Rich, I think you have a very good point - from what *I* see, the tradesman/maverick/"rock star" is how I see immediate advancement in this field.
Adam, if you went back to school at this point in your career I don't see that it would be that useful for you to advance your career, unless you were interesting in changing fields, (as I did). Work experience is worth a lot and you clearly don't *need* a degree to advance; your own work history is an example of that. However, I agree with Uday et al's comments, that there is more to grad school than coursework. Besides all of the reasons that were mentioned above, I'd also add the pride of accomplishment in yourself and the sheer satisfaction of obsessing over something you're completely passionate about, with others, and not worrying so much about it's business practicality. It's been a few years since I left grad school and I miss all the time - for the challenge, rigor; learning incredible things that would barely have much practical, applicable use for me after graduation, socializing, the camaraderie and friendships. I'm disappointed to see that anyone with a PhD would be put so low on a list of potential employees, just because they have a PhD. (That was my interpretation of the statement.) They should have just as much of a chance at a job as anyone else. I see a PhD - and I'm looking into returning, BTW; for full disclosure - as someone who simply followed a field of study that they felt passionate about and took the time to research as much as they could about that topic. If I could, I would follow this field more at a more advanced PhD level. Not because it would lead to an academic degree, but because *I would like it*. However, I'm not so sure about the program - that they even exist or that the base of knowledge that they're drawing from is academically/theoretically sound. (You do learn a lot on the job, esp if you have *enough* to get you started. Plus switching jobs means you have to learn a bunch of new stuff anyway.) One of the worries that I have about higher level academic programs is, honestly, that there seems to be more more disagreement from the "leaders" of the fields of IxD (IA, Usability, etc.) that it would almost seem like a waste of time and money to study something so undefined. Seems like I'd get more out of studying anthropology, psychology, or HCI. (I'm not saying this to be inflammatory; it's just an observation.) I'm pretty new so I may not have fully complete understanding. Back to the post, I'm curious if for those who are worried about relocating, if you would relocate your family for a new job? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=30391 ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
