Are you about to complete a graduate degree?
Unsure about your next step to advance your career?
Are you considering pursuing a PhD but not fully confident if it is the right choice for you?
Then keep reading but before we dive in, know what a PhD really is.
“A PhD is the most common degree at the highest academic level, awarded following a course of study and research”.
You must have shadowed a PhD student in their research. Maybe, you designed and executed your own Master’s thesis on your desired topic. Whatever it is has brought you to this ambiguity of whether to pursue a PhD or not. So, here are 5 most key considerations that will help you make a decision.
1. Passion for research
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
This is one of the most (if not the most) important aspect to think about while contemplating a PhD. Try to list down 3 career paths that you would like to pursue after your graduate degree is completed. For example, when I was close to graduating, I had 3 paths that I could take.
Plan A was completing a 6-month dietetic internship, sit for the exam, and get a license for Registered Dietitian (RD). Plan B was to explore some jobs in food service with background in Nutritional Sciences. Plan C was to pursue a PhD, which was the least likely path. Well, at least it seemed like it at the time.
After careful considering, I ultimately decided to pursue a PhD. Wondering why? Although I did not want to begin another degree and get some work experience instead, I had a strong interest in research and did not have a chance to dip my toes into it during my graduate program, which was more dietetics-focused than research-focused.
This was the primary driver for my decision. I can confidently say that my interest to learn more about research has been carrying me through this unique journey. If you are a person who likes learning new things, solving problems, making a difference, and contributing your efforts towards gaining understanding about a particular problem, then pursuing a PhD might be a good option for you.
To make your job easy, I have created a quick worksheet to help you break down your thoughts, and you can simply download it for FREE.
2. Duration of the program
Photo taken from 123rf
It is so important that you think about how ready you are to commit to the program. PhD is usually 3-5 years long, sometimes ever longer, depending on the field of research. Behavioral or public health and policy research takes less time as compared to biomedical/clinical areas of research. However, there is always uncertainty attached to the timeline, something that you don’t realize while applying for the PhD programs.
While I agree that you have to invest your time to move forward in your career, it is prudent to realize that your time is valuable and you should use it wisely. This is not a moment of discouragement but one for a reality check for sure. So, consider the duration of the program and honestly evaluate whether you would be willing to commit the next few years of your life.
Type of jobs after a PhD
Photo taken from 123rf
If you have downloaded my FREE worksheet, you have seen a section for type of jobs after completing a PhD. You might be wondering why I should think about the type of jobs after a PhD when I don’t even know if I am going to apply for it.
Well, it is better to do the hard work before committing to something that you may regret later. Initial search for the type of jobs post PhD in your field of research is crucial to get an overall idea about what job opportunities would look like for you a couple years down the line. Sometimes, it takes some wandering to come to a decision that is best for you.
This process of breaking your thoughts into smaller actions will help you figure out your interests and the type of jobs you see yourself in. There can be two outcomes, either you will find your reason to begin your PhD journey or you will know that you would like to explore other career paths but a PhD. Either way, it is a win-win situation for you. So, do the hard work BEFORE you make a decision.
4. Financial aspects
Photo taken from 123rf
As students, most of us work with tight budgets. If you are an international student, even more so. Regardless, when it comes to PhD, you will benefit from exploring what type of funding source you have access to.
Yes, most PhD programs are funded (fully or partially), you get a stipend for working as a graduate research assistant, however, it can still feel overwhelming and stressful if you begin the program without foreseeing any unanticipated expenses. This can be paying a part of your fees, or insurance, or travel to conferences, or costs related to research activities or even some personal emergency funds. Of course, this will vary by program, but it is still an important aspect to plan ahead of time.
This emphasizes my point even further to DO THE HARD WORK BEFORE and make an informed decision rather than just deciding it on a whim and then regretting and struggling later. Again, your time and peace of mind is important and only you can protect it.
5. Work environment
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Although I was very nervous and unprepared when I started my PhD journey, I don’t regret making that decision because pieces of the puzzle fell in place for me. This might not be everyone’s experience and so, if you are about to pursue it, think about ALL aspects of a PhD and not just research. While research will remain an integral part of the job, you will be working in an academic environment that includes teaching, mentoring and training other graduate students, one-on-one tutoring, and working on projects or experiments that may not lead to your own personal growth.
Working in research and academia takes an immense amount of patience and getting used to an inconsistent pace of how things are moving along. If this sounds like your nightmare, it will be better to explore other career paths that suit your working style and interests. The simplest way to hear about real-life experiences is to reach out. Start with your own school and talk to the doctoral students to find out how their work day or week looks like. This is a great FREE resource to get started and gain insights before you make the decision.
If this information is overwhelming, you can still download my worksheet to help you get started NOW. Sign-up to get notified for new upcoming blogs.
Featured image for this post- Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash