Reply to Started my PHD and parents think I’m making a mistake

Forum Index » College and University Discussion

Reply to "Started my PHD and parents think I’m making a mistake "

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am a PhD physicist.  My experience is based on my own life.

First, getting a PhD is hard work.  I don't care what the field is.

Second, the PhD is expensive -- unless you get an assistantship with a stipend (in the sciences, they are universal; I suspect they are somewhat more competitive in the humanities.

Third, the Return on Investment for a self funded phd is not there.

Fourth, PhD requiring jobs in the social science are rare.

But, if it is your passion, in the end, you may end up with a job that is fulfilling.  In my case, I have a well paying job  (200K @55 yo) that is fun (for me).[/quote]

I know all you boomers who went to grad school 30 years ago are well-intentioned, but you MUST stop giving this advice. There is no “may” anymore. OP *will not ever* get a tenure track job. She will be living hand to mouth as an adjunct for the rest of her life. This goes far beyond “the return on investment isn’t there”, it’s  “utterly financially ruinous”.[/quote]

PP here.  I do not have a tenure track job.  And I am not a boomer.  And it is easier to get a tenure track position in my field than it was when I got my Doctorate.  There were two positions nationwide. Two.  Today there are a few dozen.  Still, it is a hard road to go.  There are, however, non-university research positions, at least in my field.  I use my education every day; one of my customer's refers to me as a magic worker; I correct him and say it is the physics.

I gave 4 reasons not to, and one reason to pursue it.  [/quote]

Oh, and the key thing is not to go into debt -- if you have to borrow, you are digging a hole you will never crawl out of.  You should only consider a grad degree if you have a stipend that covers living expenses and a tuition waiver.  There are still costs: the stipend was much lower than my income would have been: about 1/3.  By now, I am ahead.  [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics