Was My PhD Worth It? Reflecting 3 Years After Graduation

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I’m Amina, an academic-turned-entrepreneur. I share content that will inspire, educate and help you reach your full potential. I juggle motherhood, academia and productivity & you can find it all here on my channel. I am a PhD holder in Cancer and Cell Biology from University College London and run The Page Doctor, an academic proofreading company. I also founded Wyaves, a social media agency that helps educational content creators turn their passion into profit and propel companies through their social media strategy. With the rise in AI and academia, I have been sharing ways to use AI ethically in the intersection of artificial intelligence and education. Most of all, I'm passionate about helping individuals make space for everything that is important to them & on this channel, I share my productivity hacks that will help you change your life.

[davidfrancis]

I will be getting my Ph.D in watching YouTube videos soon...

[OntologyofValue]

So well said! PhD is almost never "worth it" in every single aspect. And it doesn't matter all that much what you learned during your PhD but rather, what you do with it.

[jahipalmer]

I am (as is another commentator) going into my third year of self-funded Ph.D. studies. I'm almost done with my courses and will soon be taking my comprehensive exam and then getting this dissertation done. The only reason it is worth it to me (regardless of what happens after I complete it) is that I feel that my life wouldn't be complete with out it. i want to learn the most I can about a subject and get the degree that says I did it. I want the title. I know that sounds like a stupid reason to spend sooo much money and study much (oh goodness soo much studying) but for me it motivates me to put down the video games, stay home from social events and WORK.

[mateasrsen]

I kind of started my PhD already knowing I won't be an academic one day that has her own lab. But I still enjoy doing research and could imagine myself doing cool experiments for max 5 more years. I saw PhD also as an opportunity to build additional soft skills, as you've mentioned, and I would like to end up in a "random" career that involves either teaching or mentoring, coaching in academia, because my favourite part of studying has always been interacting and helping other students. But let's see. It's far ahead :)

[WriterNinja]

You'd be a wonderful teacher, lecturer. I feel like you do that here, in so many ways. Thank you for sharing these parts of your journey over the years. Wonderful video.

[UKEducatedLady]

I'm just going into my third year of my Ph.D. It's a self-funded Ph.D. and a labour of pure love, so it's just about personal happiness, and it's worth it!

[andy-nfji]

Last year I remember asking you for Ph.D. application interview tips. This week I heard positive news. It is exciting. At the same time, I am feeling nervous wondering if I am ready. You have been an inspiration. Thank you for the video.

[Nosuperjuicey]

Amina your education journey sounds so exciting, pleased to see all the fruits of your labor

[sielthesnail]

As someone who is only doing honours, this is an eye opener for me. It gives me hope that I don't necessarily have to do further study to get my dream job. So thankful I've found your channel. Your videos are always on point 👌

[SuperKwame]

HI My sister! There is no value puts on obtaining education! what you obtained in the program is priceless !

[joylm]

That was your best decision and choice at the time you made that decision. But it lead you to a different path. Your experiences shape you to make "better" decision moving forward. There will always be a "what if" with whatever decision we make. So I personally believe you made the right choice given the information and knowledge had at that time.

[callistusgero]

Thank you for your insightful perspective. I am in the 2nd year of my PhD and its amazing to see how I have transitioned from aspiring for academia positions post PhD to learning about so many other careers for PhD graduates in industry. As to whether it is worth it, for me it is, because upon completion it will help be get an automatic 3year visa to continue staying in the UK and looking for work.

[skodakatja]

I think it is amazing that you as an actual teacher are engaging in the education policies! This way you can really have an impact on many many students. Since you have mentioned your teaching job many times on this channel and since you seem to be really passionate about it I would love it if you made a (some) video(s) about teaching as a profession (to maybe share some tips, talk about your experience, explain what it means to be a good teacher according to your experience and research). Thank you!

[Deedee-quor]

Thank you Dr. Amina for this great feedback. It is also great to hear that universities are putting in effort to have such a really lecturers position which are lacking. Hopefully, universities will also figure out a better stable system for all these great minds they are thriving to form!

[isra]

I've only done my MSc but I can relate since I also work in academia where I teach high school students. I'm not gonna lie trying to get back to the field as an engineer and only fitting the "entry-level" requirements makes me worry and feel as if I wasted my time teaching. yet I remember that teaching allowed me to get my degree and the deep connections that I made with my students who occasionally come back and talk to me about their university choices that were inspired by me is heartwarming. The personal skills I had to learn to become a teacher, dealing with stress, and many different types of teenage students surely shaped my personality and I am so gratefull. It's not always about the subject related or technical skills, there is much more to it and God put you there for a reason.

[andrew]

I have my PhD. I'd argue that expanding your mind is always worth it. Focusing on the destination is a dangerous way of framing one's happiness.

[merdekaagussaputra]

Dear Dr. Amira thank you for making awesome videos. They help me a lot to prepare my PhD interview. With your guide I finally become a PhD candidate in Germany. Again, thank you.

[astrajolierdo]

My parents have always wanted me to study medicine. But I opted to follow a research career just because I truly enjoyed my first ever lab experience. I just finished my MSc recently and will begin my PhD this October. To be honest, sometimes I wonder if choosing medicine would have been the best option for me, but at the time, I just could not see myself being stuck studying my ass off. I wanted to do something more exciting, which research provided. In the future, I want to start my own biotech company, and I hope that my PhD would provide the training for this goal :)

[jm]

as a phd student who struggled with a lot of doubt around academia and my focus and passion around education (policy :)) this was so valuable for me - thank you so very much! <3

[dychejs]

Thank you for promoting the idea of teaching with a PhD. Here in USA there are “teaching professors” where lectures are primary responsibility. Research is also expected but if you aren’t really into teaching then it’d be a bad gig. But if you are lecture oriented, it is great.