[pct-l] What do you guys do for money?

[Jeffrey Olson]

Get a PhD in a field that has more jobs than applicants (nursing and 
social work).  Make sure the university you attend for graduate work is 
on the quarter system.  That gives you four months in the summer to hike 
- for two to four summers.  Borrow money to pay for it - education 
offers the best return on investment there is.

Once you go on the job market don't be fooled by "publish or perish" 
opportunities.   You'll be on the hamster wheel for the rest of your 
life.  It'll make your parents feel good, but if you have any wanderlust 
at all, you'll be somewhat miserable - until you break out...

Find a place that values teaching and then learn how to be an excellent 
teacher.  That takes four to eight years.  You'll have summers off, and 
if there are any publishing/research expectations, they'll be minimal.

At least once during the first phase of your career, change jobs and 
take the fall semester off.  If the college that made you an offer wants 
you, they'll wait.

If you stay in one place five or more years, negotiate a semester off 
without pay, or a sabbatical with pay. You should be able to do five 
plus month long hikes every three to five years if you want.

As a friend recently said as he started his first real job as an adult 
as a MD at the age of 35,  "the hardest part of med school is getting 
in."  He spent four years of med school snowboarding at snoqualmie and 
stevens two days a week.

There are lots of ways you can do doctoring that don't involve building 
a practice and doing 15 minute exams...

Finally, don't have kids...

Jeffrey Olson
Martin, SD