Does life get easier after a PhD? My confessions...

In this video, I share with you how my life changed after getting a PhD and whether or not it has become easier.

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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – introduction
1:16 – not doing a PhD is easier
2:56 – more and fewer career options
4:54 – Dr title
6:50 – being clever burden
8:19 – the future of having a PhD

[mamaguile]

I can’t wait to finish my PhD. I’ve had enough now. Can’t cope with the uncertain path of the research. 3 years of hard work so far and yet I feel like I’m nowhere.

[cardiyansane]

Very informative. Glad to know I’m not the only one who viewed this PhD thing as proof that I am finally clever and worthy of respect

[tiagorodrigues]

I thought that by taking the PHD everything would be easier, that I could find a job quickly.
At the same time that you are overqualified you are inexperienced to work outside the academy and the academy doesn't have room for everyone. No company accepts an "entry level" with a PhD and almost 30 years.
If you are in another country and don't know other researchers you are alone in the world, literally.
If you don't have many publications things become more complicated.
Sometimes I think it was not a good idea to get a PhD.

[Teilnehmer]

I once got into a discussion about quitting my PhD with my supervisor (unintentionally and I was misunderstood in this situation). She actually tried to sell me on the idea that the Dr title is really nice. In hindsight it's very strange that this was her best argument but quite symptomatic of academia.

[paulomenezes]

Currently I'm finishing my phD in biochemistry here in Brazil (thesis defense will be in a few months). At the same time, I'm thinking about the possibility of career transition. In the last years I attended to some statistic and programming classes, and I'm very interested in learning more about it. Well, I don't care about the Dr. tittle, I'm just interested in getting a good job (with stability), and since here in Brazil there is (almost) no industry, and the academic opportunities are too low, right now I think that this is the best path to go. Ty for the video Andy, I love ur contents. Happy new year, cya!!=]

[sirmclovin]

I'm really only doing this so people start taking the science I produce seriously.

[Drganguli]

In fact for most people life gets tougher after PhD with research, teaching, service and particularly the onerous grant writing and getting process

[forthrightgambitia]

FWIW the Dr thing has never been too weird to me, because I went to a grammar school where maybe 7-8 of the (older) teachers had PhDs are were known as Drs. I think this was common in grammar schools (and maybe public schools) in the past and I just caught them at the end of their career as few younger teachers seemed to have the title. From what I gathered, many of them gained these titles whilst working at the school, something that these days probably wouldn't be possible with the amount of bureaucracy outside teaching that they are subject to. Anyway, the consequence of this was that I guess I always had a positive association - many of these teachers were really good and passionate about their subject - and knowledge of the academic title 'Dr.' outside of the context of medical doctors, so for me the whole question of it seemed a little weird.

[anacosta]

Hey! I don't know if you have already made a video about it, but how about doing a simple PhD, simple in such a way that people may not think that you are qualified enough? Thanks!

[Jorisjuh]

I finished my PhD last year and I recognize every single thing you mentioned

[giniwelle]

Pretty honest video. I gained a lot of knowledge...

[shinra]

There’s no point using the Dr title outside of academia. People using it on Twitter for example are just trying to look clever. Having modesty about it is best. No harm having some fun with it though with the family 😆

[dankschang]

"but it doesn't last long..." Yikes that is like a pain in my ass. Irking for the next challenge.

[skeptomenosmonaxos]

Thank you very much for this video. It is very informative . . !

[benharvey]

Hi Andrew,
I can’t find any contact details but there is an issue with a product I purchased from your website, I was hoping to find a solution for it. Please let me know!
Cheers

[dbattalion]

We cant say for sure the mental changes that occur within us, it is not absolute, what that only exists is only physical aspect, mental scenarios are completely hallucinations 👍

[didi]

Not easier. I never show I am a Dr if I have to

[TobiasStarling]

For all the debt, everyone including my mum will be calling me Dr Starling! 😂

[adambushphd]

Academic degrees help you get your first job upon graduation. It's work experience after that. PhD title does pet the ego a bit but no one really cares except you.