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PhD and Unemployed

March 4th, 2013 at 08:16 pm

So in 11 days, March 15, I should have my PhD and be gainfully unemployed. Yuck! Honestly I'm really not feeling all that proud of my PhD. I already know that many business people think people with a PhD are elitist or know-it-all's or will demand a high paycheck. Really, most of us just really want to earn a real paycheck after years of working for our tuition and a paltry part-time stipend.

I can say that there is one thing from this process I am proud of. I am proud that I completed my degree a quarter early despite all that I faced: getting married, getting pregnant, having one adviser move across country, having another adviser pass away, and having my daughter 5 weeks early, and raising her while writing my dissertation.

After I lose my job, I'm going to start cleaning out our apartment, selling furniture, and generally preparing to move. Hopefully we can generate a little cash so we can pay movers to get us out of our 3rd & 4th story apartment.

16 Responses to “PhD and Unemployed”

  1. CB in the City Says:
    1362430024

    A PhD is something to be proud of, no matter what the circumstances. Congratulations!

  2. NJDebbie Says:
    1362432941

    Congrats, you should be really proud!

  3. Beawealthywarrior Says:
    1362434558

    Congrats on completing your PhD, I hope to start this Fall. What is your degree in if I may ask?

  4. snshijuptr Says:
    1362434767

    My degree is a PhD in Education.

  5. Beawealthywarrior Says:
    1362435738

    What school are u getting it from? Please tell me if I'm being too nosey

  6. snshijuptr Says:
    1362435963

    I would rather not share my school. It isn't their fault I don't want to use my degree.

  7. baselle Says:
    1362439285

    Congratulations on earning your PhD. There are certain times in my life where I was ambivalent about it, but its a positive. It means:

    You can prove that you have enough drive and initiative to reach your goals even when things happen. I've seen people far smarter than me bomb out because they weren't able to try the 7th tweek after their experiment failed 6 previous times.

    You have an excellent bull$h*t detector. And BS can come from many sources including your major professor.

    You can read and analyze on the fly.

    Sometimes those are skills that, ahem, will terrify the business boss to be. Especially skill 2.Smile

  8. sarah Says:
    1362449393

    I to have a PhD and went through the letdown after my defense. However, It will get better. Are you interviewing for a tenure track job.

  9. snshijuptr Says:
    1362449875

    No tenue track. I have no interest in publishing.

  10. wowitsawonderfullife Says:
    1362487388

    Congratulations!

  11. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    1362501114

    Your whole second paragraph: You've got stamina!

  12. Donna Says:
    1362790560

    Your degree is something to be proud of. You set a goal and you achieved it. You've demonstrated perseverance in the face of some difficult challenges. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

  13. Foxie25 Says:
    1362869168

    Congrats! That's a huge accomplishment. Get yourself settled and then worry about what to do with the rest of your life.

  14. My English Castle Says:
    1363303614

    Your PhD experience sounds like mine. Life happens while you should be writing! Good luck!

  15. Jerry Says:
    1363604276

    Congratulations! That was (OK, certain paragraphs of your post - like the second one - were) inspiring to me as a doctoral candidate. Wink I totally get it, and I feel much the same way sometimes. I have finished one of my "terminal" degrees already, so sometimes I wonder if the dissertation is worth all of the headaches, but I do NOT want it to lead to an ABD situation. I think it is good to have the insurance of being DONE, no matter what you do with the degree! Much success and positive energy to you going forward...
    Jerry

    P.S. That was pretty awesome, baselle. Smile

  16. annereese76 Says:
    1364692943

    Oh my goodness girl! I have been there myself and with that set of circumstances, all i can say is that you should be VERY proud of yourself! An I totally know what you mean about just wanting a real paycheck at this point. You have worked hard for it. Give it time. I will be rooting for you. Hope the move goes well!

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