My biggest fear is that by the time I earn my doctorate, I'll be too old to do much with it. By the same token, I think I would still die happy ... so long as "Dr." is on my tombstone. Anyone else here with this concern? Here's my situation: I am 41 and hope to have my doctorate in about two years. At that time, I feel I'll have to compete with people in their 20s and 30s when seeking employment as a teacher. And you know about age discrimination, right? When I was in the Army, I spent a number of years working on my degrees. By the time I'd earned them, I was too old to enter the various programs for commissioned officers. Talk about disappointment! I'm hoping I can still compete for teaching jobs in my mid-40s. For what it's worth, a couple of professors told me that since I'm African American, I can get any job I want. Wow. If only that were true. But I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens. Any thoughts? Roscoe Barnes III
You did not say at what level you want to teach at. There was a very nice story in the Los Angeles Times about 3 years ago about an Afro American woman in her 60s, and minimal income, who studied for her BA and teachers credentials , then went into teaching. I will try and dig up this story from my files. I understand that the demand for teachers increases every year.
I'm interested in teaching on the college level -- secular or religious. I kinda like the thought of being called "Professor." Roscoe Barnes III
The quote of the day Thanks Bill, That's a powerful quote. It would make an excellent sig line Roscoe Barnes III
Huh??? Let's see if I understand this . . . We have one guy who is writing that the reason he wants his doctorate is so his tombstone will read "Doctor." An another guy who wants to teach at the college level so he can be called "Professor." Funny . . . When I got my doctortate (which, never hesitate to remind anyone, is regionally accredited) and taught (at the graduate school level - I skipped those undergraduate punks), I wanted to be called Steve. But I could have been called that without the doctorate. And, in fact, I was. And still am. Ain't life amazing?
Re: Huh??? ===================================== Steve It's the same guy! He (Roscoe) expressed two reasons for wanting his doc. When did you get your *doctortate* by the way, and is that sort of a special type of doctorate? =====================================
"Oh Captain, My Captain" Levicoff, I certainly understand your point. And believe me, the "reasons" I listed are not the only ones or the main ones for my pursuit. I am probably like Robin Williams' character in Dead Poet's Society: He only responded when the students addressed him as "Captain, my captain." (grin) Roscoe
I'm 43 and am hoping to wrap up my Union doctorate next Spring. Gee, I hope I'm not too old. How old will you be if you don't do it? Right. Exactly. I was enlisted, commissioned, and retired by age 36. Did that make me too young? Stop looking at the clock and start looking at your goals. BTW, doing a Ph.D. for vanity's sake is very difficult. Every time you have a crisis of will and spirit (and you will have them), you won't have much to keep you plugging on. Find a solid reason for doing it, then do it. Or don't.
No laughing matter Rich, Thanks for your comments. However, I should note that while my tongue-n-cheek comments may have raised doubts about my sincerety and motivation, I am indeed serious. Yes, I tried to JOKE about my reasons. But I am, and have always been, a goal-oriented person. My background can attest to that. From now on, I will be careful with attempting to mix humor with a serious question. Please accept my apologies. SINCERELY, Roscoe
Roscoe, you just need to develop your plan and stay the course. I am 42 years old and currently work in a government position. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunities I have to conduct training and for this reason I also plan to teach when I retire in 5 years. I've just started working on my Master's degree so I've got a way to go but I have my plan. Check out the job opportunities in the Chronicle of Higher Education. There are always plenty of opportunities posted on their web site in all parts of the country. I personally believe that the need for good teachers will continue to grow. Best of Luck to you. Tim
Thanks! Thanks to all of you for your thoughts on this issue. I intend to earn my doctorate whether I have to compete with the younger guys or not. While it is not about vanity, it is a personal goal that I would find enriching and most beneficial -- even if I never got to teach. I love education. I'm addicted to writing and research. Even when I'm not in school, I spend time reading, researching and writing. At times I do it as an author, seminar leader, freelance writer and staff journalist. Other times, I do it for pleasure. Sometimes I think my years as a journalist have a lot to do with my curiosity: I have to know. I have to research. And I have to write about what I find out. Oh well, I'm rambling now. But again, thanks to all of you. Roscoe
Roscoe, I started my PhD at the age of 55 - so, go forward "young man", go forward. And, please, continue to mix humor with your posts.......life without humor, is just, well..............
Re: Huh??? You have been called a few other things if memory serves right. And BTW, I agree with Bill, those youngsters under 50 can not claim of not having enough time. Speaking of which I have a Linear Programing quiz to study for and a Simulation homework assingment due, oh yeh, some LP homework due alos, and my sprinkler system needs work....bye
Ageism is rampant througout our youth oriented culture. As examples, in certain professions, such as in the entertainment industry, turning twenty five to thirty can ring the end of a career. In the context of the business world, individuals in their forties , many with MBAs, are being layoffed as part of corporate downsizing by the thousands and will never again be able to earn nearly what they did prior to their termination. Unfortunately, ageism does not grab the interest of many in our country due to the inordinate and pervasive idealization of the youth culture and to negative stereotypical beliefs regarding older employees. Should this stop one from pursuing an advanced degree in their forties and fifties andy beyond? Absolutely not. However, it requires a realistic assessment of oneself resulting in goal planning that is congruent with these objectives.
Since I'm not yet senile, the great things about being 62 are that now mostly retired I can devote much time to my studies, I get 10% 0ff at the hardware store, and once again people want my body....... not the gals as before, but at least the mortuaries!
Hitting the nail on the head Simon, Thanks a million. You articulated exactly what I'm concerned about. No, I'm not worried about the issue. But I am concerned. I agree with you in that we have to be realistic. For age discrimination is alive and well. I read about it and see it every day. But like you suggested, it should not discourage us from pursuing our goals in academics. Thanks again for driving the point home. Roscoe
Roscoe, if you are talking about an old-fashioned tenure-track position at an old-fashioned bricks-and-mortar university, my guess is that age might be against you slightly, unless your prior careers overlap intellectually with your present focus of study. If you are talking about teaching occasional courses hither and yon, cobbling together a college-teaching career around a major US metropolitan center, however, then my guess is that your age would not matter, and might even be a plus. As for the other issue of the hue of your skin, I'd be inclined to agree with those profs who said that your being an African-American *would* be a plus to your being hired. As an added bonus, you"ll probably have fewer concerns with skin cancer than those of us who are more pale. So hang in there! And best regards, Peter
