PhD Pros and Cons | 5 pros and cons that you should hear!

Here are the PhD pros and cons that I think you need to be aware of before entering a PhD.
1:37 - Personal growth (PRO)
4:05 - Bad time investment (CON)
6:20 - More open doors (PRO)
8:47 - No money (CON)
10:28 - The Dr title (PRO)
12:05 - Can be overwhelming (CON)
13:55 - Traveling (PRO)
15:05 - No guarantee of job (CON)
17:20 - Tangible skills (PRO)
18:03 - Ego (CON)
What would you add to this list?
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[@chavoux]

One possible Pro is that it can give you the opportunity to do actual research to solve a problem than nobody has solved thus far, which you would not have been able to do otherwise. This was my primary reason for starting a PhD. There was/is simply no funding for independent researchers to tackle some research problems, unless you do it as part of a PhD or academic qualification.

[@kballaro]

"Extreme learning." I LOVE this!

[@Debbie-k4h]

Fantastic discussion on your take on earning a PhD, Andy! As a non-traditional adult learner with 2 master's degrees, you have dispelled and validated many of the myths surrounding a PhD. Thank you for creating such an informative and useful video. I look forward to future videos from you!

[@colleenstuart190]

This is a very good video, Andy. My take away is that it is crucial that you know what you aim to do with your PhD. I will be starting mine soon at the age of 45. I'm already earning very well with my current education, Master of Public Health. I've been part of a team running a large hospital in South Africa for the past 6yrs and it is extremely stressful managing and leading such a large public organisation. So I decided that I cannot continue to do this for the rest of my professional life and so I decided to do PhD in Health Policy and Systems. In that way I will work in a very small team at a Provincial or National level with a great deal more peace, thereby preserving my mental and physical health. I already formulating policy at an organisational and I really enjoy that. I don't need one to progress in my career, so while I complete my PhD I will apply to the position so that I am working in that space during the PhD. The earnings is more than twice my current salary, without a PhD, but I love a challenge and think that earning one would give me great satisfaction as well as a being ahead of most of my future potential colleagues.

[@marceljungling620]

Great content! I would be interested in a video about your PhD work :)

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thanks for the idea! Maybe I'll do one soon! It's now on the list!

[@anggaraadhari1933]

this awesome channel, keep making video on PhD topic sir!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thank you, I will

[@CattleLeek]

Thank you for making such engaging videos! I’ve been binge watching them these past few days and it’s been so intriguing to learn about this niche experience. Your humility and demeanour are amazing and I would definitely want to intern for you if I lived in Australia 😂

[@A_Box]

Can you talk about people who made start ups *based off* their PhD?

[@metalband]

You are the Vsauce of PhD

[@samuelcortinhas4877]

Hey Andy, I've watched a lot of these types of videos and I think yours is simply the highest quality and least biased. I needed to hear a lot of these hard truths. I have a PhD interview tomorrow (applied maths) but I'm pretty sure I won't be accepting an offer if I get one. For me, the cons outweigh the pros - the opportunity cost is just too high as I am happy with where I am at right now. It is not worth risking all of that just for the title of Dr for me personally.

[@DrAndyStapleton]

I'm pleased I was able to help you make a decision. Thanks for watching and best of luck with the interview. It'll be an experience to learn from for sure.

[@jonathan8325]

Hey just wondering, did you end up turning down the offer or taking it?

[@samuelcortinhas4877]

@@jonathan8325 in the end I received an offer but turned it down. I’m happy I made that decision, it worked out well for me

[@jonathan8325]

@@samuelcortinhas4877 thanks for the reply! Interesting to hear. I'm currently finishing up a Master's in software development (1 year), having already obtained a master's in physics (it was an undergrad master's programme, 4 years) and have the choice between a PhD back in physics or a graduate software role with what seems like a really nice company...keep going back and forth...but I'm starting to think part of my reasoning for the PhD is the 'sunk cost' fallacy, seeing as I spent 4 years getting my physics degree

[@sachinbalhara3716]

And the 5th con! True thing I feel! Btw like your videos. Great work!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Awesome! Thank you! The 5th one took a bit of guts to say out loud!

[@sachinbalhara3716]

@@DrAndyStapleton yeah. But I don't think people should feel an ego after PhD.

[@junomaranan1101]

I think you would make an outstanding private Chemistry tutor for college bound students that many Asian parents would pay premium money for. In fact, I bet that starting your own after-school academy would be a lucrative move for someone with your strong science knowledge, skills, abilities, & demeanor.

[@shinwariification]

Great videos.. Iys my third year in PhD and still did not start my writup. I am also doing a job as research assistant in a project if british academy. Its difficult to manage both.

[@sachinbalhara3716]

3rd pro! I like your point.

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thanks, Sachin!

