10 reasons to do a PhD which have nothing to do with research
Right after graduation, I chose to do postgraduate studies, because I didn’t know yet if I wanted to work in industry or academia, and I wanted to keep both options open.
I specialized in one of my favorite applications of mathematics called automated reasoning, which is basically about finding ways to make computers think.
It’s a theoretical branch of computer science, and I knew I probably wouldn’t be learning any practical skills that would benefit me in a software engineering job later on.
The three years that followed were full of self-doubt, and I almost quit a couple of times, but I stuck through till the end, and I’m grateful that I did. Because now that enough time has passed, I can honestly say that doing a PhD was worth it for me.
Although I never expected my research topic of choice to help my career, it ended up doing so in surprising ways. But I also ended up gaining a lot more from the experience that had nothing to do with research or my work domain.
If you’re considering doing a PhD, but wondering if it’s going to be worth it for you, or if you’re contemplating between a career in industry or academia, then this post is for you.
Here are my ten reasons to do a PhD that aren’t directly related to research or work.
1. To work on something that belongs to you
Unlike the work you’re likely to be doing in an industry job, a PhD is yours and yours alone. It’s a unique opportunity to publish something in your voice, with your own name on it, communicating your discoveries, thoughts, and conclusions.
2. To explore a topic you like, without the pressure of deadlines or financial considerations
Doing a PhD gives you the chance to explore a topic of your choice that you’re passionate about, in an environment that’s driven by discovery rather than profit or deadlines.
3. To learn to handle ambiguity
Doing research will help you overcome your fear of open-ended, ambiguous tasks. You’ll learn how to start with a vague idea and convert it into a clear and well-defined problem to solve, and then attempt unique or creative ways to solve this problem . These are skills that’ll probably come in handy in any future job.
4. To develop resilience
If there’s anything that can help you build resilience in the workplace, it’s putting years of effort trying to solve a problem before you even know it’s solvable, and dealing with criticism and rejection when attempting to publish your work.
5. To overcome imposter syndrome
We all feel like imposters sometimes, and it’s easier to feel like that in academia than anywhere else. With so many specializations, and so many research areas within each specialization, it’s easy to feel like you’re in over your head. It can feel like everyone else is smarter than you, like they’re perfectly able to understand the content of every conference talk or research paper, while you are struggling to keep up.
Getting through your PhD can help you overcome that feeling. You will realize that you can contribute something to your field despite all your feelings of self doubt, and that your peers find your contribution valuable, worth reading, and worth discussing.
6. To develop a deeper understanding of the scientific method
Learning to examine your assumptions, to design and conduct experiments, to analyze results, and to derive logical conclusions — these are valuable skills that you will acquire doing research which will benefit you not just in your career outside of academia, but in other areas of life.
7. To become a better writer
Years of writing papers and an entire dissertation will make you a better writer. If you take the opportunity and apply any constructive feedback you get from your supervisor and your peers, you’ll learn how to communicate ideas clearly in writing that is well-structured, accurate, and interesting.
8. To improve your communication skills
Talking about your work is a fundamental part of doing a PhD. Your communication skills will improve significantly as you do presentations in conferences, in front of committees, or to other members of your department.
9. To travel and make friends
University campuses are a great place to meet new people and make friends from different backgrounds and cultures. The years you’ll spend doing your PhD will offer you the chance not just to make friends on campus, but also to travel and attend conferences in different parts of the world, where you will get to connect with other students and researchers.
10. To get tired of academia (or fall in love with it)
If you’re considering a career in academia, a PhD is a good way to find out if it’s the right thing for you. Working in academia is about more than doing research. You may find that you enjoy doing research, but prefer the energy and fast pace of a corporate environment. You may get frustrated with the politics and the tedious processes involved in applying for grants or getting your papers published. A PhD is your chance to either get disillusioned with the academic world, or fall in love with it.
