Job Discussion Forums

J. · Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 327

But just to say I was also flirting with the idea. I went back to college in my mid-forties and have been teaching for about 10 years. At that mark, I think one tends to be thinking of doing more/ stretching oneself in another direction, whether one is 35 or 55.

Just a little note to merlin and any others that are assuming that everyone around 60 is out in the pasture, or deserves to be, I think you might want to take a look at what people of that age are doing these days. A lot of us aren't even thinking of retirement yet.

If you're healthy, do what you love. You still have time. If you're enthusiastic and talented, you can be great at any age. The key is not to believe the ageists. Brain death precedes death of the body, in some by about 70 years.

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

Thanks for all the comments; they do help.

Frank McCourt published his first--and, or course, wildly popular--book at age 67. I feel like my creative writing is improving, yes, but also that the doctoral program would kick me in the *** to work harder and produce a better book. With first a print journalist's background and then two decades of teaching EFL and reading preposterous student "essays," the transition to publishable creative writing has been interesting but not quite ready for prime time.

carnac · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 11:06 am Post subject:

I am 61, have an MSc in Tesol, teach and administrate in the Arabian Gulf. Was recently offered a free PhD (tuition, books, everything) by my U. Turned it down, with thanks. Money and satisfaction with life at this stage more important. Job is very good; environment not bad. Have wanted PhD for a long time, but only recently took a hard lookand made decision. Vanity? PhD after my name? Don't need it. I know who I am.
In a field such as Linguistics, a PhD helps get published and get your thoughts out into the world for publication. A semi- or actual science. Creative writing PhD? Possible, and a fairly new field, I think. (See Steven King's book on writing; also see Mark Twain.) Lots of theory there. Who will publish you? (PhDs MUST publish.)
Do this for your own personal satisfaction in order to die a PhD. ("Jeez, look at this dead guy! He was a PhD!) Or, find something else that is personally satisfying and challenging, that you can do from where you are in life. It can't be for the money: you will lose.
"It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you have."
A PhD program to "kick you in the a**"?
Kick yourself there instead. You look for something from outside which can only come from the inside of you. A PhD program makes you work like a donkey to get a piece of paper which does little for you in terms of creativity: mostly, it proves you are a good donkey. (I have mentored many PhD candidates, and this is, at least, my experience.)
At age 61, either you can do it or you can't. A PhD whatever is no miracle, especially for your own writing. I suspect it might be stultifying for you.
Go to a good library, if you are in a Western country. Lots of books by great writers about the art of writing. Teach yourself. Listen to them.
You will earn your own personal PhD while you continue to earn decent (hopefully) money.
Whatever you decide, I wish you well.
Best wishes, and all the very best to you. I completely understand.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

The first book is written, as well as other things that you haven't read and thus are in a poor position to judge.