came up on that article I mentioned. Someone replied to the post and put two choices for the type of advisor to choose from: A, the cool, hip young assistant prof with fresh ideas and a hand full of gradstudents or B. the old boring prof with a ton of rotating gradstudents on his belt. I already had the epitome of the first choice. We had exactly that type of guy at UCLA. Everyone loved his classes and he was young, cool and good looking. Oh and he also married one of his TAs...We also have the boring prof with cycling gradstudents. Luckily the profs we have of that nature are actually very well known and big kahunas at their craft, so either choice, you'd be okay. That isn't always the case for everyone though. I did, however get lucky. Check out David and SteveSC's comments. I'd just paste them here, but I'd rather you read it from the source. Funny as always and yet so true.
If I just wanted money, then I would just stay at my job right now. I'd be earning a lot more money working at my current job than working as a school psychologist. The on thing, however, that money can't really buy for me is the academic experience. We learn new things every day and one of my main motivations to venture into gradschool in school psychology is to stay sharp and keep up with the changing times. Working constantly with a changing population of students will keep you on your toes and I would prefer that than working in a mundane environment where you want to gauge your eyes from the stressors and stupidity you have to deal with day in and day out.
Having worked in a research lab around doctoral students and post docs, I've seen their daily grind and I don't mind it really. It may not be the most prestigious looking position, but the mini perks are enough for me. Even if I don't make much more money than I am now, at least I have something to show for it.
As I was searching for graduate school information, I came across this post. The article itself brings up a few points that most of us already know. I know I am well aware of it as well, so it kind of scares me to think of that future. But he proposes reasons as to why there are so few women in Ph.D programs esp in the sciences. The answer in large part is children. Be it wanting to have kids or kids being in the way of their career. Advanced degrees can ruin a marriage and suck your life dry. There's such a high divorce rate among doctors, lawyers and Ph.Ds and I'm not surprised why. It's a lot of work, a lot of stress, and little time for yourself or your family. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't venture into cognitive science as I originally intended to do for grad school. I'll actually have significantly more contact with people as my work will largely involve helping students improve their educational experience, emotional and mental health.
While I was an undergrad, I always thought about who I would want as an advisor. It actually came up on that article I mentioned. Someone replied to the post and put two choices for the type of advisor to choose from: A, the cool, hip young assistant prof with fresh ideas and a hand full of gradstudents or B. the old boring prof with a ton of rotating gradstudents on his belt. I already had the epitome of the first choice. We had exactly that type of guy at UCLA. Everyone loved his classes and he was young, cool and good looking. Oh and he also married one of his TAs...We also have the boring prof with cycling gradstudents. Luckily the profs we have of that nature are actually very well known and big kahunas at their craft, so either choice, you'd be okay. That isn't always the case for everyone though. I did, however get lucky. Check out David and SteveSC's comments. I'd just paste them here, but I'd rather you read it from the source. Funny as always and yet so true.
posted by shine
at
Monday, March 26, 2007
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