The worst reasons to do a PhD | Trade secrets

In this video, I go over all of the worst reasons to do a PhD and the trade secrets that you need to know to make sure that you are making the right decision for you.
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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - introduction
0:26 - prestige
1:44 - happiness
3:24 - romantic ideas
4:53 - money
6:37 - the path of least resistance
9:18 - everyone else is
11:00 - outro

[@REAAX]

Magnificent beard of peace and prosperity

[@scoobydont]

Thanks for this video! Incredible timing. I just said no to a PhD scholarship today because I was feeling pressured into it and didn't really think I wanted to do it. Feels really bittersweet to give that up, but also I know I'm really burnt out and exhausted after my Master's and a PhD would probably break my brain right now 😩

[@samsoumasousa1273]

I am in your situation as well what field of study ?

[@scoobydont]

@@samsoumasousa1273 I'm in Industrial/Organisational Psychology. Really tough decision to make, I hope you can work through it and figure out the best path for you 🙏

[@Renfrovarietychannel]

I did my PhD to spite those who said I couldn't... I defend in a few days... It was probably a good choice.

[@claytonallard]

Hi Andy, I've never commented on one of your videos, but I've been watching many of your videos about getting a PhD since I am potentially going into a PhD program this fall without knowing what I want to do for my career. I know I at least want to get a master's in either Statistics or Computer Science. However, I'm currently in the position right now where I'm debating about whether to pursue a master's or PhD. I initially planned on just applying to master's programs since I didn't want to do an extra 5 years of school. Then my research advisor talked me into going for the PhD and dropping out with a master's after a couple years. His argument was that PhD's are usually always fully funded while master's are usually not. I was essentially told that schools have a cash cow scheme where they make a fortune off of master's students which in turn can be used to fund PhD students. I did some research and found that you could drop out with a master's in the PhD program to avoid paying for the degree, but it is a bit of a controversial thing that is looked down upon by many since a school (or even advisor) is giving you money and taking a chance on you in the hopes that you will contribute to research. This seemed a bit sketchy/risky to me, but I did start to think a lot about the possibility of actually getting a PhD. With hearing so many different things and having so many different perspectives to consider, I ultimately decided to apply to both master's and PhD programs. The thing is, I genuinely enjoy Statistics and Computer Science. I enjoy learning these topics on a deep level and I always go out of my way to learn more. I just know I don't want to be in academia and I'm not sure yet if I'll want a PhD for industry, but quite a few people at my workplace have been telling me that their PhD was absolutely worth it and essential for their position. It made me think that maybe I will end up wanting to do something that requires a PhD later on. I've always been told that you can always go back later when you know you need it, but it is sooooo much harder to do later in your life when you have a family, been out of school, need to get letters of recommendation from faculty who haven't seen you in years, and (potentially) need to do the GRE grind again. I am much more capable of it now as a 21 year old than I will be under these future circumstances. The main advise my professors and advisors have been telling me is to go into the PhD program, give it a fair try, and if I decide it's not for me then just settle for a master's. This seems to be the most reasonable approach right now. The crazy thing is, I went to visit one of the schools I got into and got to talk with the faculty member that I was interested in working with. I was totally honest with him about my dilemma and he basically said he'd be happy to work with me if I decide I want to do research, but if I just want a master's he literally approved of me entering the program to master out. I don't plan on going into the PhD program just to master out, but as my professors told me, I at least have a way out if I don't want the PhD anymore. The dilemma is that I also ended up getting accepted into master's programs I was NOT expecting to get into. I have offers from top schools like UC Berkeley Statistics and Carnegie Mellon CS that I could go to for 1-2 years, but are both upwards of $50000 to contribute to their cash cow scheme. It is very tempting to say yes to those schools though. I am also waiting to hear back from a master's program that is funded which is also one of my top choices (not as prestigious as Berkeley or CMU but very solid). With a month left to make my decision, I ultimately think I will end up taking the advise from my professors to enter the PhD program, but it is definitely not a confirmed decision yet. Curious what your thoughts are.

[@larissacury7714]

Thanks, Andy!

[@anjalijha6913]

I am in my Final semester of MS in organic chemistry, thank you for this!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

You're very welcome!

