AMERICAN TITLES OF NOBILITY: Why the heck am I trying to get my Ph.D.? That's what I ask myself as I stare endlessly at this computer screen studying for the absurdly difficult Written Qualifying Exams I have to take next week. What's the point? I already have my M.S. in computer science, and getting a Ph.D. won't significantly improve my earning power. In fact, when you factor in the cost of school, it may not even pay for itself in the long run. (It helps that I'm working full-time while I'm in school, however.) I don't see myself going into academia at the moment, but I may want to some time in the future. About the only reason to get a Ph.D. in CS is if you want to teach or do research. Myself, I'd rather make money -- for now anyway.
Ok then, so let's be honest... am I putting in all this work just so that I can put "Dr." in front of my name? Dr. Michael Williams. Hm, it does look nifty, I'll grant you that. There aren't many titles that are available to Americans: President, Senator, Justice, Judge, Representative, Governor, Mayor, Secretary, Ambassador, various military ranks... that's about it. Not like Europe where every pop sensation gets knighted, and not like the third world where everyone and their mom gets to be a Warlord, or a Colonel, or a General.
Unless I want to move to Somolia, form a mercenary band, take over a small town, and make myself a Warlord, I guess I should just stick with grad school. If I can't pass these exams... well, Colonel Michael Williams doesn't look so bad.
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