That is a question which perplexes many a smarty pants hoping to improve their future by way of education.  While some professors and hi-level professionals attempt to explain what a Ph.D. really is… Matthew Might, a Computer Science Professor at the University of Utah, used his impressive gray-matter to illustrate the process, and ultimate superiority, of obtaining a Ph.D.

You can find the below guide illustrated on Matt’s personal website, where you are also able to purchase a very nicely made printed version ($6.50… money goes to charity).

Imagine a circle that contains all of human knowledge:

By the time you finish elementary school, you know a little:

By the time you finish high school, you know a bit more:

With a bachelor’s degree, you gain a specialty:

A master’s degree deepens that specialty:

Reading research papers takes you to the edge of human knowledge:

Once you’re at the boundary, you focus:

You push at the boundary for a few years:

Until one day, the boundary gives way:

And, that dent you’ve made is called a Ph.D.:

Of course, the world looks different to you now:

So, don’t forget the bigger picture:

Keep pushing.

Once again… check out Matt’s very enlightening site HERE