Do people who do PhDs realize that they aren’t worth the time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baffles the mind that someone thinks a terminal degree in any field won't pay more than stopping along the way. A phD in Psychology is not going to have a bachelors in computer science or vice versa and a phD in psychology always makes more money than a bachelors in Psychology.

You’re missing that most master’s degrees are unfunded and that more education means postponing saving for retirement.

What do you mean unfunded? Don’t understand

Having to pay for the degree with your own cash (or student loans). Versus PhD programs that generally don’t charge tuition & pay a stipend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baffles the mind that someone thinks a terminal degree in any field won't pay more than stopping along the way. A phD in Psychology is not going to have a bachelors in computer science or vice versa and a phD in psychology always makes more money than a bachelors in Psychology.

You’re missing that most master’s degrees are unfunded and that more education means postponing saving for retirement.

On the other hand, you are missing the point that for some, the goal is not "postponing saving for retirement." For many, it's a true love of the subject. For others, it's a means to and end. My SIL has 4 degrees, no deblt. Loves what she does. My son, year 2 ugrad, already looking into PhD prgrms in his field.

Great then those people can pay for their degrees themselves & stop begging for student loan forgiveness (lots of people begging for that got useless graduate degrees with loans).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think science ones are worth it.

+1, if you want to do more than be a technician. But PhD students should be open to working outside of academia since the tenure track positions are limited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope, everyone who goes into a PhD program is an idiot.

MYOB.

I do think most are idiots & unemployable in the real world

The real world is an illusion. The only reason exists is because people continue to believe it exists.

I think it better to go deep into something they love and share it with the world.

[Anonymous]

Do it if you love the subject, but know that it’s a terrible financial decision. You could become a nurse or engineer and own at least a condo before the age when most people even finish a PhD program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Great then those people can pay for their degrees themselves & stop begging for student loan forgiveness (lots of people begging for that got useless graduate degrees with loans).

Not really relevant to PhDs, the vast majority of whom are funded and don't have student loans.


While I disagree with OP's premise, I would strongly discourage anyone from a PhD offer that isn't funded. Most PhDs are funded degrees.

[Anonymous]

I know a complete physical idiot with a sociology PhD. I mean she legitimately sounds barely literate and she only makes $40K a year. Her email signature and presumably her driver's license, etc. have doctor on them. She is a joke and everyone ridicules her behind her back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Great then those people can pay for their degrees themselves & stop begging for student loan forgiveness (lots of people begging for that got useless graduate degrees with loans).

Not really relevant to PhDs, the vast majority of whom are funded and don't have student loans.


While I disagree with OP's premise, I would strongly discourage anyone from a PhD offer that isn't funded. Most PhDs are funded degrees.

They may not have loans from the PhD itself, but they likely have loans from undergrad and/or a master’s that they aren’t making a dent in during their PhD program. Interest keeps building up during that time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are a huge waste of time & money. Massive opportunity cost. If you have undergrad student loans, you will have a very difficult time paying them down during a PhD program. People come out at 29 making $60k if they’re lucky, when they could’ve started making that at 22.

The drop-out rate for PhD candidates is high--about 40%.

One reason for this (imo anecdotally) is that you might decide to stop your program after getting a masters degree. Many PhD programs are set-up so that you enter them with a BA or BS and earn the Masters degree as part of the process en route to obtaining the PhD.

[Anonymous]

I’m not really sure who PhDs are aimed at. I had to take out the max student loans just to afford a bachelor’s and I understood that I needed to start earning ASAP. No time to frolic about studying literature or zoology.

[Anonymous]

A PhD is required in my field of research, OP.
You cannot be a Principal Investigator at NIH or any academic institution without one.

Surely you support medical research? The people who study cancer pathways, diabetes and heart disease, Alzheimer’s, etc?

My husband has an MD and a PhD. He uses both for his work.

Research is a labor of love. The goal is not wealth.

Think about that next time you go to the doctor, and benefit from modern medicine and treatments. Think about the combined millions of hours from millions of PhD holders around the world whose efforts have led to bring you actual physical relief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not really sure who PhDs are aimed at. I had to take out the max student loans just to afford a bachelor’s and I understood that I needed to start earning ASAP. No time to frolic about studying literature or zoology.

Google is your friend.

You'll quickly learn no one is frolicking through them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

A PhD is required in my field of research, OP.
You cannot be a Principal Investigator at NIH or any academic institution without one.

Surely you support medical research? The people who study cancer pathways, diabetes and heart disease, Alzheimer’s, etc?

My husband has an MD and a PhD. He uses both for his work.

Research is a labor of love. The goal is not wealth.

Think about that next time you go to the doctor, and benefit from modern medicine and treatments. Think about the combined millions of hours from millions of PhD holders around the world whose efforts have led to bring you actual physical relief.

AMEN!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not really sure who PhDs are aimed at. I had to take out the max student loans just to afford a bachelor’s and I understood that I needed to start earning ASAP. No time to frolic about studying literature or zoology.

Google is your friend.

You'll quickly learn no one is frolicking through them.

They are aimed at rich kids who don’t seem to need money until their late 20s.

[Anonymous]

I wish I had known this before my kid committed to attend a college. I didn't realize I would be paying money for him to be taught by idiots. I guess I could have him self teach himself but good luck finding an academic textbook not written by some PHd idiot who knows the math behind search engine algorithms and wasted his time writing a book to explain it to others instead of raking in the money.