Reasons Why Not To Do A Phd

by Octavian, University of Oxford

Some of you, after obtaining a taught BSc or a MSc Degree, might be thinking about studying for a research PhD. From my own experience and from that of my friends and colleagues, I am writing this blog article for Tavistock Tutors in order to advise you to think twice before embarking on a PhD program. Here`s a short list of reasons against doing a PhD:

1) the long duration: PhDs take between 3 to 5 years to complete. 7 year PhDs are not unheard of: that`s a good portion of the best years of your life. "- Hang in there!"

2) the frustration: in reality, things rarely go as smoothly as planned. Your experiment might take a long time to work, or might not even work at all, making it necessary for you to start a new project from scratch. "- Resilience is the key!"

3) the lack of adequate support: if you went for the brilliant and famous supervisor, be prepared to see him or her on TV or at conferences only. My own supervisor asked in my 3rd year where was I from. "- But I can make it on my own!"

4) the low/limited/zero funding: PhD students do not get paid much, unless of course you are doing one in rich Switzerland and are paid in mighty CHFs. The small stipend that you receive might run out, putting you in the difficult situation of having to take a part- time job that will hinder your research and extend the duration of the PhD. " - Thanks God you can always be a private Tutor and make a small fortune while working with Marcus and Luke!"

5) the lack of appreciation and understanding: your research will only be understood by a handful of people in the whole world, your supervisors and your Examiners. It is so specialised, that it can be very abstract and difficult to understand even by scientists in your own discipline, let alone your friends, your family or the general public. "But at least I know how much I am worth!"

6) the lack of personal life: the long hours you must spend in your Department or laboratory will make you lose a lot friends. You will hardly make new ones. Many people postpone marriage and family life indefinitely, until after graduation. One Chemist friend of mine posted her Facebook relationship status as "married to Potassium Trifluorobarates". "It does not matter, I have always been a lonely wolf and I actually prefer to walk alone!"

7) not counting towards your future career: it is incredible the number of people I have seen switching fields after graduation. Very few choose to stay at the University and pursue an academic career, which is the only career path actually requiring a PhD. " True, yet now I can put a Dr in front of my name! "

If, after reading the above, you still are not convinced that instead of doing a PhD, you should happily enjoy the last of the best years of your life, at least promise me to talk informally over a meal with the senior PhD students from the research group you are interested in. Over a pint of beer or a glass of wine, they will be the only ones revealing the truth about how life doing a PhD really is. Do your own research and do not trust what the famous supervisors or the elite Universities will tell you!