4 reasons people do a PhD even though it is hard
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- In this video, I share with you the reasons people do a PhD even though it is really hard!
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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - introduction
0:53 - the challenge
2:08 - because they need one for their career progression
3:16 - they love the subject
4:50 - visa and travel reasons
6:46 - outro
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I've always been an academic person and always thought I'd like to do a phd. When I tell people I'm doing a phd 'because I want to?', they find it really hard to understand that I'm not doing it for some end like a job, money, success etc. I just want to prove to myself I can do it, end of! Not everything has to be for a tangible result other than just saying "cool, I did that!". I'm really interested in the subject I'm doing, I'm even self-funded, but if im honest im only doing it because I want to see if I can..
same here, I'm in a high paying full time professional job so I'm doing it just to proof to myself that I can do it. 🙂
I love how honest he is! You're a gem Andy, keep it up!
I love what I do as a social epidemiologist because my research is advancing health equity.
My biggest reason to do a PhD is to study and living in another country too, it would be really nice if you could do a video about building relationships as you said in the 4th reason. Btw thank you for this amazing video!
From my experience international students in the UK tend to exist in a sort of parallel world. It varies by city but typically a sort of triangle emerges of {uni, accom, tesco/asda/chinese minimarket}.
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your perspective. I always learn a lot from your videos.
Your point: Doing a PhD where it is necassary for a career progression makes a lot of sense.
However, I would like to add 2 more motivations to go through a PhD grind, especially, in 3rd decade of 21st century.
I think data can provide us a glimpse into real motivations of people going for the PhD.
1. Local enrollment rates dropping in developed countires. Numbers of international PhD aspirants are rising drastically each year. To consider proportions, you can look at the NSF survey of PhDs in the US and other PhD surveys in UK or Australia.
This may means PhD aspirants actually are immigration aspirants.
3. Obliviousness regarding post-PhD market value. This may nudge a PhD aspirant to exhaust the golden years of life on a very specific topic (while suffering academic hierarchy). The evidence of this can be found in (a) high attrition PhD rates as well as (b) PhD students surveys (especially with some anonymity confidence) e.g., Nature PhD surveys.
Great video Andy!
Let's split it down!
I do the research because I love the subject (The Monkees).
I do the research because I want my subject to become a topic for future academic research.
I do the research because I thrive on the stimulation of learning.
But I'm doing a PhD because all my life, people have asked me 'Is it Miss or Mrs?' And I soooo want to reply....'well, actually, it's.....'
Sooo shallow...lololol!
Your line of research seems amazing! I would like to read your publications because I love The Monkees. I'm an engineer, but I have a soft spot for research about music (I did some ethnomusicology study as an undergrad in Okinawa though :) )
Hillarious Jan- so I'm not the only person doing this for the Dr title?????
Hey there…after my very niche position of over 20 yrs was eliminated at the start of the pandemic, I was in a really bad place until one of my colleagues reminded me that I had always talked about getting my PhD. Since I was in the social science/research field, loved a challenge, and also loved digging deep into the “whys” of the world, I decided to make the jump. I felt there was a lot more to do in my field and personally, I just wasn’t done yet. I’m about 1 1/2 yrs into my program now, and there have been so many ups and downs…I have repeated the question “Whose idea was this anyway?” about a million times. But, there are two things I found out about myself that keep me going. I do love to learn…a lot! And I do love my topic…I turned my passion into my (broad) research topic and am in the process of forming my focused area of inquiry. So what started as a reaction to a really tough situation has now turned into a labor of love. I’m very thankful that I came across your channel - what a great wealth of information and support.
The people i knew who dropped out of their PhD were the ones who didn’t have a solid reason for doing it, even though they were capable. There are some long dark lonely nights in a PhD (particularly if you’re lab-based) and there has to be some motivation to keep you going. Why slog away for three years if you don’t have to? I did mine because i wanted to be an academic (more fool me!) Silliest reason i ever heard was “because i want to be called Dr”
Phd in Cosmology was always a dream for me. Even though I get irregular stipends I really enjoy working in cosmology.
