I’m staring at a PhD and genuinely considering it. I already have an M.S. and that was brutal. But my career stalled and nobody is hiring. Plus I hate myself. Should I do it?
I just want to do a cool project. I have no interest in academia, lol.
What’s your field? People love talking shit about getting a PhD and that they’re pointless, but in some fields they’re essential for career growth.
Source: got MSc, got job, saw that career would be hampered by not having PhD. Went back and got PhD, got great job, huge salary increases on the horizon
Geology. A PhD is unnecessary unless you want to work in academia (bleh) or for the USGS, which is prestigious but hard to get into even with a PhD. So I’ve heard. There likely would be no appreciable salary increase and in fact would fall into the “overqualified” trap. Master’s is the standard level employers desire.
I’m unemployed and bummed about it and looking at the PhD because having a project like that sounds awesome.
Fair enough, in that case it definitely wouldn’t be worth it. And yeah the independence and cool project aspects of the PhD are appealing, but it really does suck ass and ruin you mentally for a long period of time until you finally achieve your goal (failing is also a possibility)
Best of luck, I hope you’re able to find a position
