10 Good and 10 Bad Reasons for Pursuing a PhD

A PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is the highest possible academic degree that you can earn as a student. Is a PhD right for you? Here are 10 good and 10 bad reasons to pursue it.

During the last year of my PhD, an undergraduate from France visited our department. During a lovely Swedish fika break with the PhD students, he learned that a PhD program in Sweden typically lasts 5 years. This is in addition to the 5 years required for a Master’s degree, meaning that earning a Doctorate in Sweden totals at least 10 years in academia. With the most charming French candor, the undergraduate student remarked that we lose our youth in academia.

He certainly had a point: pursuing a PhD may be a waste of precious time, depending on the reasons one decides to do it. Not only is it a significant time investment, but there are several valid critiques about the current situation of PhD students around the world, including dissatisfaction over long hours, low pay, uncertain career prospects, and poor mental health.

Let’s start by framing the question: you can do as much research on the topic as you like, but you will never be able to decide if pursuing a PhD is a good idea as a general rule. It’s a personal life decision, and you can only decide if pursuing a PhD is worth it for YOU based on what you value.

That’s why in this article I will provide you with 10 good reasons and 10 bad ones for pursuing a PhD, drawn directly from my own experience and the experiences of other PhD holders. I hope to provide you with some nutritious food for thought.

In the end, you may find out if I regret investing 5 precious years of my youth in a PhD program or if I would do it again.

10 Good Reasons for Pursuing a PhD

1. You have a strong passion for learning and for your subject specifically: a PhD can be incredibly fulfilling for a curious and avid learner.

2. You want to develop deep expertise: pursuing a PhD allows you to become an expert in your field and cultivate a deep specialized knowledge that can set you apart from other professionals.

3. You truly enjoy teaching: as a PhD student, you will have the chance to teach at university level, sharing your knowledge and inspiring the next generation of students.

4. You are excited about research opportunities: a PhD offers the chance to be part of the research community and contribute original research, potentially leading to significant advancements in your area of study.

5. You aim to pursue research positions or become an academic professor: many research roles require a PhD, essential for those aspiring to top-tier positions in universities, think tanks, or research institutions.

6. You desire networking with top experts: PhD programs provide extensive networking opportunities with leading experts, fellow researchers, and professionals in your field.

7. You want to enhance your problem-solving skills: the rigorous research process sharpens critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are valuable in any career.

8. You are excited about personal growth: the challenging nature of PhD programs fosters resilience, discipline, and personal development.

9. You have access to funding and resources: many PhD programs offer funding, scholarships, and access to extensive resources, making advanced research more feasible.

10. You are seeking international opportunities: with a PhD, you may have opportunities to work and collaborate internationally, broadening your professional and personal horizons.

10 Bad Reasons for Pursuing a PhD

1. You believe that a PhD guarantees a high-paying job in your field: this may be a misleading misconception since the academic job market is often competitive; you may have better chances at securing a high-paying job by investing those years in “climbing the corporate ladder”.

2. You want to avoid facing the job market: using a PhD program to delay entering the job market can lead to prolonged uncertainty and financial strain.

3. You feel pressure from others: pursuing a PhD due to pressure from family, mentors, or peers rather than personal motivation can lead to dissatisfaction and eventually burnout.

4. You are struggling financially and you simply want a job: the funding for a PhD program is usually lower than the salary that you could get working in industry with the same skills.

5. You lack clear goals and want to postpone your career decisions: entering a PhD program without genuine research interest can result in wasted time and resources.

6. You are unwilling to make personal sacrifices: as for any other ambitious endeavor, the demanding nature of PhD programs can limit free time for hobbies and other interests.

7. You just want to be called “Doctor”: the value of a PhD lies in the expertise and skills gained, not just the title. The title “doctor” does not guarantee respect or recognition if not backed by genuine expertise and contributions to the field.

8. You struggle under pressure: the intense pressure and stress associated with PhD programs can negatively impact mental health.

9. You worry about the opportunity cost: spending several years in a PhD program means forgoing other professional opportunities and potential higher earnings during that time.

10. You seek and need certain outcomes: the academic landscape is changing, the value of a PhD may vary depending on future trends and technological advancements, and the career prospects available when you start your PhD program might have changed by the time you complete it.

I hope these lists will help you think about this important decision. As I mentioned, I compiled them from experience.

I was motivated by all the “good reasons” in the list above and earned my PhD in Mathematical Statistics in 2019. Together with my duties as a Teaching Assistant, I spent a bit more than 5 years researching and developing machine learning approaches, statistical models, statistical signal processing, and inference methods for challenging data. During this time, I developed specialized skills in machine learning and data science, which have been invaluable in my career in AI and Data Science outside academia.

Applying my research to different biomedical applications allowed me to learn from top world experts about fascinating topics beyond mathematical theory, including how the human brain processes thoughts and memories, how stress affects heart rate variability, and how proteins fold into functional 3D structures. These interdisciplinary collaborations enriched my research and broadened my perspective, reinforcing my passion for research and innovation that can have a real-world impact.

I had the chance to explore, make mistakes, learn, and develop my research ideas in ways I never imagined. Meeting many smart people and a few truly amazing ones enriched my journey. I was fortunate to be advised by the most inspiring mentor one could wish for, who not only invested in me as a young researcher but also provided unwavering support and guidance. She believed in my potential, and her encouragement helped me grow both as a researcher and as a person.

I can’t deny that at times it was hard — there were long working days, failed experiments, and moments of doubt. However, the satisfaction of overcoming these challenges, the passion for learning and discovering new approaches, and the joy of contributing to the field made it all worthwhile. Reflecting on my journey, I realize how much I loved every bit of it. If I could go back, I would do it again in a heartbeat. For me, it was 100% worth it.