Is PhD Worth It?

Is a PhD worth it?

Well, there are many debates out there on this matter.

Some will talk you into it.

Some will tell you what you’ll learn while earning your PhD.

And some will just talk you out of it.

To me, it depends on your WHY.

Let me explain further with my own experience.

Every time I was in the midst of challenging times, my definition of PhD is “permanent head damage”.

Writer's block.

Experiments were not working.

Figuring out the discussions for weird results.

Literature review was totally a mess.

Equipment breakdown.

Mental breakdown.

Motivation continuously declining with no sign up of going up.

These lists are just a few to mention.

I age more quickly too. White hairs were overtaking my black hairs on my head. My wrinkles became more obvious on my oh-so-beautiful face.

Thousands of times, no....millions of times, I thought of quitting my PhD.

Every time I feel challenged, questions doubting my existence in the PhD world pop into my head.

What did I put myself into?

Why am I torturing myself?

Is a PhD really worth it?

Is it worth suffering just to get a PhD?

Is a PhD really worth pursuing?

Is it worth sacrificing time, effort and money for this PhD?

I thought that the PhD doubtful questions will end after graduation. I have achieved the highest education level. I thought I will be happy in academia.

Boy, was I wrong.

It is just another starting point to another level of challenges.

Publishing, grant proposals, supervision, teaching, consultation and administrative work. Among all the responsibilities, I lean towards teaching the most.

For four years, I never published anything except for my PhD work (just because my supervisor pushed me). I have no heart in doing research. I'm not sure whether I'm traumatized by the PhD experience or lack of interest in research. Maybe both.

In academia, the demand to publish is massive. You publish or perish. I felt like I’m already perished inside. I felt empty. Something was missing in my career. I keep questioning myself if I should have a PhD. Until one day, somebody told me this,

“PhD-holders are not supposed to be self-oriented. They are supposed to be selfless and people-oriented. PhD is not for you. PhD is for others that you can help.”

When I heard that, I felt like I was hit by a bus. My intention of doing a PhD was wrong all this while. I was doing it for the sake of fulfilling the requirement for a job, just to get a permanent position. Just so that I'm not jobless. Can you see the irony? JOB.

And the job that I wanted was making me unhappy. Why? Because my compass was wrong.

I did things just to fulfill my KPIs and please the big boss.

Shame on me.....

After forgiving myself and some deep thoughts, I changed my vision and mission that align with people-centered purpose. Now, I'm more fulfilled and happier.

So, don't be like my old self.

Be people-driven.

Be somebody that wants to help others with your PhD.

If anybody is thinking of doing a PhD, don't ask these questions:

Is a PhD necessary for you to be successful?

Is it worth getting a PhD?

Is a PhD really worth the money and time?

Is getting a PhD worth it in terms of satisfaction?

Can getting a PhD gain respect from people?

Will my parents, family and friends love me more?

Will I be able to get a job at a prestigious university?

Will I be able to publish a lot so that I will become a respected professor?

Instead ask,

WHY am I doing a PhD?

Who can I help from this knowledge that I gained?

Some people might say that PhD is for self-fulfillment, to be satisfied with the vast knowledge gained, to get the highest level of education, to get the title and be respected in the social rankings, or to be able to get a good-paying job.

These reasons are not wrong.

But if you ONLY have these thoughts in your mind, then PhD is not for you.

Because it's not just about you.

PhD is about utilizing your skills and knowledge for a bigger purpose.

PhD is for someone with a vision bigger than themselves.

PhD is for someone who wants to serve and contribute to society.

PhD is about educating people.

PhD is about doing research to help others (not limited to only people but animals, environment, milky way, etc.).

PhD is about making the world a better place.

As Spiderman said, "With power comes responsibility."

I would like to change the quote a bit

"With KNOWLEDGE comes responsibility."

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to demotivate people with the ambition to get a PhD. I just want you to think through your intention of getting a PhD - your big WHY.

Because getting a PhD is awesome but is tough. So tough that I felt like quitting countless times. But I would never trade the experience with anything else. Without the experience, I'm not what I am today.

So it is totally worth going through the hassle of a PhD if you have the right intention. The right intention will keep you getting up again and again, no matter how many times you fall in the process of getting your PhD. The right intention will also keep your desire burning after you get your PhD.

Because at the end of the day, you know that PhD is not just for you, but it is also for you to serve others.

P.S. with love: If you decide not to pursue a PhD, it is totally OK. Just so you know, you can still help others without a PhD. You don't need a Doctorate to serve others. If you think that your skill and passion are enough to help others (even just to be the best mother in the world at home), just carry on! The most important thing is to leave a legacy because TITLE will be buried together with you once you die. LEGACY will live!

What’s your reason for doing a PhD? What’s your biggest challenge in PhD?