One way to determine if a PhD is worth it is to evaluate the potential benefits of earning a doctoral degree. Although student experiences can vary, earning a doctorate may offer the following opportunities:
A PhD degree is a terminal degree, indicating that you have attained the highest level of education possible in your chosen field. For many individuals, earning a doctorate is a logical next step in their academic endeavors. They have an educational path laid out, and their academic goals end with earning the final degree. Earning a PhD demonstrates commitment to your field and to your professional practice.
Doctoral programs don’t simply focus on content knowledge, they also provide a new pattern of collaboration with peers, emphasizing critical thinking and communication skills. As learners conduct their own original research, they may utilize leadership skills, empowering learners to examine different leadership styles and work on refining their own practice.
Students may enjoy aspirational value from earning a doctoral degree. Additionally, some may find that the personal growth aspect of a doctoral degree program makes it well worth the effort.
Some teachers who have pursued doctorates have stated they believe that earning this degree has the potential to increase the quality of their teaching, students’ learning outcomes and even school environment.1 The experience of earning a doctorate is unlike any other and teaches doctoral candidates valuable lessons about how to contribute and lead in their field of study.
Inspiration and motivation may also come from your family. You may feel driven to make your loved ones proud of you and your accomplishments. While these personal reasons might not provide the sole motivation for pursuing a doctorate, they may help make the decision easier.
Completing a PhD program can be perceived as a respected accomplishment — and for good reason. Those who earn a PhD have invested considerable time and effort in completing their degree program. Completion is often associated with prestige and credibility, along with a personal sense of accomplishment that comes from reaching the highest level of academic achievement.
Not only can this accomplishment impact you personally, it could also influence your professional life. Many employers value employees who have earned a PhD.2
PhD programs teach transferable skills that can be useful in a broad range of industries and professions. Some examples of transferable skills typically taught in these degree programs include:
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Analytical reasoning
- Presentation
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Data analysis
- Research
In addition, whichever PhD you choose to pursue will teach certain subject-specific proficiencies, depending on your focus. For example, a PhD in General Psychology: Integrating Technology, Learning and Psychology will teach how to incorporate technology into different settings, including the academic world as well as other organizations and communities.
PhD graduates may find that having this degree opens opportunities in fields or positions where having an advanced degree is recommended or required. Some employers prefer to hire PhD graduates for high-level positions, particularly those that involve research.2
It’s a common misconception that a PhD only prepares professionals to enter the world of academia. A PhD can prepare you to enter a profession in any field, depending on the focus of your degree. Although you can still choose to pursue a career as a professor or researcher at a university,3 you may choose to position yourself for a potential higher-level position in your current profession.
For example, with a PhD in humanities, you could position yourself to pursue careers in a variety of professions, such as publishing or grant writing, counseling or civil service. A PhD in data analytics can help prepare you to pursue a variety of business analytics positions or even consulting.4 This is not to say that a PhD is required for these professions, only that acquiring one may increase your credibility when you submit your application.
These are just a few examples of jobs outside academia that you might pursue with a PhD, so take time to research what careers might interest you if you’re looking for a career change with your new degree.
Throughout the process of earning your PhD, you will be collaborating with professors on research efforts and writing your dissertation. Getting to know professors in your current or desired field can be a great opportunity, whether you are looking for a job or not. Networking with professionals is often how people find job opportunities that they wouldn’t have found just looking online, and you may enjoy mentorship opportunities.
You will also have opportunities to build connections with other graduate students in your classes. They may provide a diverse range of perspectives to consider, along with being a source of mutual support. These connections can become part of your professional network and may lead to lifelong relationships.
