Natalie

January 4, 2023 | Read time: 7 min

Do You Want a Ph.D., or Do You Want to Brag to Your Relatives at Holidays? Three Questions to Find Out

Martin had always been good at mathematics, and when his undergraduate instructors recommended that he pursue a Ph.D. in the field, he found himself excited at the prospect.

Getting a Ph.D. would elevate his status among friends and relatives. He imagined himself responding to his new title- “Dr. Hermann”- as eager students asked question after question in his popular lectures. He imagined himself accepting awards for research and attending conferences in exotic locations. With these images filling his head, he applied and was thrilled to be accepted into a mathematics Ph.D. program.

But two years into the program, Martin found himself avoiding homework, dodging calls from his advisor, and skipping classes. He spent more and more time playing video games in his bedroom with the window shades drawn and fast food wrappers piling up on the floor beside him. Friends and family expressed concern, but he shrugged them off. He didn’t need their advice.

Finally, when he received notice that he had been put on academic probation, he had to face the truth. The thought of returning to his studies made him want to throw up. He hated what he was researching, and the idea of having to keep doing it filled him with dread. After a semester break, Martin finally admitted that a Ph.D. wasn’t for him and dropped out of the program.

It’s easy to read Martin’s story and think he is the exception. But the truth is, a lot of people pursue a Ph.D. for the title rather than for the research. Moreover, studies estimate that as many as 50% of people who begin a Ph.D. quit their program before they finish. To avoid becoming part of that group, you have to be careful that you aren’t pursuing your Ph.D. for the wrong reasons.

If you just pursue a Ph.D. because you want to brag to your relatives at the holidays, you could easily find yourself in Martin’s shoes. So how can you determine whether you want a Ph.D. for the title or whether you’re genuinely interested in research?

1. What Do You Hope to Change in Your Life?

The first question I always advise asking yourself is, what do you hope to change in your life with a Ph.D.? What do you imagine having a Ph.D. will make possible in your life that isn’t possible now? Some things that a Ph.D. can do for you include:

You can broaden your career opportunities. For many people in fields including academia, research, and non-profit work, having a Ph.D. can open doors that will remain closed otherwise. So if you find yourself feeling frustrated with your career progress or seemingly having hit a dead end that only more education can fix, maybe a Ph.D. is worth considering.
You can broaden your professional network. If you find yourself excited about the prospect of meeting other people who are highly dedicated to in-depth research about a particular topic, a Ph.D. might be right for you.
You can improve your salary. While this can be true, it is highly dependent on your field, what you plan to do after obtaining your Ph.D., your overall career trajectory, and where you are willing to live. Don’t just apply for a Ph.D. assuming that more qualifications equal a bigger salary.

These can all be good reasons to get a Ph.D., but not every Ph.D. will result in a raise, better job opportunities, and a useful expansion of your professional network. So how can you determine if a Ph.D. will help you achieve those goals?

In order to understand if a Ph.D. will be beneficial to your aims, start by doing some research into the graduation prospects of PhDs in the field you plan to enter! If there is a specific program you want to attend, try connecting with graduates of the program you’re considering. If you’re already employed, ask your employer about what a Ph.D. will mean for your future career. Taking these steps will help you clearly understand what having a Ph.D. can (and can’t) change in your life.

2. What Do You Hope to Change in the World?

The second question I advise asking is, what do you hope to change in the world with your Ph.D.?

Do you have a dream of solving a specific problem or investigating a specific area in your subject?
Is there a historical period you want to explore or an inexpensive medicine you hope to develop?
Do you want to be the one to analyze a specific policy and offer a unique take on how to solve a pressing social issue?
Can you imagine yourself researching the same field for years, decades?

If there isn’t something specific that you’re driven to explore, understand, solve, or answer through your research, then a Ph.D. might not be the right path for you.

If you are hoping to climb the career ladder and make more money, and there isn’t a specific thing you want to change with your work, then you should probably consider pursuing your goals through a different avenue.

3. Are You Prepared to Commit to Five Years of Schooling?

Finally, I advise you to ask yourself if you can commit to the amount of time it takes to obtain a Ph.D. It’s not just the five years of school alone that you need to consider. There is the opportunity cost of those years as well. When you pursue a Ph.D., you’re giving up:

(At least) five years of the full-time salary
(At least) five years of experience working in your field
The ability to relocate

Your partner or spouse may also have to give up career opportunities both during and after your Ph.D., depending on what type of career you are pursuing.

While a Ph.D. can open many doors, salaries for Ph.D. students are often very low. Many people who pursue a Ph.D. sacrifice time and career opportunities due to their program requirements.

In addition, you need to consider how deeply you will be invested in research while you do your Ph.D. For example, you may only have a little time to see your friends and family while you are working. In other words, a Ph.D. is not a light commitment and is more than a 9-to-5 job.

If you find yourself hesitant at the prospect of what you’ll be giving up, a Ph.D. may not be right for you.

A Ph.D. can be an excellent opportunity that opens doors, expands your professional network, and allows you to pursue deep research in a field you find important. But it’s also a huge commitment that requires time, effort, and sacrifice. So before you apply, make sure you have the right motivations.