Wanting to learn how to think more clearly. One of my lecturers (now late) was very good at thinking though & articulating issues across a wide array of subjects. I'd want to follow in his footsteps and help others do the same in future.
Thanks for the videos you produce.
I'm doing a phd for finding a well paid job in another country so I can help my parents move from my country,
another thing I've got a scholarship which is helping me to cover the expenses of PhD that I can't afford it in my country,
I wish your channel can be a place that we could find some people to collaborate in research, thank you for your hard work and nice videos
Thanks for this video, I loved chemistry so much that attempted a PhD at USC. No matter how much you love something, if you do not have a good support system, you will not do well.
Totally agree!
The first three reasons you listed were my motivations to pursue my PhD. My passion for the project and lack of research in my area was what helped me overcome particularly gnarly sports during the process and propelled me over the finish line. As always, great video and an incredible resource for prospective postgrad students
I'm no.1. I want to pursue a DBA but I only got a pass on my MBA (missed out on credit by a small fraction) so I'm doing a 2nd Master of Economics with the intention to pursue a DBA of economics eventually. I'm a full time working professional (have been for 15 years) and have always been an average student, but over the years as I excelled at work and continued to proof my potential, I learned to realize that what I lack in brains I can make up for in hard work. I want to do the DBA to proof that I can do it, and though I know it will be hard I believe I can do it if I apply myself. I don't expect to make ground breaking discoveries or to wow the socks off my assessors. My goal is simple, to pass the DBA and proof to myself that I'm more than just an average student. I don't intend to go into teaching as I love working in the corporate world, there is more challenge for me there and I don't think I can handle full time research work. I may change my view in a few years but right now, I'm very happy with where I am.
This is a great video!
For me, the main reasons I am doing my PhD are because I actually love a challenge and I love my research area! These two keep me going, among other reasons.
I got into this crazy thing for reasons 1 and 4...
I would have loved to have this and your videos on why not to do it when I started. I might have still done it, but at least I would have gone into it with eyes open.
I'm in the 'because they love the subject' camp. I think it's hard to justify doing a PhD in equine science (horses) without loving it as it's not a well-known or particularly advanced field. It also is unlikely to lead to more money career-wise. However, I am so excited to have this opportunity and I am looking forward to being able to dive deeply into my passion.
I did my Master's because I wanted to study abroad and during that time I fell in love with my subject and am now one of those rare people who actually chose the PhD route because of this. It does not hurt, though, that the Master's also showed me that I enjoy reading academic output. I know that the PhD will most likely never help me in my career, since I do not plan on staying in academia, but it won't hurt to have it either. And yes, this does lead to funny looks from others whenever I mention that I do the PhD for the fun of it and because I love my subject area.
Perhaps this falls under passion, but for me I wanted to improve humanity and science seemed like the best way to do that (and medicinal chemistry has a direct impact). The longer I’m involved in research the more I begin to doubt now true that notion is, but it was a big factor. I think we all want to improve humanity and move the needle on life in some way
For me, it has always been my goal to carry on my studies to the end so I would say that Ilike challenge + I like the subject that I m working on. also I love experiencing new things.
I was asked to consider it by my undergraduate supervisor and I must admit, I was flattered. Then, the idea of it became something like the ultimate challenge in my mind. So I decided to give it a shot.
Initially I decided to take the phD because my Asian parents told me to. However, my supevisor gave me a new topic which aspires me to continue with the course in the long run
Same story as me
"Asian parents" should actually be a tickable box.
If I get the option of doing a PHD, I'm probably staying put. And that purely for financial reasons, Dutch PHD students are employees of the university, and therefore get paid for their work. Something that doesn't really happen abroad. (To my knowledge anyway)
For me, all those reasons are valid, but the 3rd one is definitely the most important.
