It happened again.

An acquaintance introduced me to a colleague and after the exchange of names, titles and work places, I remarked that we did similar kinds of work. My acquaintance immediately said “No, no. She has a PhD. She’s Dr. So-and-so.”

As if her degree changed the fact that we had the same titles and did the same job.

I deal with this all the time in academia. A subtle and often not so subtle belief that everything tastes better with a PhD.

I deeply respect the work and dedication that it takes for someone to get their PhD. I work in a system where it means that Dr. So-and-so automatically have higher status than I do. I know it means that they know more than I do about any and every subject. I also know I will never have a PhD.

Once upon a time I thought I would get a PhD and teach, write and go to meetings for a living. And then life happened. I went in a different direction. I am not ashamed of my education or lack of a doctorate. Here I am and no regrets. And I still get to go to meetings for a living