July 2, 2009

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  “Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.” (Oscar Wilde)

   

  Date:  7/2/09

   

  To:  A Student in a Master’s Program

   

  Re:  Your Comment about Contemplating a PhD with Reservations

   

  Thanks so much for the response. 

   

  You know I’m not one to tell you what you should do.  And I’m not one to tell you what you should not do.  You’ve got too many voices already in your head telling you all those things so you don’t need one other voice added to that cacophony. 

   

  But I think I would like to reinforce your own statement here that you are too much of a people person to work towards a PhD and get mired in research.  I get the feeling that you enjoy the academic environment with its stimulation and the stimulating professors and fellow-students.  I find that whole environment intoxicating also.  But I think if you were to go on to get a PhD it would be to just remain in that environment for a longer period of time.  This would be an ironic case of where the journey becomes the destination.

   

  Just as a parent needs to raise a child to become independent, we must do that with our own selves also.  We need to prepare ourselves for exiting our own cocoons and flying away as the creatures we were meant to be.  The caterpillar may love to snuggle in its warm and stimulating cocoon, but it needs to prepare itself for its flight.  I think your flight should be among people.  People with whom you can enjoy getting to know and enjoy helping.  And I am sure that there are going to be a lot of people who are made happy by having you as a butterfly fly into their presence. 

   

  Did I ever tell you that your wings are going to be beautiful?

   

  • 9:55 am
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