Dissertation Blues:
In 1995, after having devoted four long years to graduate work in Arabic and linguistics, I was faced with the prospect of delving into a multi-year dissertation-writing effort. I had a difficult time getting excited about writing a virtual book which, in all likelihood, no one would ever read. And since putting food on the table was something that could not be put off, I went out and got a job in the field of computational linguistics, the field I've been working in ever since. Since that time, my dissertation, the last step toward my obtaining a PhD in Arabic and linguistics, has been on hold.
Earlier this year, I met with my advisors at Georgetown and convinced them that employment obligations prevented me from giving my research the attention it needed in order for me to finish in a timely fashion and that my interests would be better served with a Master's degree in linguistics which I would qualify for by writing a 35-page paper instead of the book that the Ph.D. would require of me. They agreed that a PhD wouldn't be particularly useful to me if I continued to follow the career path I am currently on. Many of my friends and family think I am making a mistake not to simply finish this last step toward being awarded the PhD. What they don't understand, though, is that this seemingly simple step involves the investment of as much time and effort as all my previous university education combined. That is time I simply don't have anymore. In addition to my career in computational linguistics, I have many other goals that are important to me. I simply don't see how I will ever get around to these if I continue to place importance on superficial things like degrees and awards.
I feel that my decision is validated in an article I read recently about the state of higher education in America today entitled "How To Make A PhD Matter". The article appeared in the New York Times Magazine in late 1996. In it, the author deftly sums up the reasons why the educational system is broken and how doing away with the dissertation requirement will contribute to its repair. I believe his conclusions, which are shared by at least a few academics from both the sciences and the humanities whom he cites in the article, are right on the mark. If you are interested, click here to read the article in its entirety. And let me know your thoughts: forgetfuljones@oocities.com
Last Updated Oct. 19th, 1999