Thanks for the great content as always. However, I think since you are from a very developed country like UK or Australia where the income is much higher than another third world country your view may limit to some point, so just want to give you a look at another side of the spectrum, as people like me monthly support from a Ph.D. funding (tax-free) in Japan is already triple what I could earn in my homeland, besides in developing country there's always be an open position for a Ph.D. at any University as its lack of human resource in academia and the salary is much higher than say a master's degree. People don't want to do Ph.D. in my country because it is hard, not because it is a penniless job or the labor market is saturated. But I do agree with the visa situation of academia, a lot of my friend use it as a way to reside in a more developed country.
Thank you for the different perspective.
I feel like, more often than not, I don't really know why I'm doing my PhD (one of the reasons the title of this video attracted me was the idea that I might actually find my reason here!). I do enjoy science and learning, the prospects of travel and meeting new and interesting people excited me and I think I do like a challenge! But perhaps the main reason was that it seemed like I was following a path already laid out for me. A path of least resistance. It sounded like a good idea at the time. Looking back, I'm not too sure it was the right one to follow... However, I don't think starting at the beginning of a pandemic helps grow a strong love for research. I think I'm still here in the hope I'll enjoy it more as time goes on. I often think of dropping it and pursuing a different path, one I'll enjoy more or at least one which is less stressful. Though maybe hardship is an unavoidable part of life, be it big or small. Maybe thats why I'm still at it.
I'm not sure where I'm going with this comment or why I started writting it (I'm seeing a parallel to my PhD here!) but maybe someone else will relate and maybe they'll be glad to read that someone else shares how they feel. I'm very grateful for people like Andrew who share their experiences and give whatever tips they have; it's really helped me get through my studies thus far!
I think many are just scared of the unknown of the real world. Business is actually much less scary than academia, the people really WANT you, they don't have social interaction issues, and travel is seen as a "would you be willing to..." rather than "it's a perk".
I did it because I didn't want to be another person working in a company with just a paycheque, eat sleep and repeat. I wanted to challenge myself, and whilst I have gotten immense annoyances and heartaches through it, it was worth it for me. I know it isnt for everyone, and I wouldnt recommend it everyone.
I didn't do it because of career prospects (although it did provide me with it) I wanted to do it ...because I wanted to see what it was like to be following in the steps of the natural philosophers of old.
I'm stressed to hell just putting my scholarship application together - I think the actual PhD might just break me. 😬
Greetings from Mexico!
Hi Andy,
I have a master degree right now and working full-time in a university project. Do you recommend pursuing PhD while working full time? Thank you for your videos!!!!
I am doing my DBA during the pandemic... suddenly find ample time...need to something worthwhile.
I had a PhD interview last Wednesday from York uni. UK, does anyone know how long it will take to hear back from them? It’s so emotionally exhausting while waiting
I am the type of person who eagerly wants to do PhD abroad, and I do have a passion for a specific field (in biology). I have reached out to many supervisors submitted several applications but, until now I haven't found success. Some say to me it is way too challenging. To stand out in an application, one needs to have a unique profile which I don't quite understand. Honestly, the process can be frustrating and disheartening. Any tips you can give Andy would be much appreciated.
I have some videos on my channel about PhD applications and proposals. Let me know if there a gap I need to fill to help you out!
@@DrAndyStapleton Do you do one-on-one sessions via zoom call or other platforms? I would be happy to talk to you about PhD applications abroad and get advice, guidance and orientation from you. Thanks
I am about to complete it, the main driver? Prestige.
I'm not planning to do a PhD to be called Dr. and for the honor, but rather to have a rewarding and meaningful experience, to be surrounded by and work with like-minded people who share similar interests. I definitely want to be a scientist and my interests are more scientific in nature.
If you do a PhD you're, by definition, not in your right mind
If you think you're not crazy, the first few months will prove you you're wrong 😅
To understand neuroscience to a better degree
1st comment 👍
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