Is a PhD Worth It? Key Reasons to Consider

Thinking of doing a PhD? Pause. Breathe. Do you want a PhD? Or do you want the life that comes with it?

As I see it, there are some practical reasons for doing a PhD. Some of them are:
1. You are a lecturer in a college. You must have a PhD degree to get a promotion, get on to a higher pay scale. Every one of your colleagues has a PhD and you’re the lone survivor without one.

2. You are a lecturer in a college. You must have a doctorate to qualify for the principal’s post in your college. Others are also eyeing that post, and your PhD or lack of it stands in the way. So, you need to finish your PhD ASAP. 

3. You finished your master’s and secretly hope the student life and discounts never end! So, the next logical step seems to be a PhD. Your research guide for your master’s project suggests that you do your PhD under her supervision. It is more like an extension of your studies.

4. You are inclined towards research. You also have an area of interest where you like to conduct research. You like to conduct surveys and/or experiments to answer burning questions in your mind. You opted for research work when it was optional during your masters! And now you have an issue that you would like to find answers to using research method. So, a PhD is an answer.

This is the best reason according to me, for doing a PhD. But even if you belong to groups 1, 2 and 3 – there is good news. You can cultivate that interest and passion towards your topic and do justice to your research.

There are also some other reasons for doing a PhD. 

• To call yourself an expert in a particular field.
• To make your sister-in-law jealous, your grandfather proud, and your ex extremely confused.
• To get that ‘Dr.’ before your name.

If your reasons for doing PhD fall into the second category, then you must understand what a PhD journey entails and whether it is worth it. 

You can become an expert by working in the field for 4-5 years instead of doing a PhD. 

And there are many other ways than an agonizing PhD to make your community proud of you or jealous of you! A PhD is not an emotional weapon! It is a dangerous grenade – it could just fire back on you!

And spending all that time, energy and money to just get that ‘Dr.’ before your name – you need to think if it is worth it. 

And technically, that ‘Dr.’ before your name? It’s more of a social party trick. Medical doctors own the rights. The rest of us are just hoping no one calls us to deliver a baby mid-flight. So it might not be a good idea.

Whatever your reasons are for doing your PhD, it requires a serious commitment from your side to go along with it for a good number of years. If you are still reading this and nodding, good. That means you are not afraid of the truth. You may just be ready.

Still wondering if a PhD is the right next step?

It’s okay to want the title, the pride, the promotion—or even just revenge on your sister-in-law. But once you start, you’ll need more than ambition. You’ll need strategy, support, and someone to keep you from turning that “Dr.” into a disaster.

If you’re serious (or at least seriously curious), let’s talk and we’ll figure out if the PhD life is really for you.