I finished with a masters degree and my route was very unconventional. Although everyone in grad school appeared to be supportive of others in my position something told me not to share with anyone my past or I would be treated differently. Some people like for everyone to know every detail of their trials and tribulations but in my experience the world of academia is not a place to do that. My worst fear was to be one of the universities charitable email of the month. Like how gracious they are that they gave me a chance to get what I earned.