[RightWhale]

I don't have a PhD. However, I have observed many who do have PhDs and have noticed that having a PhD and looking for a job is a misapplication of credentials. Holding a PhD is more like winning the lottery. One can and should write one's own ticket. Also, a PhD need not do the work associated with that particular field, but should direct the work. Rather than working in the lab, the PhD should own the lab. Rather than programming the supercomputer, the PhD should own the supercomputer. Rather than designing Mars spacecraft, the PhD should be directing the project. Look at our favorite villains Soros, Savage and
Chomsky: They don't have jobs and they aren't known for the contents of the PhDs. They have the world at their feet, and that is the true use of the PhD.

[dhs12345]

I work in Applied Science, Engineering, where there are no new discoveries. Just applications of existing technologies to produce a widget that can be sold for money. Shouldn't say no new discoveries, because we are creating new things all of the time. However, it is done with known/existing processes and building blocks. Repeatability is key since we will want to build thousands, millions...

Masters is useful in this area. However, a PhD doesn't gain you much unless it is in research for some company like IBM with a goal of developing the next widget or improving upon an existing one.

But those jobs are rare. True, some Engineers have PhDs but that is more of a hindrance than a benefit. And there are other branches of engineering where a PhD might be handy, i.e., DoD or Aerospace.

[azhenfud]

PhD = Piled high & Deep