<t>Thanks, Nig, for the insight into things to look out for before taking the PhD plunge.You've also given me some food for thought on perhaps looking into the analyst route. I may try doing some research just for myself to see whether there's any hope. Of course, I won't have access to company exec...

<t>Is thaaaaat who that is!!! I just used the picture because I envy his top and fenders. I'd have a 'do like that in a sec if I had any hair.It's actually not so much the job as the chance to study math properly that I'd be most interested in. My undergrad days were wasted doing most of my thinking...

Oops, sorry about wasting the screen real estate -- wrong button.Thanks, Bladerunner, for your words of encouragement. I hope your wife is as understanding as mine -- she really doesn't mind me sitting at the breakfast table reading Rudin.And thanks, Guy, for your insight! Regards,Mike

<t>Within the next few weeks, I will be selling my share of the reasonably successful IT services company I helped found -- the segment here in Australia is consolidating, and, although asset prices are low, the deal is cash rather than some vastly overrated shares and implausible options.This won't...