Doctoral degree students fund their graduate education in a variety of ways, such as through tuition waivers and stipends from their schools or with outside scholarships. However, not every PhD student will be fully or even partially funded; this makes it necessary for them to earn their PhD while continuing to work.
Additionally, many people decide to return to school to earn a PhD after spending a few years working in their industry. For these students, the idea of resigning from their positions to return to school on a full-time basis may be a bittersweet pill to swallow. The dual issues of finances and employment raise an important question: Is it possible to earn a PhD while working?
The short answer is: Yes, it’s possible—and many people have done it. However, it can also be quite complicated. After all, balancing so many significant commitments can be a bit stressful. If you’re thinking about earning your PhD while holding down a job, you’ll need to do some careful planning and have sustained motivation to finish your degree.
Before you make the commitment to enroll in a doctoral program, you should consider several factors:
- How long will it take you to finish a PhD in your desired field? Note that degrees in some subject areas typically take longer than others.
- Do you have a strong social support network in place?
- Do you want to work full time and be a full-time PhD student? Or will you work full time and be a part-time PhD student?
It’s important to embark on this journey with your eyes open. Yes, it’s going to be challenging. But if you keep reminding yourself of your reasons for pursuing a PhD, you’ll find that it’s easier to continue pushing forward.
