These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues. -Abigail Adams
Ok, so I’m not calling myself a genius. But I just heard this quote on Meet the Press, and it reminded me of the decision I’ve been struggling with for the last few months. And it just crystallized for me.
I’m not going to apply to Ph.D. programs this fall.
Quite simply, I want to go out and DO things now. I’ve been in school and I’ve been sitting behind a computer when I should’ve been out on the street, working, paying attention. This summer when I was out and about, meeting people, doing things, arguing and debating and having a life, I was happy.
There’s a temptation for me always to bury myself in books, to stay home and sit behind the computer, to study things. I can hide out anytime.
The economy is scary, and I know that I could get into a Ph.D. program and get an assistantship and work my tail off for another four or five years without having to think about the job market. Hell, in some ways after Tuesday’s victory it’s even more tempting, to be happy with what we’ve done and allow someone else to have that responsibility for a while.
But I’m not going to do it.
I want, like so many other people, to be a part of fixing this country.
And so in May I’ll take my degree and hit the job market. And I’ll find something. No hiding in the ivory tower because I’m afraid of what might be out there.
Look what we just did. We can do anything. I can do anything.
The ivory towers loss will be the worlds gain I am sure.
Good for you!
Not that it would have been necessarily bad to continue on in adademia, but because you have made a choice you feel good about. I hope you post about your process of going out into the market after getting your masters, because I’ll be in that position next year and still haven’t made up my mind about what to do.