In this modern day and age we are so consumed by our own rapidly moving life that we forget to take a step back and see the real picture of what is the task at hand and where we started and how did I get here? So welcome to your PhD program. After taking plenty of courses, cramming and finishing your qualifiers, and finally you are ready to publish some papers with your advisor. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel but there is this huge barrier called the thesis! How do you get over it! Do I just jump and hope that I get through, or do I climb one step at a time. These are some of the hurdles that every graduate student may face when it comes to successfully defending your PhD. This lecture will take a step back and explore the whole idea behind earning a PhD degree in engineering or sciences. The questions that we will ask and answer are: What does it mean to earn a PhD? How will this transform you as a person? How will this lead you into the path of discovery and learning all your life? Dr. Panchapakesan earned a PhD in mechanical engineering from University of Maryland in 2001. He has published more than 30 papers in the area of micro and nanotechnology. Dr. McNamara earned a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002. His research interests are in the fields of MEMS and microelectronics.