Why would anyone want to get a PhD when it does not guarantee a high salary?
602837
You are correct in that intellectual accomplishment is not highly valued in this society.  I have a Ph.D. (which one needs to teach at the university level, as I do), and I make a fraction of what many folks in business make.  But I knew what I was doing when I decided to follow my passion rather than pursue monetary success.  I have a job I love, colleagues I treasure, students I appreciate, and I daresay that I contribute more toward the betterment of society in one year than most businesspeople do in their lifetimes.\n\nSure, it's rough sometimes.  A vacation seems like an unattainable dream, and sometimes I can't even pay all of my monthly bills.  There's no way I'll be able to buy a house for at least seven or eight more years, and I'll be making student loan payments forever.  My students drive nicer cars than I can afford, and I haven't been able to update my wardrobe in four years.  \n\nBut this year alone, fully three-quarters of my undergraduate majors went on to med school, law school, and other grad schools.  Five out of six of my master's students are going on to highly respected Ph.D. programs.  On my evaluations, my students always thank me, and let me know how important an influence I've been on their ability to think critically, and to act responsibly in the world.  (Some even write notes of gratitude on their exams!!)  \n\nNot only that, but I love my research area.  The work I'm doing is cutting-edge, and actually contributes to a greater understanding of both historical and contemporary issues.  Members of the culture I write about value my work, and think that it's helpful to them.\n\nSo.....I wouldn't trade my job for anything.  Sure, I wish I were paid what I'm worth, but in terms of what I really value in life, I'm doing great.  And that Ph.D. was absolutely, positively, unquestionably worth it.
976243
at the end of the day its your phd - you cant spend the next few years going in a direction u dont want to. go with the ideas that attract u but also retain your own independence. be open to the other ideas, but work on what interests you. \n\nis your masters not related to your phd? why should it be such a prob to do it? see how u go with your masters - put loads of energy into it - u may find that u can afford to put less time in to it and so use the 'spare time' you have then on your phd rather than the other way around. plus three years is enough if u are doing a full time phd.\n\ngood luck!\nx
840871
you took history because you like it. jobs?\ngovernement (military).\nunless you push to phd then there is little chance of employment.\nbut if what you have is a bachelors degree in history there is decent employment available. it's just not history.\ncome to korea and teach english. the pay and benifits equal that of american teachers. they don't care about what degree you have. they just require the degree. they will pay your way here and back. they will give you an apartment which they pay for. then they pay you enough that you can save $1000 a month.\nthey just want you. if you don't like kids then it won't work. but if you like children, then i promise you will be very happy because they will love you to death. no experience needed.
315213
Whats the phd in? depending on your answer the fields might be limited or competetive but most at that level are making 6 figures easy.
296809
All PhD qualified personnel, have immeasurable value, that cannot be quantified for arbitrary comparison. What society wants to evaluate is your competence to apply your knowledge for the good of society - the more good you do to society through application of your knowledge, the more you are likely to be rewarded by the societies concerned.
158665
Are you aiming for a post-doc or a professorship?\n\nThe latter is likely impossible for you, unless you are particularly brilliant (e.g. lots of research money and a recent publication in Nature or Science)
722540
if they have a PhD they might be a professional.
772394
I don't think it's easy at all... plenty of Psychology majors out there who go into that field.  Salaries can vary of course, but you're looking anywhere from the $30K and up.  If you have a PhD, you'll earn top dollar.
494903
There are a lot of jobs that are less desirable for the college grads.  Often, these are physically demanding, or perhaps somewhat dangerous jobs.  like: police, fireman, military, trucker, oil rig worker, coal miner, fisherman etc.  All paid very well.
689189
Because that's life.\n\nDon't worry, you'll be glad for all this work once you have your degree.  :D\n\nGood luck and keep up the good work!
353796
I agree w/ asleep.  I just got my MS and PhD, it took me 8 years total.  It's really a stepping stone for a life in research.  At your age, you may not want to consider a research job, considering the very long hours and the mediocre pay.  If you want to get an MS and be a technician, that's probably a good thing to do.  But as far as getting a PhD, unless you have 4-8 years to kill and no need for money, i wouldn't do it.  Also the learning curve will be steep.  Things I learned 8 years ago are already obsolete.  I came into the field (biomedical science) from an ecology background and had a hard time.  Nowadays its all about genomics and huge, complicated molecular pathways.  Honestly I dont' see how students in ten years could get through the coursework because of the explosion in knowledge.  Either the coursework is hopelessly difficult or completely useless.
588853
Generally speaking, not wanting to work. Money can be easily had if one is willing to single-mindedly pursue it, or if you're a lucky genius with a great idea.\n\nThe only way to go upward in class is to work hard, and most people are not willing to work that hard at it. Personally, I'm middle-class from middle-class stock and that's good enough. I'm not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to be "rich".
564435
eighty thousand a year is good for one who just gets their papers.  Entry level PhD. Psychology  In a good agency, one can command more; closer to one hundred thousand a year.  But in reality, greed from the CEOs an such, they'll try to pay $60,000.
891016
In olden days, the Doctorate profession was honoured a lot(It still is now) and if you were a doctor, you were like God. So generations after generations have been filled with the word DOCTOR in their minds. It is basically for the High Salary. People naturally want more money for a better life, so, those days only a DOCTOR could fulfill that. But these days EDUCATED Indians are not forcing their children in the field of Medicine. That Doctor Thingy still continues in the rural part of India though.
1176645
this is part of what they are taught in school. that they are the elite of society and that they are to spread their knowledge amoungst the uneducated people. this happens at every level of education, even those with "only a Master's" are looked down upon and are not considered as refined or as well versed as those with PhDs. What most people don't realize, is that they learned only what they were taught, this doesn't make them anymore wise that anyone else necessarily... it just makes them more knowledgable in certain subject matter.
551591
In China,that depends--depends on your ability,the company you work for,and whether yopu are luky. A good fresh PhD holder may get the salary of more than 20,000 monthly  while some unluky guys may just get much less.
453250
Determination is the primary factor in future success.  If you lack motivation to accomplish great things, it doesn't really matter if you have a PhD or a HS Diploma.