[@sachinbalhara3716]

@@DrAndyStapleton 😁 And the way you were telling that your mom called you and you said Andy who Andy., Im Dr stapleton!. Hhaha. I feel the situation. Hopefully I'll talk the same with my mom.

[@apurbabiswas7218]

Man, I'm supposed to be starting a PhD in Atmospheric Physics and ego in Physics is such a big thing. Lex Fridman mentions it somewhat often too. It's something I want to be aware of, so I don't become ego-ridden myself. How did you overcome your ego? When did you realise it? ( another potential video?) Also, thanks for putting this out there! I'm checking out your startup - looks real cool.

[@OniSMBZ]

Try 'Ego is the Enemy' by Ryan Holiday

[@bfpfantastic2965]

I think the Bible helps

[@ege8240]

​@@bfpfantastic2965this is a place for phd candidates, not fantastic book readings

[@larissacury7714]

Thank you!!

[@vk4471]

Handling difficult tasks smooth way which also pros of Ph.D.

[@TheSnakeEyezz]

"Chicken nugget pizzas" killed me haha Great video 👍

[@tanyamayfield6443]

True story and you can get paid in double checks in full too. Meaning, the companies can pay you double the pay and no, issues. It may not be called PhD in Epidemiology position and I can work as a Certified Cashier at Panera bread and get paid double and still working at KZbin channel and others too. Hey, be grateful and do not complain and be blessed and not stressed. God bless you. Amen. 💕, Mustard.

[@abbiecolosimo3720]

Hi, I’m in my second year of undergrad so along way off, but phds have never really been explained to me, (like the specifics) I think coming from a working class background first one in the family to go to uni etc, would love it if you could do a video on it X

[@DrAndyStapleton]

I'll add that video to the list. Thanks of the suggestion!

[@Aya-fk2qz]

Why u said that Phd doesnt guarentee a job . By Phd we can access to TA jobs (teacher assistant ) and position post-doctorat.

[@ixiladams4275]

Is there a way to do a practice PHD just to see how it will go? 😂 one that is free and not so mentally taxing or time consuming haha

[@wembly8225]

there is, and it's called masters degree

[@frankchen4229]

@@wembly8225 not free tho lol

[@sorenlangston6565]

sorry to be offtopic but does anyone know a way to get back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb lost the account password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me

[@bentonarjun8513]

@Soren Langston instablaster :)

[@sorenlangston6565]

@Benton Arjun Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@augustodutra3839]

Overqualified profissional = somebody who will cost a lot of money and will not bring in that lot of revenue for the company. If having a PhD helps a company make much more profit then the profissioanal becomes instantly extremely cheap and every comapany managed by a smart person will be willing to hire him.

[@adeeldreamer]

After a PhD is there any further requirement of a degree or certification to start a career in Intellectual property? Or you can just directly fit in? TIA

[@DrAndyStapleton]

In Australia you have to do a masters in IP. It may be different in different countries.

[@DeformedBrownie]

Is the 1% number you reference a global study? Or Australian? Thanks!

[@tonysegadelli9421]

Andy I'm looking to do a PhD but I'm an older person (semi-retired). I've recently completed a 2nd Master's Degree and enjoyed the Research Paper. Due to personal reasons I need to do the studying through distance learning, which is possible because there's no lab work however there are obviously other limitations. Have you done a KZbin on PhD studying through distance learning, being a mature student or both?

[@DrAndyStapleton]

I don't have any specific videos about distance learning or being a mature student. I should put something together! I think the distance puts a strain on communication, but with regular (sometimes forced) contact with your supervisor it'll help bridge the gap. Academics are sometimes so busy that if you are not right in front of them they can forget that you are there!

[@tonysegadelli9421]

@@DrAndyStapleton Thanks for your reply. I agree that distance learning can make communication a lot harder. I found this out in my recent Masters where my supervisor disappeared during my Research Paper and it was difficult to find anyone else to turn to

[@gloryfrank6481]

Can a person from Undergraduate study phd for 3 yrs instead of 5 years or does it depend on the field that the person is doing....

[@josh34578]

How does one even start a PhD if one has been out of academia for a long time?

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Talk to potential supervisors and ask what they expect PhD candidates to know/have. Sometimes "real world" experience is just as valuable!

[@daintycaked]

That's around $15,000 american. agh. less than I earned professionally as a social worker!

[@Rainstorm121]

What is the best way to learn skill such as python or matlab coding? Its 2 months now but I cannot feel any positive progress with my learning on coding.

[@frankchen4229]

books, forums, and more time on the editor

[@sheldoncooper0]

you should definitely not call yourself a doctor... Unless you're an actual doctor (so a physician) you shouldn't be using the doctor title.. Anyone in society that thinks of a doctor is not thinking of a philosophy degree....

[@SBphd]

I am shocked how little a Sociology PhD makes teaching college. I make triple the amount doing corporate training.