On the wider theme of science and education, people sometimes ask me why I want to do a PhD (particularly in view of my recent rejections). The short answer is that I want to use it as a prelude to a career in research. And the reason I want to do research is partly that I want to keep studying, and actually cover new ground. In most companies, training is regarded as a necessary evil - you give up a few days for your staff to learn new skills, then you want them to use those skills repeatedly for the next couple of years, until the next upgrade comes along. The other motivation for research is that I want to do something worthwhile with my life - something that matters. The other reason for a PhD is a bit more shallow - I want the respect and recognition that comes with it. More specifically, I'm looking to get that from my peers. I already have vocational qualifications, and my former employers clearly valued my skills (based on my salary), but it's a bit like the Groucho Marx problem ("I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member") - I want to impress the people who aren't impressed by me.
On the wider theme of science and education, people sometimes ask me why I want to do a PhD (particularly in view of my recent rejections). The short answer is that I want to use it as a prelude to a career in research. And the reason I want to do research is partly that I want to keep studying, and actually cover new ground. In most companies, training is regarded as a necessary evil - you give up a few days for your staff to learn new skills, then you want them to use those skills repeatedly for the next couple of years, until the next upgrade comes along. The other motivation for research is that I want to do something worthwhile with my life - something that matters. The other reason for a PhD is a bit more shallow - I want the respect and recognition that comes with it. More specifically, I'm looking to get that from my peers. I already have vocational qualifications, and my former employers clearly valued my skills (based on my salary), but it's a bit like the Groucho Marx problem ("I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member") - I want to impress the people who aren't impressed by me.
-
John's new coat
This is a (true) story that I wrote/illustrated for my nephew, and hopefully other people will like it too. When I was 7 years old, I had a blue…
-
An important safety tip
Yesterday I needed to use someone else's credit card to make an internet payment, so I was given the details on a Post-It note and I needed to…
-
It's all about guts
While I'm reminiscing (and procrastinating about housework), here's another story from my schooldays. This event takes place when I was about 14: I…
- Post a new comment
- 1 comment
- Post a new comment
- 1 comment
