Pros and cons of doing a PhD (personal experience)
TLDRThe video script offers a candid reflection on the PhD experience at the University of Exeter, highlighting both the challenges and rewards. The creator discusses financial constraints, the flexibility of working hours, the critical role of the student-supervisor relationship, the opportunities for travel and networking, and the demanding workload. They also touch on skill development, the potential for being pigeonholed, the thrill of contributing to human knowledge, and the isolation that can accompany such an intense academic pursuit. However, they balance this with the supportive university environment and the chance to make the most of campus life. The script concludes with a recommendation for 'Brilliant.org,' an educational platform that the speaker appreciates for its hands-on learning approach.
Takeaways
- 💰 Financial Strain: The speaker emphasizes the low income during a PhD, which can lead to financial stress and the need for additional work.
- 🔄 Flexibility: A positive aspect mentioned is the flexibility of working hours and locations, allowing for a self-directed work approach.
- 🤝 Supervisor Relationship: The importance of a good relationship with the PhD supervisor is highlighted, as it can significantly impact the PhD journey.
- ✈️ Travel Opportunities: The speaker shares the benefit of travel that comes with attending academic conferences, which can be subsidized by universities.
- 🏋️♂️ Hard Work: The PhD is described as demanding and time-consuming, often requiring long hours and dedication.
- 🛠️ Skill Development: The process of doing a PhD is said to greatly improve and expand one's skill set, including technical and soft skills.
- 🕊️ Pigeonholing: There's a risk of being perceived as overly specialized in one's PhD field, which might limit career options.
- 🌟 Contribution to Knowledge: The speaker feels a sense of accomplishment from contributing to the expansion of human knowledge through original research.
- 🏙️ Isolation: The PhD process can be isolating due to the independent nature of the work and the stress it brings.
- 🤝 Support Networks: The university environment provides a built-in support network through friends, mental health services, and other resources.
- 🎓 Second Chance at University: For the speaker, doing a PhD was a chance to enjoy the university experience more fully than during their undergraduate years.
Q & A
What are the financial implications of pursuing a PhD in the UK?
-The typical stipend for a PhD student in the UK is around fifteen thousand pounds, which can lead to financial strain and a need to live frugally or take on additional work.
How does the flexibility of a PhD program differ from other jobs?
-PhD programs offer more flexibility in terms of work location and hours, allowing students to work from anywhere with a laptop and manage their own schedules, which is not common in many other jobs.
Why is the student-supervisor relationship crucial in a PhD program?
-The student-supervisor relationship is critical because the supervisor's expertise and guidance can significantly impact the student's progress, success, and overall PhD experience.
What are the benefits of attending academic conferences during a PhD?
-Academic conferences provide opportunities to present research, learn about the work of others, network with professionals from various universities, and often enjoy travel subsidies or sponsorships from the university.
How does the workload of a PhD program affect students?
-The workload is substantial, often requiring long hours and intense focus, especially leading up to thesis submission, which can lead to physical and mental exhaustion.
In what ways can a PhD program improve a student's skillset?
-A PhD program can significantly enhance a student's technical skills, such as programming or data analysis, as well as soft skills like problem-solving, project management, and presentation abilities.
What is the potential downside of being perceived as over-specialized after completing a PhD?
-There's a risk of being pigeonholed into a specific field, which might limit career options unless the individual can demonstrate a broader range of capabilities and transferable skills.
Why is contributing to human knowledge a significant pro of doing a PhD?
-PhD students conduct original research, which expands the boundaries of human knowledge, making it a rewarding experience and a potentially significant contribution to the field of study.
How can the isolation associated with a PhD program impact mental health?
-The solitary nature of PhD work, combined with its intensity and stress, can lead to feelings of isolation and higher rates of mental health issues among students.
What support structures are available to PhD students at a university?
-Universities offer various support structures, including mental health services, medical care, and social groups, which can help students build a strong support network and enhance their overall university experience.
How does the experience of doing a PhD differ from the undergraduate experience?
-While both involve academic study, a PhD provides a more self-directed and in-depth research experience, often with greater flexibility and opportunities for original contributions to a field of study.
