The Only Reason You Should Ever Get a PhD
In my last two posts, I’ve been discussing the possibility of going back to grad school as well as some of the reasons for not doing so. In this post, I’m going to tell you why it’s a good idea. In my opinion, there’s only one good reason why anyone should ever go through the effort of getting an advanced degree.
I should qualify this post by saying that I’m talking here about getting an advanced degree in the sciences. There are professions, like being a doctor, where getting an advanced degree is a requirement. I’m not talking about those. For some people contemplating a career in science, the time after getting a bachelor’s degree becomes a period of decision about whether to continue on with your education or stop there and get a job.
I faced that decision after getting my B.A. in physics. I struggled with my priorities and finally decided that I would not continue with my education, rather I would get take a technical support job in astronomy.
I never regretted that decision. It turned out to be the correct one for me as I was able to not only make satisfying contributions to solar research, I made a respectable salary along the way.
Now, I’m at another decision point. I have begun to reach the top of my particular career ladder and I am considering returning to university for that PhD. Since I’m a blogger, I’m kind of going through this decision process online with the hope that others can help me by offering insights or maybe just by reading this, someone else can benefit.
I think many people start out thinking that an advanced degree is necessary to become an important contributor to science; they may also feel like it’s the only way to get a decent paying job or to make a lasting difference in a career.
I’ve learned that nothing could be further from the truth. As I’ve already mentioned in my last post, there are plenty of PhD’s who don’t have a lot to offer science. There are also many examples of people with no advanced degree who’ve made quite significant contributions. A PhD by itself doesn’t make you remarkable.
So, what is it? Why should a person get a PhD? When I asked my friends and mentors this question, the responses were all the same.
“Don’t get a PhD for money, recognition, prestige, or a job”, I was repeatedly told. “There’s only one reason ANYONE should go through the trouble of getting a PhD.”
“What is it?”, I asked.
“Get a PhD because you want one.”
I couldn’t agree more. The journey towards a PhD should be what matters most. Learning what you need to know to become a good discoverer-of-things should be it’s own reward.
You should do it because you love learning, because you MUST know more about the universe. You should get a PhD because you want to satisfy a longing to find out the nature of things and tell others what you found.
There’s plenty of ways of getting money, fame and power - not all of them (or even most of them) require any PhD.
I’ve already achieved many of the goals people set for themselves: decent income, good job, interesting work, and I did it without an advanced degree. Now, I’m asking myself if I want to go further.
Do I want a PhD?
I’ll let you know…
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POSTED IN: about me, astronomy education
14 opinions for The Only Reason You Should Ever Get a PhD
Joseph "Jake" Bannon
Apr 14, 2007 at 7:00 pm
I am a fan of your videos. On some of them I did notice you making it quite clear that I should let you know if there was anything in particular I would like to see. Well there is. I view your videos via youtube and would like very much if you posted a 10-12 minute video on the oceans of other planets. Include any Images of these planetary oceans and fully explain the substances of which they are composed. If no oceans have yet been found speak of possibilities while still using the astronomy images.
julie
Apr 16, 2007 at 7:23 am
Dr. Tony…paging Dr. Darnell…
I totally support the idea of you getting a Phd.
You’d sure look great in a labcoat, uh-huh. You churning out some research and maybe writing a book…yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ bout. HOT. hey, how you doin’ hot stuff? ;)
Beau
Apr 18, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Tony - After reading this post, my immediate feeling was that you really do want the Phd. You have obviously put a lot of thought into it, which to me, is an indicator that you want to do it. There is something else floating around in your head that is giving you second thoughts though. Whether you know exactly what that thing is or not, I don’t know…but it is the important thing here. If it wasn’t you would be enrolled in classes. Figure out what is giving you pause, and you’ll have your answer.
Just my take on the situation - take it or leave it
Beau
carlos
Apr 27, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Hi,
Ran into this article today, and I think I went through something similar. After graduating from College I went after a Masters as a stepping stone towards my Phd. While there I realized that I did not need a Phd to accomplish my goals in life.
As a side note, a couple of friends followed me and got their Masters and eventually got the Phds.
Gary
May 6, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Hello,
I happened upon your three posts regarding the merits of pursuing a Ph.D. later in life. I was doing a Google search on the key words “graduate education in 40s”.
I’m in a similar situation as you except that I am about to finish my B.S. in my early 40s. I returned to school to finish the B.S. because I decided I wanted a Ph.D. I went through much of the decision process that you have gone through and find myself in a very similar set of circumstances. But the reason is the same… I want it.
Follow your heart. If you do nothing with the Ph.D., so what. Education is one of the few things that can never be taken away.
Gary
Hsien Lei
May 13, 2007 at 6:43 am
Whatever you decide to do, Tony. I’m sure you’ll be a star. ;) :)
Corey
Jul 2, 2007 at 2:41 pm
This is what I knew to be the answer in my gut a couple of years ago. I was walking across campus at 32 years of age, having just started out on my bachelor degree, and I was so happy to be learning and doing well… I just knew I didn’t want it to end when I had my B.Sc.
