Why Get a PhD? 5 Good Reasons (and a Few Bad Ones)

Last Updated on: 30th August 2022, 04:48 am

Why get a PhD? There are many reasons to get a PhD; some personal, some professional. We are all driven by our own unique needs and desires, and each of us will have different reasons for wanting to pursue a scholarly path.

However, considering the cost of a PhD and the substantial time and energy it takes to get one, it’s important to be crystal clear on your reasons for getting a PhD. Impressing your parents is great, but is it worth a quarter million dollars?

So why get a PhD? I’ve noticed that there are several main reasons to get a PhD that drive most aspiring scholars.

Reasons to Get a PhD

Teaching

Teaching is one of the best–and most common–reasons to get a PhD. Being of service to the intellectual development of young people is an honorable task. A PhD is required to teach at many colleges, since it is thought that those with a PhD have broad and deep knowledge on a subject. For accreditation purposes, colleges need their professors to have PhDs.

Unfortunately, many PhD programs offer little if any training on how to teach. So, if you want to teach, you should make sure you learn something about teaching itself while becoming an expert in your field. Find ways to educate yourself about the craft of teaching so that you can serve your students well. You’ll be glad you did when you step into a classroom for the first time.

Pros

• You get to teach
• You can help people reach their goals

Cons

• You may have to learn on the fly
• You will have to work on the craft of teaching separately from your degree, unless you’re getting a doctorate in education

Research

Doing research is also a common answer to the question, “Why get a PhD?” In fact, graduate school programs are usually tailored more towards research as a focus. Much of the process of getting a PhD is learning how to do research in a particular field. You read a great deal to see what has been done and take a number of classes learning how to do research and use an academic voice. Finally, your dissertation–the key to your being given the honor of “PhD” in your title–is an assessment of your ability to conduct and report research effectively. If you want to get into research and add to the body of knowledge in a field, then a PhD is a great way to do so.

Pros

• You get to dig deep into an area that interests you
• You may make discoveries that help people

Cons

• It can take a long time to get results
• Your interests may change over time

High-Level Administrative Jobs

Most school presidents, deans, etc. come from the ranks of professors–those with PhDs. So, if administration is where you want to be, then pursuing a PhD may be the route for you. Be aware that administrative positions require more of a time commitment than teaching and you may greatly reduce the opportunities that you have to teach or do research. However, if this sounds like the ideal career path for you, it may be a good reason to get a PhD.

Pros

• You can be part of making changes
• You can advance your career

Cons

• Many meetings
• Some administrative jobs have heavy fundraising expectations

Jobs Outside of Academia

Getting a better job is one reason many people cite in answer to the question “Why get a PhD?” Holding a PhD has caché. It can sound nice in the workplace to hold a PhD, but outside of the academic system, I can’t think of many positions where holding a PhD gives you a significant advantage over others. If you have a specific career in mind that you know requires having a PhD, that may be a good enough reason. However, I discourage people from getting a PhD with the idea that it’s their ticket to any job they want without having a clear notion of what that job actually is.

Pros

• Potential to make more money
• Increased level of influence

Cons

• More structured workplace
• Less vacation time

Ego Gratification

Some people, for various reasons, want to get a PhD for the sake of having one. Getting a PhD is quite an accomplishment, and it comes with the added bonus of people calling you “doctor.” (Interestingly, after someone gets a masters degree do we call them master?). And truly, there’s nothing wrong with getting your degree for ego-related reasons, whether that’s a desire to “be on top” or a way of striving to match the image of who you feel you should be.

That said, it’s important to be aware of your reasons for getting a PhD and examine them. Being honest with yourself about your motivation allows you to make a more informed decision, rather than falling into the trap of spending lots of money on something that won’t truly bring fulfillment. Know what your real reasons for getting a PhD are, and make an informed decision from there.

Pros

• Feeling of accomplishment
• Being respected

Cons

• If the root causes for the need to impress are left unexamined, this accomplishment can only lead to a greater sense of emptiness
• If the ego satisfaction motive is not strong enough, there is a real risk of not finishing, which can have negative consequences for the ego

Why Get a PhD? Final Thoughts

There are many reasons to get a PhD. Take some time to think about what drives you towards this degree so that you can answer the question, “why get a PhD?” honestly and accurately for yourself. Whether you want to teach or just prove your third grade teacher wrong, knowing what drives you can help you through any lulls and difficulties that you may experience. And, if you do go for a PhD, use every resource that you can to finish as quickly as possible and reach your reach your goal.