Paul S.

I agree with Waiting2009's sentiment. Department Name, Advisers, School Reputation, etc are all secondary compared to the individual's motivation and ability. People from lesser regarded programs often make a big splash in the professional world. Even more would if they believed in themselves as opposed to admitting they'll never be at the top unless they have certain places and names on their resume. The point is you can get so easily consumed with these supporting factors that you forgot what is really important- yourself. If you have something valuable and unique to bring to your profession then your voice will be heard and recognition will come. Shadowing the path of a successful professional does not guarantee you anything. It only shows that you're more concerned (obsessed) about the glamor and reward of being at the top than you are with doing the work to get to the top. You need passion and hard work for what you want to achieve. Aspire to love what you do. Achievement will follow as a consequence. By the way, not all people measure success by what's on the resume or what has been published. A lot of published literature goes unread, unheeded, and unregarded.

Dialogue from Lost in Translation: Bob: It gets a whole lot more complicated when you have kids. Charlotte: It's scary. Bob: The most terrifying day of your life is the day the first one is born. Charlotte: Nobody ever tells you that. Bob: Your life, as you know it... is gone. Never to return. But they learn how to walk, and they learn how to talk... and you want to be with them. And they turn out to be the most delightful people you will ever meet in your life. Charlotte: That's nice.

Good thing February is the shortest month of the year!