"Education gives you freedom," Jerry Buss says. Growing up poor in Kemmerer's coal mining region, Buss decided early on that life underground was not for him. "I realized that most of the kids who grew up in the mining camps stayed in those towns and worked in the mines. I didn't see myself doing that; for one thing, I didn't like the idea of being a couple of miles underground with all that stuff over my head. So, freedom became the most important thing in my life, and education became my way out."
As most people know, Jerry Buss is the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and a past owner of the National Hockey League Kings. However, less people may know that he got his Ph.D in chemistry at the University of Southern California at age 24. I remember one day he was on an interview and was asked how much difference his Ph.D experience made for him to his future success. He said, well, it did not make too much difference on my career or did not mean that I am smarter either, but it did teach me how to handle loneliness, and that is very important.I guess this is so TRUE when you decide to pursue a Ph.D. You should know this is a tough journey where you need to move ahead on your own. You make your own choice on every crossing, taking your own direction step by step, leaving your own persevere footprints behind. And then, one day, you will find yourself a proud and strong person inside. This is the type of personality that I should achieve, and this is also the type of attitude anyone who want success should possess.
Remember, sweet sugar will not lead you to success, but loneliness may.
