Is PhD for you?
True to the name of the blog “Research Reflections” I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on my PhD journey so far. The immediate question that comes to mind “Is PhD for me?”. This is a question that comes up regularly for me, my friends, and fellow PhDs. The answer though, is not straightforward and differs from one person to the next. Therefore, I aim to share my personal opinions (likely super biased) on why someone would want (or not want) to depart on this so-called treacherous journey.
To void any looming suspense, let’s start with the reasons why most people tend not to want to pursue a PhD. This part is directed specifically at those bright-eyed and ambitious people who are considering doing a PhD and need a real perspective on the potential hardships that may accompany such a commitment.
The real (or bad) parts of pursuing a PhD
The (un)balanced life – The biggest challenge for me, is the personal sacrifices that you will inevitably have to make. Most likely, if PhD is your goal, the prestige of the university and the availability of fully funded programs will likely lead you to move away from home. This may not be a big deal to most people, however, the challenge of moving to a new country, making new friends, and potentially having to learn a new language is a daunting one. This typically means you will have to put in a lot more effort in maintaining your social life than was normally the case in your hometown. Even worse this will take up more of the time you could have spent doing what you are there to do, complete your thesis. Let me not even get started on all the administrative requirements to maintain your status in the country. All of this is to say, that doing a thesis is only one part of the PhD journey, and maintaining balance is often considered as wishful thinking.
Imposter syndrome – Likely the most referenced part of any PhD journey is the feeling that you don’t belong or deserve to be in whatever program you got admitted to. Here I aim to be brief since I feel this is a sometimes overhyped, even though very valid, topic of discussion, that is not necessarily limited to the PhD journey but will likely follow you into your roles. For me, and my fellow PhDs I say this. It is no mistake that you got accepted. The admission processes are typically very rigorous and consider all academic and personal considerations for admitting you, a decision they do not make lightly, especially for funded programs. Therefore, if you get accepted, you most likely have what it takes academically, the rest, however, is up to you and how you manage yourself through this journey. That being said, fighting that feeling of imposter syndrome will become increasingly difficult throughout, and it’s crucial to be aware of this and try to actively manage these feelings of illegitimacy. One of the best ways I have seen and experienced is to be sure to share this journey with other PhDs in your department, school, or community.
A lonely journey – The final “bad” part I found (this far) is that the PhD inevitably ends up being a lonely journey. The misconception of being around people does not necessarily alleviate this feeling since a thesis is largely a personal project and people tend to either not share their struggles with fellow PhDs or find it hard to explain and share their experiences with people outside of the PhD program. Even though we are yet to solve this feeling (which I am not convinced is possible), I have observed some things that help. For instance, going to the office or shared spaces with fellow PhDs and sharing more openly your challenges and roadblocks.
Now for the nice part…
The best parts of pursuing a PhD
The actual outcome – So the obvious outcome is that when you complete the PhD it will provide you with a few career trajectories, whether that be industry or academia. In most cases PhD will be a great asset, and of course, having a PhD is a necessity for pursuing a career in academia. Also, if you are like me, another great part is that you will be able to constantly quench your thirst for knowledge (such a cliché I know) and ultimately become an expert in your chosen field. Also, it provides you with the platform, if so desired, to have an impact on the world or at least the small part of the world in which you decided to become an expert.
The friends you make – My number one takeaway so far is the people I have met and the friends that I have made. From being one of my greatest fears in moving abroad to becoming the greatest asset for my PhD, the people I have had the pleasure of meeting have been the highlight of my journey. An international PhD program provides you with the opportunity to meet people across various walks of life, be it different nationalities, cultures, or age groups. These are the relationships you will likely have for many years beyond the PhD program.
Personal growth – Another great takeaway would be the personal growth that accompanies the PhD journey. As likely every PhD student/graduate would attest, a PhD will test your physical, intellectual, and emotional boundaries far beyond what you have ever experienced. From this, you will learn more about yourself, allowing you to separate your real priorities from those that are superficial.
Traveling – Leaving the best for last (for some of you anyway) are the countless opportunities that a PhD provides you to travel and explore different countries, cultures, and languages. Apart from the personal and spontaneous traveling that occurs through meeting new people and making new friends from all around the world, a PhD program typically provides you with opportunities to travel for international seminars, conferences, or collaborations. My list of “official” visits to date includes Germany, France, England, Spain, and Italy.
It’s important to remember that the good and bad parts of a PhD are likely unique to every person. The main takeaways should not be the specific good or bad parts of the PhD journey, but the fact that making such a decision is a huge commitment requiring a lot of introspection and careful consideration. However, the PhD journey for me has been rewarding in so many ways and allowed me to grow more than I ever could have imagined. If you did end up taking the plunge and pursuing your PhD, please feel free to leave a comment and share some of the reasons that made you want to pursue your PhD.