Everybody’s experiences and reasons for getting a PhD and being in graduate school are unique. If one is
sure that pursuing a PhD in a chosen research field is something they want to do right after a Bachelor’s degree, there are
many benefits. However, depending on the career you are interested in after graduation, you don’t always need a PhD degree. If you’re not sure what career you want to pursue, here are some drawbacks to consider with getting a PhD. There is an upward trend of PhD graduates with few academic jobs available (
PhD Factory, Nature 2011). There are arguments that getting a
PhD can ruin your life, people leave
academia because of major flaws in the system, funding to pursue academic research is sparse, and there is the
postdocalypse to avoid. The narrow job market for academics leads to many highly-qualified individuals
taking low-paying adjunct positions. A professor once wrote me an email suggesting that unless I wanted to go into academia, I shouldn’t bother getting a PhD. I once heard someone with PhD comment that they would not wish their experience on anyone. Many people have negative experiences as a graduate student.
On the other hand, at the end of the day, even if you don’t end up pursuing a career in academia, graduating with a PhD has the potential to open doors that wouldn’t ordinarily be there. Having a PhD doesn’t mean you know everything, but it is a demonstration that you
know how to figure something out. If you want a job that values this skill, then a PhD might be right for you. If you feel that you already have these skills, having PhD credentials might mean a higher salary and more open positions to apply for.
What happens if you decide not to get a PhD now, then change your mind and want to go back later?