When you think you know it all…
Hi guys,
So I stumbled upon this little illustration and thought I’d share it with you.
Enjoy!
———–
Imagine a circle that contains all of human knowledge:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.001.jpg?w=440)
By the time you finish elementary school, you know a little:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.002.jpg?w=440)
By the time you finish high school, you know a bit more:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.003.jpg?w=440)
With a bachelor’s degree, you gain a specialty:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.004.jpg?w=440)
A master’s degree deepens that specialty:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.005.jpg?w=440)
Reading research papers takes you to the edge of human knowledge:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.006.jpg?w=440)
Once you’re at the boundary, you focus:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.007.jpg?w=440)
You push at the boundary for a few years:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.008.jpg?w=440)
Until one day, the boundary gives way:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.009.jpg?w=440)
And, that dent you’ve made is called a Ph.D.:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.010.jpg?w=440)
Of course, the world looks different to you now:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.011.jpg?w=440)
So, don’t forget the bigger picture:
![](https://i0.wp.com/matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/images/PhDKnowledge.012.jpg?w=440)
Keep pushing.
Where do you fit in?
-Michelle
“The Illustrated Guide to a PhD”
http://matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/ Originally created by Matt Might
http://matt.might.net/