Well PC30, I  agree with you. But We should move according to time says. Right now Recession is hitting the nation and its good news that guys from Lamar University are getting the job in this period which is more important than thinking for future or PHD. Even people from very good universities are not getting the job even in civil engineering.

And for the PHD, you have many choices. As far as I know, right now, experience is more important than the degree both for the phd and future. If you have good experience and knowledge, you will get phd from good university and for the experience you should get the job. Its a chicken and egg problem.

So its your decision where you want to go! Good Luck anyways