Rich perhaps my post has seemed bit harsh, in no way was i writing off the idea completly, It is indeed a hell of an undertaking and there are many people at my company who never completed there doctorate, while trying to do them while working. I do know what it entails as have friends doing Phd's at my place of work. The work I do is predominantly research and I have been out at silly times at night in UK as well as in the middle of nowhere in Africa and Asia doing performance investigations of surfaced and unsurfaced roads.

As I said though in my post it needs a careful decison, For you it worked out but I have also observed a negative attitude to Dr's in industry, the guy doesn't actually say what subject he wishes to study in. In addition I remember reading a salary article on the UK and higher salaries weren't always reflected in having a Dr.

If they are not sure - do a masters and see how they get on.

Great minds think alike, but fools seldom differ. (English Proverb)

To the people who don't believe in free speech - stop posting ;)