Ozspen: You know that a PhD dissertation, the highest degree in my discipline.

Well, that's great, but what do you actually do that benefits people? Do you have a useful day job?

I was an Engineering Tradesperson (Mechanical). You know, A Fitter, Turner, Boilermaker, Electrician & Carpenter & I've got more tickets for Heavy Machinery than you can poke a stick at. A Certificate 111 in Computers & Certificate 111 in Business Studies. An Instructor in All Weapons, Map Reading, Military Tactics (Jungle) & Military Law & ahh Drill. You know, really useful things.

An ex lady of mine had an Arts Degree in translating Ancient English into Old English. Couldn't get a job anywhere for love nor money. She became a Nurse & still was last I heard.

JayB,

<<Ozspen: You know that a PhD dissertation, the highest degree in my discipline. Well, that's great, but what do you actually do that benefits people? Do you have a useful day job?>>

I contemplated not responding to your cynical, disparaging comments. I also have a Cert IV in Training and Assessment.

All my life I've had useful, encouraging and beneficial employment. Before I retired - GET THAT - before I retired, I was counselling co-ordinator and counselling manager for 17 years with difficult youth and their disillusioned parents. I've had many years of practical counselling experience with marriages and families.

Even now I could walk into a job that pays well and uses my PhD qualifications to advantage.

You need to take off the blinkers that close your mind to high degrees leading to useless jobs.

Ozspen: Even now I could walk into a job that pays well and uses my PhD qualifications to advantage.

I get the fact that you are a very intelligent person with a very high degree. As I said, I read your dissertations, One & a half Reams of paper, I'd say it's very good, for what it is, but doesn't actually prove anything other than you can critique someone else's work. It's not like finding a cure for Cancer, something useful. I know you are proud of your Dissertation, you keep letting people know you have done one, often. That tells me, in my opinion, that you have an Inferiority Complex & have to prove to people how good you are.

I don't, I know. I don't have to prove anything to anyone.

I have noticed that if anyone new come on here you have to inform them about just, how great thou art.

Someone could do the same with "Alice I Wonderland & get a PhD."

Have you done any "Original" work. I have noticed that when someone does their Masters in Uni. they seem to just rehash older work by several authors. Later someone will include your work in their work & so on & so on. No Original work. Not just on Religion but on every subject.

I have been to Councilor's & I have a Niece who is one. Loony Tunes. She had head problems so she became a Councilor. I have noticed that most Councilors all started out that way. It must involve a lot of training to say to a client, "& How do YOU feeeellll… about that? ah Hummm…." The first time I heard that I burst out laughing. Much to the dismay of the Councilor.
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It's like everything is scripted now-a-days. After my first Operation I had to go to a Physio. I got the speal about what to do & how to do it. If I interrupted she went back a few words, like a rewind on a tape, & start4ed again. Then after my second Op. I went to another Physio & got exactly the same speal. Then he went to the next patient & he gave her exactly the same speal as he gave me. Both of them were more interested in selling their "Products."

My wife & I went to buy her a car & the Sales manager came out & gave us this big scripted speal about their Product & how good it was. He must of spent hours in front of a mirror to get it just right & all the hand gestures too. I burst out laughing about half way through. We didn't buy that car.

I'm not saying Councilor's don't have their place, they do. They have to do something with all the Education. I suppose.

As for taking up where you left off before you retired. I'm retired as well, & yes, so could I, In any number of my various roles in life. I still Instruct (teach). I have grand children & a street full of kids who need help from time to time. Building a Cubby, fixing a Skate board/bike, learning to read, play nicely (sorting out their little scraps). I never do it for them. I make them do it themselves, just a little guidance & advice. That way they learn & build confidence. "You can do it."

See, you never really retire. It's just a new phase of life.

No-one really cares if you have a PhD. Other people have skills that are much more valuable to the World than "Ahaaa Hmmm...."

Hi Jayb: Again I kinda agree with you. I think it is important to have practical goals in mind. But equally it is important to ask questions, and this is what intellectual work does. Interestingly, you are making some important intellectual points in your post, such as that effective education and training does not involve doing things for people. In fairness to OzSpen, though, I don't think he really was flaunting his qualifications - rather, that was my fault, due to some search-engine work on my part!

DR JP: it is important to ask questions,

Agreed, but some people don't like the questions I ask. I'd never get on the ABC because the questions I would ask no-one would want to answer. Regardless of which side of Politics they were on. There would be diversion after diversion.

I believe that if you don't ask question you'll never learn anything. Even a desperate diversion can teach you something. I you get my point.

Dr JP: effective education and training does not involve doing things for people.

But what you do with the result does.

Dr JP: I don't think he really was flaunting his qualifications.

He has in other Posts & mentioned it again in this one.

I do tend to be a bit blunt in my Posts & cut to the chase. It come's of old Sig. Training in the Army. Short & precise. I've never been able to flower thing out. I guess I have a Precis type of mind. Sort of, "Zero Niner, this is, Two, Two, Alpha, Target, Over.

Oh, my Call Sign, & Zero Niner, is Mortars. I thought I'd better explain that. ;-)