If you found your way to this article, chances are you are unsure if you want to study for a PhD degree. This is normal – a PhD is a significant commitment.
To make your life easier, I list here 8 reasons why you should do a PhD, and 8 reasons not to. Take a look at it, and see where you stand. Let’s go.
Reasons To Get a PhD, and Not To
| Yea | Nay |
|---|---|
| Shows Expertise | Takes A Lot Of Time |
| Develops Your Research Skills | Brings Financial Strain |
| Contributes to Knowledge | May Cause Career Uncertainty |
| Expands Your Professional Network | Messes Up Work-Life Balance |
| Helps With Career Path & Job Prospects | Becoming Too Focused |
| Get To Teach and Mentor | Comes With Opportunity Cost |
| Gives You Global Perspectives | Poses Mental Health Risks |
| Exemplifies Lifelong Learning | Diminishing Returns |
Yea – A PhD Degree Shows Expertise
Earning a PhD showcases unparalleled expertise in your field, marking you as one of the world’s leading authorities.
This doctoral journey transforms you, deeply immersing you in research skills and original exploration.
As a PhD student, you collaborate closely with your supervisor, often on a PhD project that pushes the boundaries of knowledge. It’s worth noting, the path isn’t just about the dissertation.
Many PhD holders find their career prospects enhanced, not just in academia but also outside, where a doctorate signals top-tier problem-solving and analytical skills.
Yea – A PhD Program Develops Your Research Skills
Pursuing a PhD equips you with unparalleled research skills, vital for many career paths, not just within academia.
During your PhD journey, you’ll tackle original research that often extends the boundaries of your field. This process involves not just working in the lab or pouring over computational data but also learning how to frame questions that push forward the understanding of complex subjects.
Many PhD students find themselves collaborating closely with their supervisors, diving deep into their chosen research area. It’s a rigorous process, requiring you to think carefully and critically, often leading to insights that may be the first of their kind.
These skills are highly valued, not just in academic positions but also in industries keen on innovation.
Yea – A PhD Student Contributes to Knowledge
Getting a PhD is not just an academic pursuit; it’s a commitment to advancing knowledge.
PhD students usually work on a specific research project that often challenges and extends the current boundaries of their field.
This contribution to knowledge isn’t confined to dusty theses that sit on university shelves. Instead, these discoveries often lead to real-world applications, influencing everything from policy to technology.
Consider a PhD in materials science, where your work might uncover new sustainable materials, or a computational PhD, where your algorithms could revolutionize data analysis.
It’s about pushing the envelope, with each dissertation adding a unique piece to the vast puzzle of human understanding.
Yea – Getting A PhD Expands Your Professional Network
As a PhD student, you’ll collaborate closely with your supervisor, a key figure who often introduces you to a broader network of academics and professionals. You will also meet influencers and future colleagues in:
- conferences,
- seminars, and
- research collaborations
Many PhD holders recall these networking opportunities as pivotal moments in their careers. The relationships forged during these years often lead to collaborations, job prospects, and even lifelong friendships.
It’s not just about the people you meet; it’s about joining a community of thinkers and innovators, making your PhD period an enriching chapter in your professional life.
Yea – Getting A PhD Helps With Career Path & Job Prospects
Earning a doctorate can significantly shape your career path and enhance job prospects. This is not just about academia or aiming to become a professor; many PhD holders find rewarding careers outside of universities.
In STEM fields, a doctorate may open doors to leading roles in research and development within the tech industry, where your deep knowledge and research skills are in high demand.
Similarly, in fields like materials science, doctorates are sought after for their ability to innovate and drive new technologies. The rigorous research experience, problem-solving skills, and discipline you gain are valued across various sectors, including:
- higher education,
- research institutes, and even in
- policy-making roles.
Pursuing a PhD is a strategic move for those interested in positions that require high levels of expertise and analytical abilities, offering a broader range of opportunities than what might be available with just an undergraduate degree or a master’s degree.
Yea – Doctorates Get To Teach and Mentor
In academia, many PhD holders find fulfillment in shaping the minds of the next generation, guiding undergrad and grad students through their academic and research challenges.
The mentorship aspect goes beyond formal teaching; it involves:
- advising students on their career paths,
- helping them navigate the complexities of their projects, and
- inspiring them to push the boundaries of their understanding.
For those passionate about their subject and wanting to make a difference in students’ lives, a doctorate offers the perfect platform to transition into roles that combine research with teaching.
This dual role enriches both the mentor’s and the mentees’ experience, creating a dynamic learning environment where ideas flourish and innovations are born.
Yea – PhD Degree Gives You Global Perspectives
Pursuing a PhD can open up a world of global perspectives, enriching your academic and personal life.
Many doctorate students collaborate with international research groups, bringing diverse viewpoints to their projects.
This exposure to different cultures and methodologies enhances your ability to think globally and work across cultural boundaries.
It’s not uncommon for doctorates to attend conferences worldwide, presenting their research and networking with peers from various backgrounds.
Such experiences are invaluable, offering insights into global challenges and innovations.
Whether you’re in a STEM PhD program, exploring computational models, or delving into social sciences, the doctoral journey encourages a broadened outlook, preparing you for a career that transcends geographical and disciplinary limits.
This global engagement not only broadens academic horizons but also opens up a multitude of international job prospects, making the pursuit of a PhD a gateway to a truly global career.
Yea – Exemplifies Lifelong Learning
A PhD program is a testament to the commitment to lifelong learning. Beyond the mastery of a specific subject, it cultivates a mindset geared towards continuous inquiry and adaptation.
Doctorate students often find themselves at the forefront of their fields, tasked with answering complex questions that require not just depth but a breadth of knowledge.