Two years further in, all the advanced Math done, gearing up for the advanced Physics, and I still know it down in my gut. It isn’t the PhD per se, it’s the studying to GET the PhD that I crave. I want to learn more. I want to show mastery over a specialty that excites me. I can think of a half-dozen Physics specialties off the top of my head that I would like to spend 10 years working on.
But… I have no interest whatsoever in teaching. I keep reading “tenure-track” and frankly I usually skip anything after that point. I want to work. I want to build things. I want to invent things. I want to be part of a start-up that makes a billion dollars. I want to start my own companies. I’m about as far from tenure-track as you can get without being a bum.
So I am slightly worried that the time I spend on a PhD in Physics may not be the most effective thing I could do. But I know I *want* to spend the time and learn the stuff and achieve that goal. So screw the opportunity costs. I’m doing it.
Pauline
Aug 10, 2007 at 10:02 am
“The journey towards a PhD should be what matters most.”
Couldn’t agree more! Even if means in the end, you don’t end up obtaining that PhD, it’s the discovery that matters. For some people, it’s the discovery of new knowledge in the subject, for some (like me) it’s the discovery of my own self!
It’s the learning of how far you can push yourself, a measure of your own intellectual limit(I like learning) and motivation… If I don’t get it, fair play, I’ve tried. If I end up with being a Doc, then, that’s the icing on the cake.
I do think many people should realise that no-one should ever embark on the PhD journey for fame and fortune reasons. It is a recognition of your contribution to knowledge and practice. Not a ticket for being a millionaire!
Through out my PhD-to-be-years, I’ve done things that I’ve never thought I’d do, teach, presented in front of many-many people, travelled, meeting amazing people. I doubt if I will succeed in obtaining the highest qualification. But in my mind, I haven’t failed. Every single day until I finish the course, has been a success in itself. I am getting something out of this, even though the end is near, whatever the ending will be.
Good luck to all…! :)
Vic
Aug 17, 2007 at 8:28 am
Sounds like a typical mid-life crisis issue to me…. Maybe just get a cognitive psychologist for a chat. After all, that’s what they are for.
Andrea
Oct 18, 2007 at 10:33 pm
My husband is getting his PhD and it is the hardest thing we have ever done! The ONLY reason we are doing this is because he loves it! I think that someone (especially if they are married) HAS TO think about making a lot of money afterward because it will put you into a LOT of debt! We have avoided credit card debt in the 3 years that we have done this, but our student loans are great! But, he will be making between $90,000 and $120,000 to start as a psychomatrician (a statistician who creates tests). If it weren’t for this I would not have done this. It is SOOOOOO hard! We live off of $26,000 a year, I do not have health insurance and our two kids must have Medicaid. I only spend money on food and gas to drive the car. I do not get hair cuts but twice a year, we rely on hand me downs and we literally go to the park for fun on the weekends. If it weren’t for the library and parks I would go insane! We live in a townhome and my husband takes the bus to school (for free because he is a student). My car is 10 years old, is rusting, but drives! We make it, but boy is it hard. We are in our forth year and sometimes I think we will never see the light at the end of the tunnel. I thought I knew how to trust in God, but really I mostly have just ha d to trust myself all my life. Now, I am really being put to the test. Our marriage, everything. I hope it is all worth it.
David
Mar 27, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Don’t do it. PhDs ruin lives. Going for a PhD was the worst decision I ever made, not only will it not give you an advantage, it will actually give you a disadvantage. PhD programs are snake oil, they only want to use you as cheap slave labor to do the work they don’t want to, and then discard you into a job market that is impossible. Unless you want to waste 5-7 years of your life doing b**ch work for someone else and then get a big middle finger from the world afterward for your trouble, don’t do it.
Michael
May 11, 2008 at 6:58 am
I say do it and love it. Do it because you want it. I found this site because I was looking for this exact discussion on “why get a PhD in Physics” in order to get ideas for the question I have to answer for my application. Here at 47 years old I want to go back to collect my PhD. I graduate with a BS in Physics in 95 and immediately started working in the sciences (acoustics and vibration). Then after about a month felt so challenged that I went back for a Masters. Both working and going to school was turned out to be the best time in my life. I didn’t complete my Masters Thesis but the credentials put me into positions like solid state physics, mems, and avionics. I’m now writing software and make well over 80K. I’m permanent on my job, it’s not hard and I know that now is the time for me to get back in and study again. Just like my Masters, weather I complete it or not…it’s the journey towards it that counts. I will get the PhD thought! Good luck
Queru
Nov 26, 2008 at 9:14 am
For most people getting a PhD will multiply their opportunities and develop their potential. If it did not happened is because they did not do the PhD correctly.
Queru
Nov 26, 2008 at 9:17 am
Also, the reasoning used by the Tony is used by many people to argue that you do not need to go to college or even high school. Again, I think that the more degrees you get, the more opportunities you have and the more developed your potential is.
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