Hi, I don't regret my PhD in retrospect (I did have plenty of regrets and misgivings along the way). The PhD gave me a lot of free education (and not having to

Hi, I don't regret my PhD in retrospect (I did have plenty of regrets and misgivings along the way). The PhD gave me a lot of free education (and not having to worry much about getting W's on classes, so less fear of failure), free travel to conferences, and learning things the hard way. Learning to program helped me get a job after graduation. I wasn't planning to get back into academia but two years ago I got a teaching job somewhat out of the blue, which wouldn't have been possible without the degree (it's not a research university like my alma mater--I don't think I would have wanted to get back into that world). The jobs in industry after the PhD helped me pay off my undergrad student loans. I don't know if you can think of it as being a rewarding experience in it's own right but it is something of intangible value and opportunity. My Grandma always said that no one can take your education away from you.