Any grad students? Recent PhDs?

I'm wondering if there are any grad students or recent PhDs in the social sciences or humanities (history in particular) who might be willing to share some thoughts about academic life?

Given all of the scary warnings out in internet-land discouraging people from pursuing PhDs (like this one) I would just like to know if you think it is worth it? Is grad school really as bad as some make it out to be? Is the sacrifice worth it? If you could start over again, would you still have gone to grad school?

Are there any resources, articles, or books that you would recommend for someone trying to discern whether or not to go to grad school? Any thoughts on particularly marketable academic disciplines?

Thanks in advance, DU!

Realize it's not humanities, but I am glad I did it.

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies: Humanities.

I'm enjoying it. Next semester I have to do my thesis, so that may change. ;) I'm also lucky enough to be focusing solely on school. I live on campus, 5 hours away from home, where I still live w/my parents because I can't afford to move out.

It's a little lonely being away from friends and having nothing to do but homework and errands, but I'm glad I'm doing this. I don't know what kind of work I'll find after I graduate (hopefully Spring '09!), but I try to remain optimistic. :)

And I'm saying this - with profound eloquence - because I've just started a PhD program in Mass Communication. My professors and I respect one another, within certain limitations, and they know me to be a junior colleague. I enjoy the mental challenge of my reading, and after I finish the first year "hazing" process, I look forward to starting work on my own research and eventually my dissertation. Respect for graduate students, at least at my institution, is underscored twice-fold. Professors know better than to abuse their graduate students, and if they do, they must answer to an ethics panel. So far, despite the enormous hard work that comes in the first year of my program, it's worth every headache and tear.

If you do decide to pursue doctoral-level work, do your best to get into a tier 1 research university. Your experience will be far more enriching, and you'll have an easier time finding choice positions afterward.

Good luck!

~Writer~