1: Should I apply to do a PhD?

In the very first episode of our podcast (add link), we explored one of the most important questions an early career research can ask, because it effectively starts your career as a researcher: this question is: ‘Should I apply to do a PhD?’

Not everybody knows how the process works, so we discussed some basic questions. We hope you find this blog useful, and we encourage you listen to the pod for more details (we had fun recording it!)

Some reasons for wanting to do a PhD: It is a good idea to begin by reflecting the reasons why you are thinking about doing a PhD. Some common reasons may include:

• Because you want to be an academic (in the podcast, we noted that only a small proportion of PhD researchers go on to gain academic jobs: it is important that you know this)

• Having a PhD and pursuing your knowledge of a topic is a life ambition

• Because you like your current supervisor or institution, and you want to continue to learn more along the same lines

• Because the topic is important, and the stories need to be told!

• To develop your training and skills, including: critical thinking; digital skills; writing/communication; project management; teaching to various types of audiences.

• Money and the chance to increase your pay (in our podcast, we discussed how this was more common in the sciences than humanities, where academic and related jobs tend to be less commonly available and not always well paid).

All of these are valid reasons for wanting to do a PhD, and none are better than others. You may find that you fit more than one motivation. But it is important to spend some time thinking about what your motivations are, since actually doing a PhD can be a tough process (see below). You need to be clear on why you are doing it.

What is it like to do a PhD? To help people decide whether they really do want to jump in, it is important to know what it is really like to do a PhD. Some useful things to note:

• It can be HARD: this is perhaps obvious, but academic research can be difficult. By definition, a PhD researcher is tasked with challenging the existing state of knowledge in their field. It is worth remembering that the level of your academic work is expected to be high (if not at the beginning, then at least by the end of your project).

• It can FUN! A PhD though, is also huge fun. The level of freedom to develop your own ideas can be liberating. It can be a huge privilege to complete a PhD.

• The process can also be psychologically challenging, and can prove to be a test of your resolve. It is a good opportunity to learn about yourself and your ways of working, since completing it is a very personal thing: no two PhD researchers have the same methods or outcomes.

• (At least in the Humanities) there is a lot of freedom: over lifestyle, working patterns, topics, and opportunities to pursue alternative interests alongside the PhD. It will be an experience unlike previous education or working a ‘traditional’ job

• Attached to this: your life may appear quite different to friends who might be doing other jobs at the same time. Depending on your background, your life can appear wildly different from your friends. While there is nothing bad in this, it is worth having that knowledge in advance. This is not to say that you can’t do the big things while doing a PhD (like get married, have children, or buy a house) but there are constraints that come with doing a PhD: you will be paid less than most of your friends, and you may feel less secure in your career, and so on.

Conclusions: To summarise:

• If you are thinking of applying to do a PhD, be clear on what your motivations are. This can help you to judge whether or not it might be the right choice for you.

• Also be aware of what it is like to do a PhD. We have offered some reflections here and in our podcast, but you can listen to the full pod for more details about our own experiences (good and bad!)

If you are still reading and you think that you do indeed want to pursue the idea of a PhD, then please do read our next blog 'How to apply for a PhD in the Humanities'.

Charlie