Illustrated Guide to a PhD (and Perhaps MDs Too!)

Original work "The Illustrated Guide to a PhD" by Dr. Matt Might. Though geared towards a PhD, this guide can apply to MDs as well.

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:

But, don't forget the bigger picture:

Keep pushing.