To school or not school

A discussion worth remembering, from yesterday.

Academics is changing. It is more and more about doers who want to connect the world of theory with the world of real world experimentation and hands-in-the-mud implementation. It’s about being critical and radical, but being able to communicate and persuade others. It’s about being idealistic and stubborn, but being able to live with the frustrations and fight until the end. It’s about not losing the bigger goal to prestigious ivory towers. Not letting egos stand in the way of serving the world with our knowledge.

In the end, taking the most unusual path means I’ll have less competition (and less opportunities). And it’ll feel right. And good. And interesting.

I’ve always been a bit wary about pursuing a PhD. I know I love the academic side. I know I love the debate and discussions and theories. I know I miss it. However, for reasons that alone seem silly, but together, daunting, I’ve always thought I would be more suited to a professional masters program. I don’t want to be pigeon-holed (yet). I don’t want to spend my life dealing only with theories. I don’t want to spend four years of my life writing a thick document that doesn’t interest anybody but me.

My friend and my boss really inspire me. There is a different way. Academics is changing. Maybe I would consider gambling 4 years of my life.