Why you shouldn't apply for a PhD

Something which didn't come across terribly clearly: People do end up getting money and prestige and power with PhDs, but the point I'm making in this video is that people who make it through PhDs are the people who didn't apply to get those things. They applied for the thing they would be doing during the PhD. Also I don't mean to romanticise what it's like to do a PhD or be a researcher. As I tried to impress at the start, doing a PhD is a colossal grind, and passion alone isn't enough. You need to have grit and determination, and a romantic notion of passion overcoming all is unrealistic. So perhaps a more realistic conclusion for this video is apply if you are passionate AND you are ready to do a whole lot of hard work. More depressing still, yay!

I just want a PhD so all my appointments are Doctor's appointments.

To anyone reading: Don't base a major life decision off this or any other youtube video...

Idk why I'm watching this, I failed secondary school

As a current PhD student, I’m happy I’m obtaining my doctorate degree. Is it challenging? At times did I want to give up? Absolutely! However, it has taught me profound and valuable information and knowledge in regards to infectious diseases in Epidemiology. I am graduating summer 2020 and everything I’ve worked for, is well worth it for me! 💕🙌🏾🤗👩🏾‍🎓👩🏾‍🔬🥂🍾

Already have a poor social life, I was meant for a phd lol.

I am forever thankful I got refused from all the PhDs I applied for. Ended up picking the shortest Master's possible, and left before the research semester when I got offered the job in Malaysia. Managed to finish the thesis while working. University is about learning to learn and getting a piece of paper, most of the skills you learn are on the job. I am not cut out for a PhD

Couple remarks regarding what happens AFTER a PhD for those who want to go into academia. I have a tenure track assistant professor position at a mid sized university. And just to further press the: “know what you’re getting into”, here are a few more remarks: 1.A professor position is almost no different from a PhD: In fact, it’s the same thing, except substitute classes with university service. So no more 3 hour grad classes, but instead gear up for faculty senate meetings! It’s the same job, but with more pay. 2. It’s a lonely job, but it’s also a flexible one: with some exceptions, I don’t have to work any 9-5. I can work from 6-2, take a 5 hour break and work 7-11, or don’t! It’s by no means a cushy job, but it is flexible 3. The travel perks: and there are some great ones, like paid travel. I have conferences in Seattle, Salt Lake City, Boston, Toronto, and Switzerland. I have to pay for some, but my department covers a lot of it too. If you can balance work and play well, you can go to a conference for 3 days and then explore the city at night and take a day away from the conference (again, your schedule). 4. If you are passionate about it, 12 hour days are largely no issue: write about cool stuff, talk to students that find interest in what you do and want to expand their minds, helping a community/school/discipline are all what I get to do, and I love it. When you find success in these things, and you start improving on the process, even some of the more tedious activities become second nature to actually pretty fun 5. Money: in theory, you won’t make a lot of money at base salary level. But if you’re in academia, they’re basically paying you for 9 months salary. That said, if you’re creative, there are other ways to make money during the summer. Summer teaching helped me earn an extra 10k on top of my base salary. And then there’s the real money of academia: consulting. You can develop your own consultation firm for your unique specialty, and this is where an underpaid professor can actually make some serious money. It’s a ton of extra work, but if you’re creative, you can do it. 6. Benefits: not going to be a long section, but the benefits as a professor (at least in my experience) have been pretty solid. State schools can offer many programs regarding things like retirement and health. My 401k has already accrued a significant amount, and the university contributes to the fund. While far from cushy, it is typically a nice system. The PhD is a grueling process, but it’s hardly the end of the journey. Work often, play often, and always persist. The key to finishing your PhD or tenure or anything is to outlast your advisors and continue pressing. I don’t consider myself to be incredibly smart, but I am unreasonably persistent, which is how I think I earned my degree. I wouldn’t want to do it again, but everyday, I am thankful and grateful that i did.

I completed my Ph.D. in 2017. It was the most rewarding experience of my life. Yes, it was challenging; however, it was worth all of the effort.

Im doing my Ph.D. for the love of Physics. Not for money, not for prestige, not for anything except my love for Condensed Matter. People who do Ph.D. for reasons beyond love will always burn out and regret.

It looks like everyone is getting a PhD in the comment section.

I was more passionate about science before my PhD.

It's my only ticket out of Africa so I'm damn well applying for one regardless

“Unfortunately”, I just accepted a position for my PhD. 😊 I’m getting a PhD, because I love to teach people about the human body and I enjoyed my Masters.

My dad did a PhD, cons? He got married at 36 and had me at 38, me being the eldest child 🤷 as to me, I'm not interested in marrying, so I'm gonna do PhD anyway 🤷

Learning something new, doing research in a subject you love is a great thing to do. Enjoy what you study .. enjoy doing PHD.. enjoy doing anything makes you happy and a life. Prove for yourself that you can succeed in doing what you love to do. PhD is a step to the glory. You might save millions with the information you have. People who are higher than us in education, we can learn from them. People who are like us in education, we can have them as friends. People who are below us in education, we can teach them. I am 64 years old, and I feel very young, I finished my MBA from Maastricht University in Holland four years ago. The program was two years, 18 different business subjects, and the thesis was 6 months. Now I am planning to study PhD in Europe or Australia. All, enjoy life .. go for PhD selecting a subject you love .. learn something new.. life is short. Aslan.

I remember watching this when I was in my honours year being like, "I'm sure it's not that bad." I am now months out of finishing my own PhD and I must admit that I stand corrected.

PhD years were the worst years of my life for my mental health. Before doing it just make sure you want to commit.

PhD= permanent head damage

why am i watching this when i’m not even aiming for a Masters degree