Ok, I thought I'd pitch this question out there. I know that there are a lot of post-docs, researchers and students that have or are studying for Phds, DBA, DScs or similar and I am interested in your perspective on their value to your career (promotion, marketability, advantage or disadvantage) assuming that you do not intend spending your life purely in academic or theoretical research.

I am most interested in the Swiss, German or other European viewpoint although constrasts with the US perception would be interesting.

As I am wavering on the edge so to speak, and coming from a commercial background I'm interested in hearing anyone's experience...it represents years of late nights which could (or rather would) otherwise be spend nursing colourful drinks and generating relaxing melodies....

dave