What is the educational philosophy behind Brilliant.org, as mentioned in the video?
-Brilliant.org is based on the philosophy that learning is most effective when individuals are actively engaged, making mistakes, and learning from them, offering courses and problem sets to foster this approach.
Outlines
💰 Financial Struggles of a PhD Student
The speaker discusses the financial challenges of pursuing a PhD in the UK, where the typical stipend is around fifteen thousand pounds. They highlight that this can lead to a significant pay gap compared to peers, resulting in a constrained lifestyle and limited financial flexibility. The speaker also mentions the pressure to take on additional work like tutoring or content creation, which can leave little time for anything outside of the PhD and work commitments.
🔄 Flexibility and Autonomy in PhD Research
The speaker shares the positive aspects of the flexibility inherent in a PhD program. They emphasize the ability to work from anywhere with a laptop, at any time, and without the need for a rigid office schedule. This autonomy extends to the self-directed nature of the work, allowing the researcher to pursue interesting avenues that may arise during the research process. The speaker also underscores the importance of the student-supervisor relationship, which can greatly impact the PhD experience.
🌍 Opportunities for Travel and Skill Development
The speaker mentions the opportunities for travel that come with attending academic conferences, which are often held in attractive locations. They discuss the benefits of networking at these events and the potential for institutional funding to support travel. Additionally, they talk about the hard work involved in a PhD and how it can significantly improve a range of skills, from technical abilities to soft skills like problem-solving, analysis, and project management.
🏆 Contribution to Knowledge and Isolation
The speaker expresses the profound sense of achievement that comes from contributing to human knowledge through original research. They describe the excitement of uncovering new phenomena and the pride in leaving the world with a deeper understanding. However, they also discuss the potential downside of feeling isolated due to the solitary nature of the work and the high rates of mental health issues among PhD students. The speaker also talks about the support structures available at university and the opportunity to build lasting friendships.
🎓 Benefits of Extended University Life
The speaker reflects on the advantages of staying in a university environment during a PhD, such as access to mental health services, a ready-made social network, and the opportunity to engage in various extracurricular activities. They share their personal experience of improving their university life during their PhD, making friends and enjoying the social and academic benefits that the university offers. The speaker also promotes Brilliant.org, an educational platform that provides a wide range of courses and problems to solve, which they believe would have been beneficial during their university application process.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡PhD
💡Financial Strain
💡Flexibility
💡Supervisor Relationship
💡Academic Conferences
💡Hard Work
💡Skill Development
💡Pigeonholing
💡Contributing to Human Knowledge
💡Isolation
💡University Support Structures
Highlights
The speaker reflects on their personal experiences during their PhD journey at the University of Exeter.
Five personal likes and dislikes about doing a PhD are discussed, with the acknowledgment that experiences vary.
A major con of doing a PhD in the UK is the typical low stipend, which can lead to financial strain.
The financial limitations during a PhD can pressure students to work side jobs, impacting their time and research focus.
The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a financial hardship caused by a drone-related accident during their PhD.
Flexibility is highlighted as a pro, with the ability to work from anywhere and manage one's own schedule.
The importance of the student-supervisor relationship is emphasized, as it can make or break the PhD experience.
The ability to travel for academic conferences and research is a significant pro, allowing for networking and personal growth.
PhDs are described as hard work, involving long hours and high levels of commitment, which can be physically and mentally taxing.
The development of new technical and soft skills is a key benefit of undertaking a PhD.
The potential downside of being pigeonholed into a specific field despite having transferable skills is discussed.
Contributing to human knowledge through original research is cited as a profound and motivating aspect of doing a PhD.
The isolation and mental health challenges associated with the solitary nature of PhD work are acknowledged.
The support structures available at university, such as mental health services and social groups, are highlighted as a significant advantage.
The speaker shares their positive experience of building a strong social network during their PhD, contrasting with their undergraduate years.
Brilliant.org is recommended as an educational resource for those looking to expand their horizons and learn new skills.
A discount is offered for Brilliant.org's premium subscription for viewers interested in accessing advanced courses.
Transcripts
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