Why Did You Get (or Why are You Pursuing) Your Ph.D.?

For those who chose to pursue a PhD mid-career or late in their careers, how did you make the transition to becoming a full-time student? As I begin my doctoral program next Spring, I'm eager to learn any tips, learnings, or advice you have to offer.

Thanks!

Now don't you go hijacking my post, Alan, lol. I fit into that category and will be happy to speak with you by email.

Dear Dr. Hines,

I am so happy that you persevered and received your Ph.D. You have a great deal to contribute to the field, and your knowledge and inspiration serves to encourage others to succeed. Continue to stay positive, and uplift others along this journey. --JH

Thank You Dr. Hargrove. Why did you get your Ph.D.?

I got my PhD because I had something to say (as if you couldn't tell that already) and no one ready listens if you don't have initials after your name. Or at least they are more ready to listen when you have solid credentials and a title.

It has been great...and I did it all part-time after work (BS, BA, MBA, MHR, and PhD).

Dr. Glover,
I admire people like you who had the stick-to-itiveness to do a degree part time. I did my masters in a year and my Ph.D. in three because that's all the time I had to give to each endeavor. I went to school and took all the classes I could every session, including all three summer sessions and wrote my dissertation when I returned to work in a year. It was taxing but I don't know if I could have stuck with it for many years like I have seen other people do.