Don't chase the Million-Dollar Skill

The Allure of the quick fix

"It might take you 3 months to build a new skill, but that skill will make you millions".

"The $1 Million Dollar Skill Stack (Learn In This Order)".

"The three skills that will make you rich quickly".

A PhD might not lead to immediate millions, and it might never will. We might become frustrated during our studies, research, and on the professional paths we chose. Articles with such titles as in the beginning of this article might trigger our curiosity and become our dreamy escape to let off some steam.

Most certainly, PhDs in science, technology and engineering can become millionaires and lead wealthy lives. But it is never as straightforward as learning from one’s experience as in the case of most conventional mentor-mentee relationships or articles promising magic solutions.

For instance, reading the title “How to Acquire Any New Skill in 20 Hours or Less” instead of spending 10,000 hours, one might think that they do something wrong. But breaking into the details one sees that it took the author less than 12 months to learn: how to code, how to do yoga, how to windsurf, how to play the ukulele, how to play Go, how to touch type (again), how to shoot and edit a movie.

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Beyond the textbook

As a PhD in STEM, you've accomplished so much in less than 12 months, all while sustaining an income job and acquiring skills critical to reaching your milestones.

You have demonstrably mastered new skills in 20 days, so why settle for a book making exaggerated claims?

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PhD training: a Springboard, not a Cage

A PhD or a career post-PhD is dictated by the training we receive during our research studies. We have seen the diversification of careers following a PhD and that only a small percentage continues a career in academia. A 2024 study also shows job satisfaction as a result of one's PhD training in a range of sectoral careers. This confirms what has been known for failing to equip PhD candidates and prospective holders with the skills for a range of careers outside academia.

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Active learning, not Magic bullets

Active learning is crucial for 21st century skills as detailed in the work “Perceptions of STEM alumni and students on developing 21st century skills through methods of teaching and learning”.

Seeking to upskill should be purposeful and targeted to one’s vision of versatility or goals achievement. With a vast choice of promise triggering marketing narratives, it is hard to identify not only a reliable support but also what a highly skilled individual needs. Words seem to have lost their meaning. The 5th industrial revolution is not just about technological innovation,?but also about individual revolution and advancement.

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Attention to a person's needs is key, and thoughtful mapping helps you avoid wasting time.?

Trust me, you don't need 10,000 hours to build a new skill.

You might need 20 days. But what will make those precious 20 days truly worthwhile?

Catalyst-X provides ground-breaking mentorship, allowing PhD holders in science, technology and engineering to learn from experience and unlock limitless career possibilities. Learn how to become empowered, transform your great idea, and emerge as a leader in the 5th industrial revolution.

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