The Great School Debate

While Shawn and I were in the hot tub last night we were talking about how I really desire to go back to school. Right after I finished my Master's Degree (I use caps because a Master of Arts Degree was difficult to obtain and I think I deserve some props for spending almost three more years doing research, writing papers and studying my butt off - - - - contrary to the belief of some people, it was a hard few years, one of the most challenging things I have ever done. And to top it all off, I received a Masters Degree in Communication Studies, a major some would consider to be easy. Not so! The BA degree was fairly easy as almost all BA's are (contrary to popular belief) - - - - you learn something, regurgitate it, write a paper, get an A - - - and the cycle goes on and on. But the there was something fairly difficult about getting a Masters Degree. Lots of time researching, lots of time thinking, lots of time writing 30 page papers (and one paper over 100), and for me, lots of time working an everyday job 40 hours a week, then at the end, teaching at a University, all at the same time. Believe it or not, this experience and even my major has been discounted by some in my life. And to go even further, it has been said that I am 'not an actual professor', rather I just 'teach' at a college. Let me break it down for you - I am 'actually a professor'. Call my voicemail at one of the college's I work for and see what the school has left as the outgoing message. That's right, my title is Professor of Communication Studies.

Getting back to my point. Shawn and I were talking last night about me going back to school. Since we moved up here I have been teaching classes here and there, which has been exciting, as being a college instructor always is. But I feel like my brain needs some stimulation. I was thinking about a second Master's Degree - a cop out really. After having a Master's Degree, getting another one is like having a house and buying a vacation home. Nothing exciting, just more research studies, more papers, more conferences presenting those papers, more time at the library, oh yeah, and did I mention more papers? I wrote so many 20 to 30 page papers in graduate school that I can barely see straight anymore. But there's something more I desire. Could it be? No! Can't be! But oh yes, it is......I am seriously considering a PhD. I thought about it right out of grad school, but decided it wasn't the time. I revisit this idea about once a year, but for some reason it's kinda sticking now. I would have to be away from Shawn for months at a time which would almost kill me, but I am thinking it would be worth it in the end. I am still up in the air, but getting closer to a decision. I have emailed a couple of schools to find out what their programs consist of.

Oh yeah - and the best part - there are a few people in my life that I would require to call me Dr.