Should You Get a PhD??? | Reasons to Apply to PhD Programs (OR NOT)

Are you trying to decide whether you should get a PhD? Applying to graduate school or applying to PhD programs specifically can be an important decision! This video covers reasons to get a PhD and reasons not to get a PhD. I've been heavily involved in the PhD admissions process for our program in Information Science (which is similar in many ways to a PhD in Computer Science), and after reading many personal statements and statements of purpose, one thing I always ask myself is: Are they doing this for the right reasons? (Or should you, for example, be getting a masters degree instead - or just getting a higher paying job immediately?!)

Spoilers: Academic job market! How much money do PhDs make! How much academic writing do grad students do! How many words was your dissertation! What kinds of jobs can you get with a PhD! How is a PhD different than undergrad? Though these topics all just get touched on, so let me know where I should do deep dives. :)

00:00 Welcome!
01:26 Bad Reason #1 You're good at school.
02:36 Bad Reason #2 You don't know what else to do.
03:23 Bad Reason #3 You want to make money.
05:26 Bad Reason #4 You want prestige.
07:52 Good Reason #1 You want to be a professor.
09:12 Good Reason #2 You love academic writing.
10:27 Good Reason #3 You want to add new knowledge to the world.
11:15 Good Reason #4 You want a research career.

RELEVANT LINKS

Find Me

+ CREDITS +

[chewilliams]

I'm so relieved to know that my reasons for applying are good ones! I love writing. I want to teach and have enjoyed when I've been a guest speaker or presented at conferences, and I want to be an expert on a specific topic. I'm feeling better about my interview for a doctoral program next week.

[erios]

Thank you for your insights. As a first generation student this is super helpful.

[tuantra]

Thank you for your sharing, Dr. Fiesler. I do not usually put comments on videos but I just want to share that I believe the decision / desire to do a PhD could hit people at different points of life. If it were me 10 years ago watching the video, I would opt for a Master instead of PhD if I (which I did). But as I have built up my professional experience and meeting managers, colleagues, mentors, now I have 2 of the good reasons mentioned in the video to pursue a PhD. I am trying to apply for a PhD this year and I have been getting imposter syndrome, feeling inferior to other successful applicants that I know.
Your video has actually given me more confidence to continue this journey of application.

[yuwenlu]

I feel the only way to know if you’re interested in research & getting a PhD is by doing it. Reach out to the professors and try a few projects, that’s how I knew I’d like to do a PhD :)

[SupportSquirrel]

Would really love the title and I have 2 Masters degrees (1 is a general MS in Information Systems and the other is more focused in CyberSecurity) but after watching this I can see that even though I WANT a PhD I don't have good reasons FOR getting one. Was nice to hear all of it from someone who has lived it AND can put it clearly.

[seaboldpreschool]

Thank you for this video! I am at the height of a 23 year career as an Early Childhood Educator and am nearing the end of my MEd program of which I am thoroughly enjoying. I returned to school late in my career because my kids are off furthering their education and I finally have the time. Even though I am nearing retirement age, I am inspired by my current studies to pursue my own research and make a positive impact in the field I have devoted my life to. I think I will continue my studies thanks to your wise counsel for I am in it for all the right reasons!

[lindsayt.]

This was the most cheerful reckoning! Wishing luck to all the research and writing hungry individuals out there.

[Trapping_ackbar]

I’m a freshman in college and I’m really considering a PhD in Neuroscience or Evolutionary Psychology, thankfully my reasons are good, by your metrics at least. One of the main reasons is that I want to surround myself in the research literature because it’s fascinating and there’s some cutting edge stuff regarding the brain. I’d also love to communicate that knowledge to the general population, because so many people are interested in those fields but they don’t have access to the ivory towers of the university’s or it’s too difficult to understand. I definitely want to write a book but podcasts seem to be the new wave for communicating ideas. Thanks for the video!

[bleeploughly]

This was a very helpful video, thanks so much for taking the time to make it. Honestly every single point you’ve mentioned about bad reasons to get a PhD are reasons I’ve considered. For my career path a PhD isn’t necessary but I’m glad I watched this video, definitely getting my masters instead.

[CaseyFieslerPhD]

Thanks for watching! Let me know what you think and what questions you have!

[doubledouble]

You're a cool professor! I hope I can meet a cool prospective supervisor and get accepted to the PhD program that I'm interested in

[Arteyra]

Hey Casey! I'm from Brazil. I'll aplly at the end of the year. Your videos help me a lot. Thank you! 🤓

[pallavis]

Hey. I was a little confused about my reason to apply for a Phd program but after watching this video i so relieved to know that i have all the right reason to go for a phd. Thanks a ton.😊

[tamrujad.]

Thank you! This is the best and most comprehensive vdo on internet. Preparing my PhD application now. X

[pianist]

This is soooo honest!!
Btw, regarding the stipend, here in India, the Govt pays a huge stipend for PhD fellows which is almost double the average public salary.

[hsin-yuchen]

Thank you Casey! As a student now struggling to pursue a PhD or not, it helps a lot! ☺️

[DonnellWrites]

Thank you for this video! About to finish my MA in May and was thinking about next steps. 💞 First of my generation and I want to make my family proud. But that’s not reason enough.

[ragibshahriar]

My god, you are so fun to watch. Thank you so much for helping with a fun mood.

[avaabderezaei]

Thank you for your videos. They were really helpful. Now I am more excited to get a Ph.D. :D

[LESTR]

I’m not quite finished with my bachelor’s, or even entirely sure what I want to do, but this is still very helpful! Thanks