[OT] graduate school

[Dave Smith]

Andrew Jorgensen wrote:
> Also if you are married please consider the devastating impact graduate
> school may have on your family.
>
> I'm not saying don't do it.  Just be absolutely sure you want to, and
> know why, before diving in.
>   

I can share some personal insight in that regard too. My father-in-law 
went back for his PhD (not in CS) when his 4 kids were ages 10 and 
under. It was a huge sacrifice for his wife for 5 years to scrounge up 
enough money to eat, pay rent, etc. It was a challenging time, but they 
surged onward thinking it would be rewarding later. In the end, he 
earned his PhD, used it for a few years, and then burned out in that 
field. He was unemployed for a couple years, and ended up working in an 
unrelated field. That was 15 years ago, but I still sense that it is a 
sensitive point for him and his wife to this day. They both seem to feel 
that the PhD was a near total waste of time and money. Not saying that 
will happen to you, but something to consider anyway.

Also bare in mind that once you get your PhD in CS, you are basically 
unemployable for any day-to-day coding job like what you have today, so 
not only will you commit to a new career, but you will leave your 
current career behind. Fortunately, you can do this one step at a time, 
and get your MS CS first, and then see how you feel.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide.

--Dave