Ph.D.'s

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Replies

  • Lolli1986
    Lolli1986 Posts: 500 Member
    I wish I didn't have to get one... it's starting to count for less and less in my field, yet still counts enough that I need it.

    Presently, I am doing all right, though - working as a 'research assistant' but I am doing actual research and publishing it with only a 3 year BSc. For now, this is great. I've basically been apprenticed to one of the researchers, and I am learning a heck of a lot more than I did while attempting honours.

    This situation was hard-bought though - had to quit honours twice and have spent 2+ years injured. to add insult to injury, during my first RA job the honours student dropped out and I had to complete it in her place, analysis and all.

    Thankfully there is some level of credit given for publishing, so I will be able to do a Masters by research, which I will start when this job is over.
  • EpiGaiaRepens
    EpiGaiaRepens Posts: 824 Member
    an LLB is just a bachelors' degree.

    Whew! That explains a lot! My undergrad degrees are all science! I had no plans on becoming a lawyer back then ;)
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I wish I didn't have to get one... it's starting to count for less and less in my field, yet still counts enough that I need it.

    Presently, I am doing all right, though - working as a 'research assistant' but I am doing actual research and publishing it with only a 3 year BSc. For now, this is great. I've basically been apprenticed to one of the researchers, and I am learning a heck of a lot more than I did while attempting honours.

    This situation was hard-bought though - had to quit honours twice and have spent 2+ years injured. to add insult to injury, during my first RA job the honours student dropped out and I had to complete it in her place, analysis and all.

    Thankfully there is some level of credit given for publishing, so I will be able to do a Masters by research, which I will start when this job is over.

    Sounds like a rough program, but it's worth it to push through. They try to make you quit in grad school. It's a weed out process. Don't give up!
  • DietingMommy08
    DietingMommy08 Posts: 1,345 Member
    You are all such inspirations!!

    I started college after high school but decided it wasnt for me.

    After I had my son I started back up again! I just now started working on my bachelors in Sociology with a major in Psychology. I wont receive my degree until january of 2016!! I will be 30 years old! I also plan on stayin in school and pursuing my Masters. I toy with the idea of getting my PH.D but only time will tell. :o)

    I can tell you from a teacher's perspective that returning students are great. It takes a lot of guts to go back to college when you've got a family or are over 25 when you start. Good for you! Stick with it!

    Thank you.

    I am a single parent and want my son to have something to look up to.

    I feel as though I cant push him to do something if I cant give him an example to follow.
  • ccmccoy09
    ccmccoy09 Posts: 284 Member
    JD here (Juris Doctorate). I'm considering going back for a Masters in Accounting, which would put me at 9 years of college.

    Someone earlier said JD is the equivalent of a PhD in law, but that's not quite right; it is a doctoral degree, but it isn't the advanced degree for law. The advanced degree, after a J.D., is LLM or "Master of Laws," and requires a specialization. E.g. LLM Tax, LLM Litigation, LLM Intellectual Property, etc.

    Clearly, I also hold a Masters in unsolicited assvice. :bigsmile:
  • mightyminerva
    mightyminerva Posts: 145 Member
    I'm currently in my first year of working on my Ph.D. in English and Related Literature with a focus on ancient and medieval texts (3-4 year programme). Last year I did my M.A. in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and before that I got my B.A. in Classics. Humanities, represent!

    I've made the leap from an American B.A. to English postgraduate degree programmes, and it's nice to see that there's a mix of people here from both systems!

    Oh, and no worries about being in your mid-twenties. I began my M.A. when I was 25 and am now 27. If I'm extraordinarily dedicated, I can get my Ph.D. when/before I'm 30. ;)

    Also, congratulations to all the people who are working on or have finished their degrees! It's a long and stressful process, so I have lots of respect for you all who have made it through.
  • starcatcher1975
    starcatcher1975 Posts: 292 Member
    I'll be finished with my MAcc May 2013 and I'm actually thinking of going on for my PhD...But at the same time I'm so ready for a real job with some real money...instead of the mountain of student loan debt I'm already under. I'll have to see how I'm feeling after this year. And I just might wait until both my kids are in college to go back for my PhD :laugh:
  • KeshiaV
    KeshiaV Posts: 187 Member
    I'm working on my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology!

    1 year down.... (seemingly) a million more to go :)
  • zenJes
    zenJes Posts: 198 Member
    Im in my third year of my PhD, one more year to go but at that annoying stage where science is working and I need to start writing journal articles lol!! Took me 3 weeks just to sit down and write my first paragraph :D
    I did a 4 years honours degree in biochemistry and then went straight to PhD and loving it.. Of course I did have that obligatory 6 months where easy experiments refused to work but I hung in there and got through it! Good luck to all that are studying!!
  • ccmccoy09
    ccmccoy09 Posts: 284 Member
    You are all such inspirations!!