This process inherently involves:
- learning new methodologies,
- technologies, and
- theoretical frameworks,
often leading to interdisciplinary exploration.
The journey doesn’t end with a doctoral degree; many PhD holders continue to engage with new research, technologies, and teaching methodologies throughout their careers.
This ethos of lifelong learning is what makes doctorates valuable in rapidly evolving fields, as they are adept at navigating the unknown and are equipped with the skills to learn and adapt continuously.
Nay – Getting Your PhD Takes A Lot Of Time
Deciding to pursue a PhD is a significant life decision that demands a substantial time commitment. For many, this involves dedicating four or more years to deep, concentrated study and research.
This duration can be even longer in some fields, where the path from grad school to earning your doctoral degree stretches beyond the initial estimate.
During this period, PhD students often find themselves immersed in their dissertation, spending countless hours in the lab or poring over:
- data,
- reports and
- literature.
It’s a period of intense focus, where personal sacrifices are common.
Balancing this commitment with other life responsibilities can be challenging. You want to think carefully about whether dedicating such a significant portion of your life to a PhD aligns with your broader career goals and personal circumstances.
Nay – Brings Financial Strain
Studying for a PhD can pose a significant financial challenge. Many PhD students rely on stipends that often cover just the basics, making it a tight squeeze, especially in cities with high living costs.
The financial strain doesn’t end there. Unlike peers who start careers after undergrad or master’s degrees, PhD students may forego several years of potential earnings.
This opportunity cost, coupled with limited job prospects in some academic fields, prompts a hard look at the financial implications of a doctorate. While some fields may offer lucrative postdoc positions, this is not the case across the board.
Nay – May Cause Career Uncertainty
Venturing into a PhD program comes with its share of career uncertainties. Despite the advanced knowledge and research skills gained, the academic job market is notoriously competitive, with tenure-track positions being particularly elusive.
This reality means many PhD holders may need to consider careers outside their initial research area or academia altogether.
While a PhD can open doors to various roles in industry, government, and non-profits, these transitions may not always align with the original career goals envisioned at the start of the PhD journey.
Nay – PhD Messes Up Work-Life Balance
Diving into a PhD program can significantly tilt the scales away from a balanced life. Many PhD students find themselves engrossed in their research, with the lines between work and personal time often blurred.
This intensive commitment can strain relationships and personal well-being, as the demands of a doctoral degree don’t always confine themselves to the typical nine-to-five schedule.
It’s not uncommon for students to spend evenings or weekends in the lab or hunched over their computers, working on things like:
- analyzing data,
- reading literature, or
- writing their dissertation.
The years dedicated to earning a PhD require a level of dedication that, for many, becomes all-consuming, leaving little room for other aspects of life.
Nay – May Narrow Down Your Specialization
Opting for a doctorate often means delving deep into a niche subject area, which can lead to an extremely narrow specialization.
While becoming one of the world’s leading experts in a specific topic has its allure, it can also limit job prospects outside of that narrow academic or research focus.
Many PhD graduates find themselves overly specialized for broader industry roles, where a more varied skill set is valued.
This hyper-specialization can be particularly challenging in fields where industry demand fluctuates or is limited.
For instance, a PhD focused on a very specific computational model in materials science may struggle to find relevance in positions outside of their narrow research area.
It’s a critical point for you to think about when considering a PhD: while it positions you at the forefront of research, it may also confine your expertise too tightly, impacting future career flexibility.
Nay – Comes With Opportunity Cost
Pursuing a doctorate involves significant opportunity costs, a crucial aspect for anyone considering this path.
While immersed in academia, many PhD students watch as their peers advance in industry, climbing the career ladder and increasing their earnings.
The time spent in a PhD program—often four years or more—could have been used to gain valuable industry experience, contributing to professional growth and financial stability.
For some, the trade-off includes delaying personal milestones like home ownership or starting a family.
Nay – Mental Health Risks
The pursuit of a PhD is not just an academic challenge; it’s a test of mental endurance. Many PhD students experience significant stress, often stemming from:
- high expectations,
- competitive environments, and
- the pressure to publish.
This intense focus can lead to isolation, exacerbating feelings of anxiety and depression.
The relationship with a supervisor, critical to a PhD student’s success, can also be a source of stress if expectations are misaligned.
It’s essential to acknowledge these risks and seek support systems, both within academia and in personal circles.
While the PhD journey can be incredibly rewarding, consider carefully its potential impact on mental well-being and ensure there are adequate coping mechanisms and support networks in place.
Nay – A PhD Degree Now Has Diminishing Returns
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, the once clear advantages of holding a PhD are becoming less pronounced, leading to discussions about its diminishing returns.
As the number of PhD holders rises, the academic job market has become increasingly saturated, making tenure-track positions scarce and highly competitive.
Additionally, in some industries, the specialized knowledge and skills acquired during a PhD may not translate into a commensurate increase in salary or job opportunities compared to those with a master’s degree.
This shift has prompted many to reevaluate the traditional assumption that a PhD is the best path for career advancement. Perhaps you may feel the same after exploring your options.
Unsure Whether A PhD Suits You? Do More Research
Deciding whether to pursue a doctorate involves weighing the potential for deep expertise and vast opportunities against significant challenges.
It’s a path of intense dedication, offering unparalleled research skills and global networks but also demanding substantial time, financial commitment, and personal sacrifice. Which means, your decision should align with your career goals, personal resilience, and life circumstances.
As you deliberate, consider if the rewards of this rigorous academic journey outweigh the inherent risks and costs.
Dr. JW Ong holds academic degrees, including a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from universities in New Zealand, Malaysia, and the UK. He started PhDPursuits.com as a way to share the experience he wish he would have had known before embarking on his PhD.