I hit the last major challenge of my Master's degree: the oral presentation and defense of my thesis.

-- and I successfully completed that this afternoon. In fact the instructors on the committee said it was one of the best they have seen in the past several years, and that I have at least two papers I can publish based on its content.

Now I am on cruise control until graduation next month... then I can start thinking about whether that PhD would be worth another 4 or so years of stress in my life.

 

Crap, what's this doing in here? It's supposed to be in the SoCal forum!

 

congrats, and i thought finishing up my bs in c.s. was hard enough.

 

Congrats! I am one year away from finishing my M.S. I was actually just working on my thesis a few minutes ago, but got frustrated and took a break. I can't believe how fast the past year has gone. It has been really stressful at times, but I know it is gonna be worth it. Besides, I am at the top of the mountain right now and I can actually see the other side. Just gotta get crackin' on this thesis proposal! Congrats again!

 

sweet! I have 4 classes left until my masters (MBA)...How old are you? I'm 22 right now but I don't know if I could do all this school again for my PHD. Plus all the loans from College and now Grad school. I'm sure all this work will be worth it I'm actually at my school trying to type out my huge portfolio investments strategy paper then working on my power point presentation for my thesis outline but of course I'm on the boards reading! My thesis is actually going to be really fun, involves my concentration in marketing and the automotive industry. Might actually ask for help from some of you guys on some topics

 

I'm graduating with an MA in a few weeks as well. No PhD for me though!

 

Two years into my PhD right now and another two to go. I have just finished my last classes so the remaining two years will be pure research and teaching.

I'm 28 and have been in college for 10 years straight. I'm in the top ranked program in the nation and I love every minute that I'm there.

It's been more stressful than one person should probably have to take. It has made my previous degrees look like a complete joke. But I have goals and it's all in an effort to get where I want to go and I'm willing to do what ever it takes.

 

You guys are insane. Congrats.

 

I'm 38. I got a late start in it all because of military commitments interfering with school (long story). I lucked out because work decided to pay for MS and PHD programs for employees as a benefit, and I jumped at it the moment it was offered. So if tuition, books and parking are free, why the hell not?

After a PhD, I'll be in my mid-40's. That would include giving up my current career, unless someone here has any tips on how to juggle a job, wife, kid and PhD program all at the same time.

My Thesis was pretty fun too. It was basically how to hack into 802.11 networks, and the climax was a how-to session on breaking into the campus VPN via the campus wireless network.

Successfully, I might add

 

Tell us the LONG STORY