    I started college after high school but decided it wasnt for me.

    After I had my son I started back up again! I just now started working on my bachelors in Sociology with a major in Psychology. I wont receive my degree until january of 2016!! I will be 30 years old! I also plan on stayin in school and pursuing my Masters. I toy with the idea of getting my PH.D but only time will tell. :o)

    I can tell you from a teacher's perspective that returning students are great. It takes a lot of guts to go back to college when you've got a family or are over 25 when you start. Good for you! Stick with it!

    Thank you.

    I am a single parent and want my son to have something to look up to.

    I feel as though I cant push him to do something if I cant give him an example to follow.

    YOU are awesome! I'm sure he's proud of you for chasing your educational and fitness goals.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    JD here (Juris Doctorate). I'm considering going back for a Masters in Accounting, which would put me at 9 years of college.

    Someone earlier said JD is the equivalent of a PhD in law, but that's not quite right; it is a doctoral degree, but it isn't the advanced degree for law. The advanced degree is LLM or "Master of Laws," and requires a specialization. E.g. LLM Tax, LLM Litigation, LLM Intellectual Property, etc.

    Clearly, I also mastered in unsolicited assvice. :bigsmile:

    Thanks for the clarification! I just assumed that the J.D. students at Starbucks at 3am at the table next to us were in it for the same long haul. LOL
  • hanahlai
    hanahlai Posts: 281 Member
    I drool over the idea of it.......lol I do have my masters. Maybe in a few years I will start...
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    You are all such inspirations!!

    I started college after high school but decided it wasnt for me.

    After I had my son I started back up again! I just now started working on my bachelors in Sociology with a major in Psychology. I wont receive my degree until january of 2016!! I will be 30 years old! I also plan on stayin in school and pursuing my Masters. I toy with the idea of getting my PH.D but only time will tell. :o)

    I can tell you from a teacher's perspective that returning students are great. It takes a lot of guts to go back to college when you've got a family or are over 25 when you start. Good for you! Stick with it!

    Thank you.

    I am a single parent and want my son to have something to look up to.

    I feel as though I cant push him to do something if I cant give him an example to follow.

    You are awesome! :smile: I wish you nothing but success!
  • wild_wild_life
    wild_wild_life Posts: 1,334 Member
    DVM. Will probably get a PhD if/when I can't find another job . . .
  • dr_tina
    dr_tina Posts: 225 Member
    I have my doctorate in clinical psychology...actually have 2 masters in psychology as well, one in adult and one in child/family. Long road, but have my own private practice and my license for about 7 years now. THIS is how I got fat!!! LOL :-)
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    Im in my third year of my PhD, one more year to go but at that annoying stage where science is working and I need to start writing journal articles lol!! Took me 3 weeks just to sit down and write my first paragraph :D
    I did a 4 years honours degree in biochemistry and then went straight to PhD and loving it.. Of course I did have that obligatory 6 months where easy experiments refused to work but I hung in there and got through it! Good luck to all that are studying!!

    Publishing gets much easier as you move forward. First publication is the hardest.
  • MizzDoc
    MizzDoc Posts: 493 Member
    Doctorate in Communications :)
  • bunny1006
    bunny1006 Posts: 325 Member
    I have Ph.D. in psychology.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I have my doctorate in clinical psychology...actually have 2 masters in psychology as well, one in adult and one in child/family. Long road, but have my own private practice and my license for about 7 years now. THIS is how I got fat!!! LOL :-)

    LOL Well, sounds like you've been very successful though, which is great!
  • sophie_wr
    sophie_wr Posts: 194 Member
    PhD in Molecular genetics (done in my homeland, France) and postdoc for 3 years in the best city (San diego CA).
    Actually looking for a new one because my lab is running soon of monney :((((

    PhD in biology is not the best idea for getting a nice stable job (I'm even not talking about salaries !)

    ans always looking for MFP friends !
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    PhD in Molecular genetics (done in my homeland, France) and postdoc for 3 years in the best city (San diego CA).
    Actually looking for a new one because my lab is running soon of monney :((((

    PhD in biology is not the best idea for getting a nice stable job (I'm even not talking about salaries !)

    ans always looking for MFP friends !

    Good luck to you hon! Biology is a tight field now. NSF budget cuts have eliminated a lot of jobs in biology and science in the last 4 years. Keep looking for positions. :smile: Have you looked internationally (Europe, Canada, Asia?
  • Bloomsday
    Bloomsday Posts: 66 Member
    Mine is in English literature, specialization in 20th-century British literature ... A Joyce scholar, as if you couldn't tell by my username ... :)
  • Oh its good to hear this!!

