On Mar 27, 2008, at 1:15 PM, Hans Fugal wrote:
<snip>
To the rest of you, get a life. So graduate school isn't right for
you. Get over yourself. Yes, graduate school is not necessary for a
comfy living in IT. Yes, many people enjoy being code monkeys or
entrepeneurs. Guess what, some people like to think. I mean *really*
think. We're the ones that go to grad school. It's not for everyone.
Neither is IT. Neither is culinary arts. Neither is welding. All
anyone can hope for is to enjoy what he does and get paid well
enough to live on it. (If you enjoy getting paid big bucks no matter
what you are actually doing during the day, that's ok too.)
Hans,
While I like you, I don't really like the hoidy-toidy implication you
just made that there are three types of people: code monkeys,
entrepreneurs, and people who like to *really* think, and that the
only people who are not in one of the first two groups are those who
go to grad school. If I didn't know you (which I do), I could create
a stereotype like the one you have just espoused that those who DO go
to grad school are pompous, arrogant, and look down their noses at
those who don't choose to pursue graduate degrees (none of which are
desirable traits in a friend, co-worker, student, or human being).
Believe me, having met some people who have graduated with an MS,
going to grad school (PhD, or MS) does not make someone a person who
either likes to *really* think or someone who is capable of *really*
thinking (the same can be said about people who don't go to grad
school).
While I agree with the general point of your email (having people
offer some constructive advice between UVA and VT and not on whether a
graduate degree will further your career aspirations in the IT/
software industry), it would probably be better to do so in a way that
is not insulting, and to do so in a way that paints you in a better
light for those who only know you through email.
Grant
/*
PLUG: http://plug.org, #utah on irc.freenode.net
Unsubscribe: http://plug.org/mailman/options/plug
Don't fear the penguin.
*/
