This is so sadly a little bit true …I reflagged your post on my very very young blog. If you want to check it out, it’s here : http://phdbility.wordpress.com/
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I am currently writing the thesis…and I could not agree more. 100 hours a week for 4 years, gave up everything for science (friends, sports, hobbies, family) and I got almost nothing in return.
For anyone wanting to start a Ph.D., I’d like to quote Gandalf: FLY, YOU FOOLS!! (Tolkien et al., 1954)
Right. I found the 3-5 years to be inaccurate (4.5-6.5 much more likely) and it’s not really 100hrs/week either. I work a lot, but I’ve never worked a 100 hour week. Seven 14 hour days? No one is maintaining that. The rest feels spot on.
Well, there’s no practical benefit out of doing a PhD, that’s true, but the sort of training you get changes the way you look at things forever. I’d say it gives you a more enjoyable mental life.
Oh, PhD does increase your chances of getting certain kinds of jobs (with a nice enough salary that may or may not make up for the years in school). But to justify your keeping that salary and job — when they might hire two non-PhDs for the same price — is that you still love it enough to show inspiring enthusiasm, because you will be judged in industry on combining the subject matter with sophisticated interpersonal skills that are not modeled in grad school!
A PhD will ask you how many days do you have to discuss the question… lol… but seriously, there are a number of reasons, not just one… For me, I want to take care of my family now and as long as I live, a close second is I want to help my people (First Nations), I want to further my education in something I am passionate about, be a trailblazer in my field, and hopefully contribute in some small way to a foundation that can be built upon by future generations, especially my children, grandchildren and the young ones of my people. Other than that… I have no idea why… because I am crazy?… a number of people have said that to me… Lol…
The Upturned Microscope 
Gave me a chuckle. I wrote an article on the ‘Why PhD’? subject, but this hits the nail on the head really. Will be following the musings of the Upturned Microscope!
http://bitesizebio.com/articles/what-is-the-value-of-a-phd-in-the-%E2%80%98real-world%E2%80%99/
My ramblings on science, PR, and the importance of good grammar area at: http://www.vickironaldson.wordpress.com
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Love your comic strips!
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Thanks! It’s always encouraging to hear that 🙂
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Reblogged this on Mr Epidemiology and commented:
You can’t do a PhD if you’re not passionate about the material!
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but after you finish the PhD you geniously hate the subject!
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Reblogged this on PhD-bility.
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This is so sadly a little bit true …I reflagged your post on my very very young blog. If you want to check it out, it’s here : http://phdbility.wordpress.com/
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https://vickironaldson.wordpress.com/ is marked private by its owner. If you were invited to view this site, please log in below. Read more about privacy settings.
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Hahah I laughed so hard!
I’m heading towards a PhD next year…
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very funny!! 🙂
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And thats why i will be a novelist… science will be my hobby XD
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Yep. Went down that route myself 🙂
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I did the same!! I set up an FB group, though not sure if there are many of us out there: https://www.facebook.com/avoidingaproperjob
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I am currently writing the thesis…and I could not agree more. 100 hours a week for 4 years, gave up everything for science (friends, sports, hobbies, family) and I got almost nothing in return.
For anyone wanting to start a Ph.D., I’d like to quote Gandalf: FLY, YOU FOOLS!! (Tolkien et al., 1954)
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Hey Got a PhD admission this year….I will experience same thing, No doubt about it!
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3-5 years…..lol
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Right. I found the 3-5 years to be inaccurate (4.5-6.5 much more likely) and it’s not really 100hrs/week either. I work a lot, but I’ve never worked a 100 hour week. Seven 14 hour days? No one is maintaining that. The rest feels spot on.
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Frankly speaking, doing revision you will definitely work more than 100 hours, trust me!
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If only it weren’t the only way to get any actual science done… it’s the price we pay
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It does not ring true for me….what is passion? sacrifice? nonsense
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Well, there’s no practical benefit out of doing a PhD, that’s true, but the sort of training you get changes the way you look at things forever. I’d say it gives you a more enjoyable mental life.
LikeLike
Oh, PhD does increase your chances of getting certain kinds of jobs (with a nice enough salary that may or may not make up for the years in school). But to justify your keeping that salary and job — when they might hire two non-PhDs for the same price — is that you still love it enough to show inspiring enthusiasm, because you will be judged in industry on combining the subject matter with sophisticated interpersonal skills that are not modeled in grad school!
LikeLike
A PhD will ask you how many days do you have to discuss the question… lol… but seriously, there are a number of reasons, not just one… For me, I want to take care of my family now and as long as I live, a close second is I want to help my people (First Nations), I want to further my education in something I am passionate about, be a trailblazer in my field, and hopefully contribute in some small way to a foundation that can be built upon by future generations, especially my children, grandchildren and the young ones of my people. Other than that… I have no idea why… because I am crazy?… a number of people have said that to me… Lol…
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