Why you (probably) shouldn't do a PhD

For most people, doing a PhD is a terrible idea.

Now I’m not saying that nobody should do a PhD- for some people it’s exactly the right path and I strongly believe in the value of academic research. But a lot of PhD students do it for the wrong reasons, without really understanding what they’re getting into, and they suffer as a result.

So why is it such a bad idea for most people? And who should do a PhD?

0:00 Introduction
0:30 Why is a PhD such a bad idea for most people?
3:24 The worst reason to do a PhD: Validation
6:49 A PhD can be a wonderful experience, but who should do it?

[iabhisekdas]

I think why doing a PhD is a schizophrenic experience...sometimes PhD people take pride in it and talk about humanity but forget how to talk to human s.

[florisalexandrou]

So in summary, the pay is bad and in terms of income, you lose in the long-term compared to plenty of industrial positions. It's very difficult to get an academic position and doing a Ph.D. is super hard and stressful. There are a lot of risks and your success partly depends on external factors such as your supervisor and colleagues. If there are other ways to get some of the benefits of a Ph.D. without the stress, ultimately, why would anyone do it?

[preciousamaechi]

I’m doing a PhD in materials engineering (wool biocomposites) and I must say that I have no regrets. Of course I’ve been lost and bewildered one too many times. Of course they push me to points where I think I can’t even do it. But these supervisors of mine push me with kindness, with smiles on their faces, with arms opened wide.
Every Tuesday, we hold meetings; myself, my director of studies, and two other supervisors. All they want is to simply teach me!
I’m learning a lot, I’m growing, and I’m glad to be here in England studying.

[weevilknievel]

Oh man, thanks so much for being a resource. I'm a first year in Ecology & Evolution, and you've brought up so many points that help with my perspective. I found your channel when I searched for overcoming writer's block on a paper for one of my courses. Sincerely, thank you.

[augustodutra]

I will start my PhD in September and I have filtered out some well ranked Universities after checking out the "Rate my professor" website page of my possible supervisors.

[ratnanirupama]

Thank you...Please make a video on dealing with anxieties and panic attacks.. Off late I have been facing these issues very frequently due to a constant worry about my future. I regularly workout and meditate which is helping me to deal with it to a certain extent. But it would be very kind of you if you could elaborate more on such issues. Thank you.

[keegster]

I’m hoping to finish a master’s, then a scientific job in industry. But if that doesn’t allow me to do the subject of research I’m looking for, then I’ll have to get a PhD after that. But I’m hoping I can publish papers etc. after a master’s which seems theoretically possible, but then I’m not sure why people don’t generally do that. I’m going to start working on a couple papers next year (second year of master’s). I’ll be done with required classes by then

[azkcm]

Is there any system that protects PhD candidates from having a problematic supervisor? For example, any ways to make complaints? Or complaints would not help but make the relationship gets worse?

[jrb]

Interesting video, I'm a history gradute and I'm honestly planning to do my PhD because I can't find any good jobs, at least if 4 more years with an scholarship not having to be thinking about money

[bulldogmadhav]

I have been considering doing a PhD and am at the end of my undergrad but everything online and everyone I talk to makes it sound like it’s a terrible decision that will ruin my life. I’m really interested in my subject and enjoyed learning/working in my undergraduate lab but am also just indecisive and seeing people online seem to always regret it makes me wonder if anyone should ever do a PhD


I wish making life choices could be easy :((

[JohnHoganArtist]

I come from a working class background, I was homeless at 15. I always knew I was intelligent enough, I also knew I was an artist. I am pursuing a PHD because I want to achieve the highest academic achievement possible. I love my art (painting) and so I wish to accomplish the highest standards. (practice based phd) I love my subject. I love to write, and solve problems. I wish to achieve teacher status.(i know i would make a good teacher)There are also many other personal reasons. I will complete my phd, because I have set myself the challenge, and I never loose a challenge. I am under no illusions regarding employment prospects afterwards, but at least I will have the opportunity to try. PHD's in the uk are now funded by the government, so there is no excuse not to complete one.

[bruhhhh]

i did a research masters degree in sociolinguistics and i loved every second of it, even if i sometimes struggled mentally.

now i work a full time events planning job and i miss lingusitics research so much. there's something amazing about all the independence i got to work on research papers and my thesis. i absolutely loved the problem solving aspect of it.

now at my job, i constantly struggle to see any worth in what i am doing. it feels awful to only partially use my brain, it feels like it's rotting. i still read research papers in my free time

i would love to do a phd but i'm still not sure it's the right path for me– but at the same time im not sure any other job would make me feel as inspired as research does

[wrbl]

Holy sht… I wish I saw this video 4 years ago before starting. Now I am on my final year with terrible mental health with the thought of dropping out everyday…

[vanslyf]

What if you want a research job in big tech and they keep filtering you out because you don't have a phd?

[HCho-xecj]

Thank you for this video!

I'm getting into my second year of PhD course and I realized I don't want to do it anymore. So, I'm thinking of quitting and preparing for transition into industry, but I'm struggling because I have no idea how I can start preparing. Do you have any advice for the person like me?

[trevoryingwane]

Great insights and wisdom. PhD or aimply any that one pursue should be based on pure interest that reo validation. After all it is vanity

[olindblo]

Is wanting to get ANY income for the pleasure of teaching and doing research a good enough reason? A PhD just happens to be a requirement for those jobs. I would love to teach and research every day for the rest of my life. But getting paid enough to have food on the table and a roof over my head is all I would ask for, just so I can do what I love.

[ismailhaggag]

Given the problems in academia such as "publish or perish" and too many administrative works. As a young aspiring student who wants to work on big problems in theoretical physics, should he be in an academic environment pursuing masters, PhD ..etc? if the student only cares about doing science, not the academic position or the degree.
Would it be better to self-study and maybe seek a local advisor without enrolling in a university? or it is more advisable to work with highly successful professors abroad maybe in PhD program?
Anyway, thank u so much for the video.

[xiaolinli]

Thank you for the video. What if I am genuinely interested in doing the work even though I may not in the end get the certificate, but I am sensitive to criticism and can temporarily disengage when I feel disheartened?

[meharihabtemariam]

Doing PhD is the most amazing thing ever that happened to me.