<quote name="Grant Robinson" date="Thu, 27 Mar 2008 at 14:15 -0600"> > > 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
Come now, I don't think it was really that insulting. And I'm not just saying that because he's my brother (ok, maybe I am :). I read the above as "there is absolutely nothing wrong with code monkeys or IT professionals, they like what they do and they make a comfy living." I myself am still on the fence between code monkey and academic. I _like_ coding, it's fun to me. I also like the deeper concepts and theory as well. As for the *really* thinking part, some people really do like to really really think, I mean like just think all day long, doing nothing but firing nuerons at everything. That's not everybody, and it doesn't make those who are like that hoidy-toidy. I will agree with you that it's not only the third type that go to grad school. However, any reason for grad school that's not "I just love it so much I don't want to do anything else" should be taken under much more scrutiny. Von Fugal -- Freedom is Popular http://www.ronpaul2008.com
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