WHO WOULD LOVE TO SUFFER

When the banter about choosing between PHD and an international passport started the first thing my mind went to were my professors and lectures in school with multiple PHDs to their name. Mennnh I certainly do not want to end up like them because the only thing they have to offer to the society is an outdated knowledge. I was talking with my intern at the office the other day and she mentioned how she would like to further do her masters degree after she's done with school and would certainly go for her PHD. My colleagues who heard her talk couldn't hold their laughter with the words coming from a young woman who doesn't know what it feels like to fend for herself.

Photo by Mengliu Di:

I kept quiet and tried to understand where she was coming from and the reason behind her intent, not because I didn't have an opinion on the matter but just to checkmate if there was an intelligent reason behind her decision or it was mere cowardness. And like I suspected, it was mere cowardness, her naiveness was still at play as she had always had everything given to her. The only valuable point she argued was that she wanted to be a lecturer. But her approach is just the same old cycle that has limited the educational system of my country Nigeria. I have a whole lot of opinions on this particular matter but I doubt I would have the time to put them all in one post.

First of all, If I'm choosing a passport it is not because I wish to run away from my country, it's because I'm in search of new knowledge, ideas and opportunities that would help me in my career. Especially things I am not able to get in my country. The truth is having a passport doesn't mean all my problems will be over, even if I were to get the passport for free I would still need a visa, and still need a good relocation plan so I don't end up worse than when I left my country. However, a PHD isn't my priority either because it is very well overrated. If I get a passport and succeed in whatever I do, I can get an honorary Doctorate degree which would mean I would be a professional in my career and still be referred to as a Doctor.

Photo by Gül Işık:

Another reason I would choose a passport is because I would first be doing some professional courses online in my career. The passport will come in handy if I get a job or contract oversee having obtained relevant certifications in my career. These certifications are definitely more important than a PHD. The reason is because they are practical, specialized, up to date, and more relevant in today's society than a PHD. But all these are also as a result of my choice of career in tech where no one cares about your degree as what is most important is if you are certified to do the job or not. A specialized Data analyst with world wide certifications from prominent universities and a proven portfolio is more reliable than a person with PHD in accounting that has only hypotheses in this digital economy.

THIS IS MY RESPONSE TO HIVE GHANA PROMPT FOR THE WEEK.