8: The Top 3 Things They Won't tell You About Getting Your Doctorate

It’s natural to go into a doctoral program without knowing what to expect. I was the type of student who had researched various programs and asked a ton of questions to faculty and students. Yet, I was utterly unprepared for some of the obstacles that laid ahead of me. The truth is, there are some interesting experiences about graduate school that many people are hesitant to share. It may be that they don’t want to scare you away or bust your bubble. However, it’s important to have a good understanding of what you’re getting into. Here are some of the most important things to consider before embarking in to a PhD or EdD program that you may not have heard before.

1.       You May Be Unemployable: A Doctorate Doesn’t Guarantee a Job or a Promotion

Allow me to be more specific—a doctorate doesn’t guarantee a job or a promotion IF you do not demonstrate your new knowledge and skills. Many people go through their doctoral programs with the idea that the goal is the paper diploma that they’ll eventually receive. However, the goal is not the diploma—the goal is to learn, practice, fail, and adapt. I’d argue that the most important aspect of a doctoral program is being given opportunities to critically think and add to the body of knowledge on a particular topic.  This practice of scholarship teaches folks how to figure out the answers to relevant problems, which is what employers are really interested in. You’ll still need to hone these skills if you choose to go into business on your own.

2.       Folks Don’t Finish Doctoral Programs

The Council on Graduate Schools (CGS) cites that that less than 57% of PhD students completes their program within ten years. This means that you have roughly a 50/50 chance of completing once enrolling into a PhD program.  According to CGS, there are six key factors that contribute to students’ non-completion:

·         Selection

·         Mentoring

·         Financial Support

·         Program Environment

·         Research Mode of the Field

·         Processes & Procedures

Because of these factors, students must be extra diligent not only about what program they choose, but also understanding how they can increase the likelihood of their own success. For example, be sure to make time for mentoring and planning for the financial responsibilities of your program.

3.       Your Doctoral Degree May Feel More Manageable Than Your Bachelor’s Degree

The great thing about a doctoral program is that you finally have the chance to study exactly what interests you. Unlike an undergraduate degree, you don’t have to take time completing general requirements that may be completely unrelated to your major or a topic that you just don’t like. Another great thing about entering a doctoral program is that you often come into it with something that you didn’t have before entering an undergraduate program: experience. As a graduate student, you’re more aware of the academic behaviors that are important for success and you’ve figured out how to balance work and play (hopefully). If you’ve ever felt as though you could have learned or done more as an undergraduate, a doctoral program may be a great way to put yourself to the test.

~Inez

References:

Sowel, Robert S., et al. "PhD completion and attrition: Policies and Practices to promote student success." Executive Summary. Washington, DC: Council of Graduate Schools (2010).