Furthering your education may seem like a very appealing option especially if you’re an academic. However, there are a couple of things to consider in order to make an informed decision. Such as finances, job prospects and quality of life. So if you’ve ever wondered about it, here’s what international students need to know about PhDs.
As with every other endeavour, there are pros and cons to getting a PhD. Let’s begin by looking at the pros for international students.
1. New Knowledge
Bagging a doctorate means that you’ve decided to specialize in a particular field of study. Because it entails going deeper, you are able to acquire new information, make new conclusions as well as significant contributions to your field. Here, you conduct intensive research, travel, collaborate and study extensively to discover new things.
2. Access to More Prestigious Jobs
One of the key benefits of a PhD is that it gives you access to careers at the highest levels. This includes leadership positions in certain fields. It also gives you an extra air of authority in your field and an edge over other candidates seeking job placements. Furthermore, you stand a very good chance of earning more depending on the type of job.
3. Superior Writing Skills
One other major advantages of having a PhD is that you would have been able to hon your writing skills. This is particularly important to employers because research has shown that a lot is spent on remedial writing for staff annually. So when a hiring manager sees that you have a doctorate, you become a more likely candidate. This is because you can analyse and organize data as well as present your results in a cohesive and persuasive manner.
4. Soft Skills
As a PhD student, you’ll learn time management skills, focus and problem-solving. You’ll become more patient, adaptable and critical in your thinking. You’ll also learn how to appreciate the point of view of others even if you don’t agree with them. These are some of the qualities employers look for which can help you land your dream job and excel in the same. It’s one key thing international students need to know about PhDs.
Now let’s consider some of the cons of getting a PhD.
1. It’s Expensive
Running an undergraduate program can be quite expensive how much more a doctorate. If you’re sponsoring your education through loans, this could increase the burden of repayment. Nonetheless, some programmes offer tuition assistance in return for teaching or research work. There are also graduate assistant jobs that help with expenses. If you work full time, you can run your PhD on a part-time basis.
2. Lack of valuable Job Experience
Running a PhD often requires students to spend a lot of time studying/researching. This can cause them to lag behind in acquiring the skills needed to further their career. Bear in mind that some careers rely on hands-on skills acquired on the job. Furthering your studies could deny you the opportunity to keep tabs with ever-changing trends in the workplace.
3. Stress
Pursuing a doctorate isn’t as easy as it seems. In reality, it’s extremely demanding, can be stressful, frustrating and even boring in some cases. If you end up with a supervisor who is overly critical or doesn’t give his/her best, it could be frustrating. It is, therefore, advisable that you choose your topic and supervisor carefully so that you can go the whole nine yards. Gleaning on the experiences of current graduates is also important.
4. It can be a lonely Experience
Don’t get excited about the idea of pursuing a doctorate that you forget that it is actually a solitary pursuit. Owing to the fact that your thesis topic is specifically tailored to you, you’ll spend a lot of time alone in research and writing. You’re sure to interact with professors and other students but it’s nothing like your undergrad or post-grad experience.
The pull could be so strong that it could affect your social life and relationships. The intensity of the stress can also affect your health if not managed appropriately. It becomes altogether necessary to create work-life balance to enjoy the best of the experience. This is one of the most important things international students need to know about PhDs.