PhD (Reality) Escapism
The ‘lazy’ option
Doctor of Philosophy; the highest academic achievement one can reach — despite potential post-docs and habilitations— and the de-facto minimum requirement in most countries to aspire to a career in academia.
We often hear about the 1%, the wealth-based kind, but a doctoral degree can still grant you access to another elite: the uber-educated 1%. Whether this is beneficial or not, it’s another issue.
Plentiful, but not every single historical genius has earned a PhD. However, I could not avoid to be mesmerised the first time I’ve encountered The Illustrated Guide to a Ph.D from Matt Might. We are now well past the seven billion living human beings mark and, although one can give back to humanity is so many ways, the idea of making a dent, of pushing the boundaries of knowledge in a field you are particularly fond of, is — to me — priceless.
It is rather common to stumble upon articles and posts depicting dire situations for aspiring PhD seekers and candidates, and still some other more optimistic opinions. And surely you can find some very cautious and conservative ones as well. Nevertheless, several scholars and pundits are wondering if the world, or the US at least, is producing too many doctoral graduates when considering the number of tenured positions available. Differences apply from country to country and according to the field, of course.
Sadly, the PhDs’ ‘yearly production’ may be only the tip of a more diversified issue.
First of all, graduate studies are apparently linked to a considerable increase in mental issues due to the constant pressure and demanding workload. Surely, students should take some time pondering whether they are really willing to devote several years of their life to research, while being aware of the several pitfalls along the path. Nonetheless, once acknowledged that psychological problems are a reality and not just isolated cases, a coordinated and widespread action should be taken by the various institutions. Perhaps, the so-called elitist and most influential ones should try to raise awareness and act preemptively in order to pave the path and facilitate less capable universities to tackle the issue.
Secondly, you may have heard — according to your age — some freshly graduated students having to deal with the uncertainty of future employment. Especially within countries strongly hit by the current economical and financial crisis. A common statement of the past decade or so, may sound like this:
“I don’t think a 3/4-year bachelor’s may be enough for the current competitive market and probably it’s better to continue with a master’s while waiting for the situation to improve. Surely, a higher-level degree won’t hurt.”
This may be the most common scenario, but — only recently — I have heard the same reasoning shifted to PhD studies. Although I am indeed a firm believer in life-long learning, such logic could stagger when applied to doctoral studies, for multiple reasons. Genuine interest and devotion can be oftentimes cultivated along the way. Yet, picking a PhD as the ‘safest’ choice, may be as precarious as hazardous, due to the inherent length of the programme and dropout rate. Moreover, most of the doctoral students around the world receive different kinds of financial assistance, which should better be in the hands of highly selected and motivated individuals, more than unsure ‘working-life procrastinators.’
The latter point brings me to the third, and last, disturbing case I came across a short while ago. I have heard several commentaries regarding a partial exploitation and abuse of scholarship and grants, looking down at the opportunity given. “Not being ready” for the tedious adult life, somehow.
I admit that the current situation is severe, and the job market may be saturated, depending on the field. Entrepreneurship and perseverance, along with resilience, are all valuable skills to succeed in such an intricate reality. Competitiveness is soaring, opportunities are out there, a plethora of suitable contenders is after them as well.
Still, all of these reasons should not be an excuse or justification to see doctoral studies as a parallel life, a safety net, or avoidance of a daily commute and a 9to5 ‘routine.’
I will not try to stop graduates to embark on the long and tortuous doctoral journey, but tools for a comprehensive guidance should be provided to candidates. Furthermore — although everybody is capable of lying or omitting — the selection and scrutiny process should leave less breadth to such peculiar form of indolence; before and during the programme. All of this, if PhD studies can be truly seen as characterised by idleness and detachment from the outside world, which I doubt.
This said, I hope that only a striking minority of potential candidates are considering doctoral studies with such a questionable motive. And lastly, a heartfelt good luck to all the others who are pursuing such goal to humbly make the difference in this complex, mad world.