    I'm working on my PhD (urban development) at the minute whilst working full time - should hopefully *fingers crossed* be done in about 12 years but at the minute it feels like it will be the death of me!!!!!!
  • EpiGaiaRepens
    EpiGaiaRepens Posts: 824 Member
    JD here (Juris Doctorate). I'm considering going back for a Masters in Accounting, which would put me at 9 years of college.

    Someone earlier said JD is the equivalent of a PhD in law, but that's not quite right; it is a doctoral degree, but it isn't the advanced degree for law. The advanced degree is LLM or "Master of Laws," and requires a specialization. E.g. LLM Tax, LLM Litigation, LLM Intellectual Property, etc.

    Clearly, I also mastered in unsolicited assvice. :bigsmile:

    Thanks for the clarification! I just assumed that the J.D. students at Starbucks at 3am at the table next to us were in it for the same long haul. LOL

    a JD is a pretty long haul! An LLM is just one extra year. I have a friend who is going for his PHD and it seems endless. I dont' get why it takes so long. He's not even in class anymore. He teaches and he is sort of endlessly working on his dissertation. I don't think an LLM would drag on like that either. But a JD can do an independent study (I did) which I think is probably somewhat like a dissertation (You come up with your own class, teach yourself, write a paper, and defend it if the prof gives you a bad grade ;)
  • ccmccoy09
    ccmccoy09 Posts: 284 Member
    Starting my first year for J.D. in two months!!

    Best advice I ever heard regarding law school:

    Be very careful about which classmates you choose to sleep with or puke in front of.
  • EpiGaiaRepens
    EpiGaiaRepens Posts: 824 Member
    I have Ph.D. in psychology.

    That makes me drool. Psychology is one of my favorite subjects that I never officially studied. I read it for fun!
  • starcatcher1975
    starcatcher1975 Posts: 292 Member
    You are all such inspirations!!

    I started college after high school but decided it wasnt for me.

    After I had my son I started back up again! I just now started working on my bachelors in Sociology with a major in Psychology. I wont receive my degree until january of 2016!! I will be 30 years old! I also plan on stayin in school and pursuing my Masters. I toy with the idea of getting my PH.D but only time will tell. :o)

    I can tell you from a teacher's perspective that returning students are great. It takes a lot of guts to go back to college when you've got a family or are over 25 when you start. Good for you! Stick with it!

    Thank you.

    I am a single parent and want my son to have something to look up to.

    I feel as though I cant push him to do something if I cant give him an example to follow.

    I'm 36 and still have a year left on my Masters program. I am also a single parent, I have 2 kids, both boys 12 and 14. I went to school right after high school, stopped, and finally went back 6 years ago (changed majors so that's why it's taken me a while, lol) I have to say that *I* think I have a greater appreciation for it then a lot of the people I had classes with. Then again it could have been the fact that I was paying for it myself, didn't get scholarships, and I know my kids are looking at me and what I'm doing. Most the people I'm in class with now seem to be in the masters program because they really want to further their education.

    A few of my professors (all have their PhD) went back for their PhD late 30s/early 40s after having kids like us :smile:
  • happyfrogg
    happyfrogg Posts: 86 Member
    You are all such inspirations!!

    I started college after high school but decided it wasnt for me.

    After I had my son I started back up again! I just now started working on my bachelors in Sociology with a major in Psychology. I wont receive my degree until january of 2016!! I will be 30 years old! I also plan on stayin in school and pursuing my Masters. I toy with the idea of getting my PH.D but only time will tell. :o)

    Fantastic! My mom didn't go to college after high school, but she went back to community college when she was 36. She liked it so much, she now has a Ph.D. and is a tenure-track professor. You never know where you might end up! :drinker:

    As for me, I am currently AB(mf'n)D in comparative literature. Starting to get some momentum on the dissertation again after an extended dry spell, blarg. I'm on fellowship until Aug. 2013, so this beast needs to get written! And then I need a job. Or, I will do as I threaten to almost weekly, and leave academia to start my own wedding floral business. :huh:
  • EpiGaiaRepens
    EpiGaiaRepens Posts: 824 Member
    Starting my first year for J.D. in two months!!

    Best advice I ever heard regarding law school:

    Be very careful about which classmates you choose to sleep with or puke in front of.

    haha. That's good. I was a single mom in law school. My day revolved around the kindergarten schedule. I missed out on a lot of the socializing. I really only made maybe two friends in law school. They were the best though and I am so glad that we became friends! I would puke in front of both of them!
  • jhayes28
    jhayes28 Posts: 28 Member
    No PhD, but working on my 2nd Bachelor Degree. First one in Health care administration, now working towards a bachelor degree in Nursing. Once done there, I will be going for Masters, and depending on how old I am when I get my Masters, I may contemplate a PhD.

    Congrats to everyone who has their Masters & PhD's! Amazing work and great dedication! Kudos! :drinker: