7 Things I Have Learned As a Grad Student: Day 3
Grad students really have to love what they do
Many of my undergraduate classmates went straight to full-time jobs. And I think most of them are probably earning two to three times what I earn as a graduate student. Knowing that, I realize that I have to be really passionate about my PhD area to be crazy enough to pursue it.
Of course, there is some reputation that comes along with completing a PhD degree, but the sacrifices are many. Low income, endless research, and exams, to mention just a few. But when you really love what you do, it's all worth it. I may not earn as much as my contemporaries, but the experience is an invaluable one.
Comments
You're definitley right on that. You really have to love what you do to be a grad student. I'm glad you're getting so much out of your experience and enjoying it. I admire you and Marian greatly, 'cause I don't think I could handle the sacrifices involved with doing a PhD nearly as well as you guys. You guys love what you do so much, it sometimes seems that you don't even feel it.
Posted by: Lidia Noemà | August 24, 2008 4:55 PM
i have to "love" what I'm doing, if I'm a grad student? Sounds a bit rough for me, considering i still need to think of a major for myself. Yet you have a grand point there, one of the good things in life is job satisfaction.
Posted by: RuneArcN8 | August 28, 2008 3:46 PM