pakandi, I guess you have to choose between being an academician or a professional. If you want to be an academician and a professor, go, join PHD in some A+ University. Remember, there is no use doing a PHD from a average University. Its better if you dont do. Else if you like the software industry and like being a professional, then be creative and dont just get stuck to coding like Indians do. May be you are interested in business of your own, or outsourcing or project management or an architect. So be clear about what is the job that would make you happy. I am into J2EE too, and I just looooove it.