What you should know before taking the PhD route

Ph.d. or not?

Writing a PhD is both prestigious and exciting, and it can also be a way to extend the well-known university life. But for some it can also be hard and lengthy, and therefore it’s not for everyone, no matter how smart you are. Below Majbrit Ølgaard, a career consultant at IDA, gives her best advice on how to find out whether you should take the long and esteemed PhD route.

Being on the threshold of the world of academia as a new graduate is like looking at a landscape filled with endless opportunities. For many young university graduates, however, the road after graduation is far from straightforward. At this crucial point, the following question often arises: Should you take the PhD journey, or are there other routes to take? But how actually do you decide whether a PhD is the right path for you?

“The difference is whether you’re actually attracted to a PhD or whether there’s something else you’re trying to avoid, for example having to leave university. If you’re considering doing a PhD because you’re eager to learn more about your field of research and because you love being in the laboratory or designing new experiments that can provide new knowledge, this is a healthy motivating force that can get you through the days when experiments are not going as planned, or when the novelty of being selected to do a PhD has worn off,” explains Majbrit Ølgaard, career consultant at IDA.

“As a new graduate, it’s quite normal to feel overwhelmed – perhaps even a little scared – of the many possibilities on the labour market, and on top of that you may be unsure about what you actually want to do. Choosing a PhD can therefore be the safe choice, because you already know the environment and your supervisor, and you don’t have to step into the unknown. And if this is the basis for wanting to do a PhD, then it’s more of an avoidance strategy. You’re focusing on what you don’t want, and this is not motivating enough to succeed in a PhD,” says Majbrit Ølgaard, career consultant at IDA.

Don´t fall prey to flattery

While some choose the PhD route with ardent motivation and a clear understanding of what it entails, others waver between external pressure and personal desires. And it doesn’t help that writing a PhD is also very prestigious and earns accolades, which can easily affect the choice.

“I’ve spoken with many new graduates who raise the dilemma of whether to do a PhD or not, because they are flattered that their supervisor believes that they can do it. Feeling chosen and being told that you have a talent is always nice. You may also feel that being selected is associated with high status, and that you’ll become one of the most highly educated people in Denmark. Saying no to this can be difficult,” says Majbrit Ølgaard and explains that in such situations friends and family in particular can also make the decision difficult, because you’ll often find that everyone has an opinion about it.

“My advice would be to look for help from a neutral party, for example call IDA’s career consultants for a chat about your decision. As a career consultant, I don’t care whether you do a PhD or not. But I am interested in you finding what suits you best”.

Do you have what it takes?

However, your motivation is not the only focus if you’re considering doing a PhD. Although motivation is important, it’s just as much about your skills and personality.

“You’ve probably wondered whether another three years at university suits your personality. To find out if it does, think about what other project periods during your studies have been like. In particular, the projects you wrote by yourself. You can’t write a PhD in pairs, so remember it’ll require some independence,” says Majbrit Ølgaard and continues:

“And if thinking about what it was like to write your Master’s thesis alone makes you queasy, it would be a good idea to consider what it would take to make writing a PhD a different experience. What needs to be in place to make it a positive experience? What do you need from your supervisor? How should you organise your working day? These things are really important to think through before you make your decision.”

What you should consider before taking the PhD route

Passion or avoidance

Consider whether your motivation is a genuine passion for research and an interest in developing new knowledge or perhaps it is just a strategy to avoid the uncertain job market.

Pressure and flattery

Be aware of external pressure and flattery, as being selected and recognised can affect your choices.

Seek guidance

Look for help from a neutral party, e.g. career counselling, so you can make an informed decision.

Skills and personality

Evaluate your personal skills and personality to decide whether you feel that you’re suitable for doing a PhD.

Independency

Think about your ability to work independently, and how you can prepare yourself mentally and practically for doing a PhD.

Reflect

Reflect on your previous project work and how you’ve coped with independent projects to determine whether PhD work suits your profile.