[@lucilius121212]

Two major reasons in my country to do a PhD: 1° I had good grades (often it is easier to get scholarships for a PhD with good grades). Having good grades during your bachelor or master does not mean you are an ideal PhD candidate. Many of those students get asked by professors to do a PhD and many just do it.... often in combination with reason 2° I did not really have any other plans/ideas about alternatives. There are way too many students who just do the PhD because they don't see themselves 'going to work' yet (in industry). I have seen so many PhD students passing by who just did the PhD because of the PhD. They did not even care much about it, were not up to speed with the field, did not have a general interest in it.... It amazes me. And it becomes even worse: some of them even got to better/higher positions that the better PhD students just because of good grades effects still in play during a PhD.

[@AlphaNumeric123]

Any recommendations for people who watch this video and realise they’ve started for all of the wrong reasons?

[@lenithemonster7119]

I started for those bad reasons and after 3,5 years I know I will never finish. I would recomend to take your masters degree on the market and try to find a decent job with it. Anyway, thats what I'm doing.

[@Teilnehmer]

Assuming you are getting paid for your PhD: do the minimum amount of work possible that will keep you from getting fired (if you have a part time contract, only work the actual amount of time you are being paid for) and use the rest of your time to build skills that make you more employable in an area where you actually enjoy most of the of the tasks you would be doing. Also, really try to picture what the daily tasks of the jobs you want to pursue are REALLY like, try to imagine it in the most realistic way possible. Get down into the nitty, gritty of each day, each hour and so on. If you got this far, your ability to learn new material and skills should be high enough so that you can build highly employable skills within a few months - depending on the area you want to be in of course. Also, if you can get in the mindset of seeing the PhD as a weird, relatively relaxed job where you work on creating very detailed and rigorous fantasy worlds, that might help. Treat it in the same way you would any other job, nothing more, nothing less. If you still want to quit, then you can do that easily. If you want to continue working on the PhD go in eyes wide open: the PhD qualification basically just means that someone can give you money and leave you in a lab or office alone for a few years and you will create something that passes some arbitrary scientific standards. That's a skill that's practically useless anywhere else. The PhD qualification itself is not worth it and if you don't have any other area that your PhD helps you grow in it's wasted time.

[@Drganguli]

The prestige which comes from the PhD is ephemeral

[@Drganguli]

@2010cyberguy Yes, but you can't get academic jobs without a PhD. So for Professors it is crucial.

[@sunway1374]

@@Drganguli Mostly. But there are doctors, and former engineers, lawyers, writers, actors, CEOs, politicians, etc, who get academic jobs without a PhD.

[@Drganguli]

@@sunway1374 In some special cases only. They must show huge attainments as a practitioner of the field.

[@sunway1374]

@@Drganguli I only replied to what you wrote: "Yes, but you can't get academic jobs without a PhD".

[@andymiles5156]

Does the “compound interest” element mean it’s less worthwhile to do a PHD post 50s even if funded via work? I guess the challenge is also undertaking both work and a PHD at the same time.

[@benjaminsteenhoek3842]

Hi Andy, thank you for your content. It really gives me good perspective from a student who’s outside of “the academic bubble” but still knows what it’s like inside. Can you make a video about the relative benefits of working from home vs. in the lab? I’m working on my PhD in CS and have been working fully remote for 2 years. When I’m in person, I really value the collaboration and idea discussions I can have with other students, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m wasting time on my commute and other distractions in the office. Thanks.

[@youngzoo22]

In law school for 3 of those reasons. I love languages, but I don't like teaching school kids and I don't think it pays..

[@rsouchereau]

anxiety guaranteed, I can attest haha

[@BigbyOShaunessy]

I’ve found these videos enlightening. The one thing I’ve always wondered though is how do these videos reflect on doing a PhD in the social sciences or the humanities. Is it just not having lab work but having to focus on researching primary sources? Curious minds would like to know.

[@lenithemonster7119]

Check, check and check. I guess these are the reasons i will never finish :D

[@asifmuniruniverse7732]

I'll think but at once not possible reply answer

[@boibanee6065]

I actually love this video, pls i didn't get your mail address properly. i need to mail you. Thanks for the video

[@lintangnuswantoro4598]

Hi bro, could I consult with u through email or telegram? btw, I am currently entering 1st year of master degree and striving to dedicate myself to be a research scientist in the future. I want to engage in a serious mentorship from u. Thanks.