While the number of South African PhD candidates more than doubled in the last decade, according to Professor Sioux McKenna from Rhodes University, there’s no doubt that getting a PhD requires a huge investment of time, money, commitment and a focused mindset. But the personal, professional and financial benefits of successfully completing a doctoral program can make this enormous investment worthwhile, both for yourself personally and for your long-term career.
Across most industries, holders of a PhD make very attractive hires, and as a result, this provides PhD holders with access to far more jobs and career options. The level of specialised knowledge and discipline required for a PhD program, as opposed to simply a masters, is necessary for many advanced and research-driven jobs. In such highly competitive fields, certain positions will be awarded exclusively to applicants who have PhDs. Alongside helping you create an impressive CV and salary rewards that accompany a PhD, you can also benefit from the unique and highly valuable connections you will make along your journey in academia. As you climb the career ladder in your chosen field, you will be in a strong position to be able to distinguish yourself as an expert and accrue valuable contacts who will be able to vouch for your abilities.
Earning a PhD degree helps you develop valuable transferable skills, which are very important to South Africa’s top recruiters. Apart from having perseverance and an analytical mind, central to a PhD program is teaching candidates how to be effective team players, become excellent problem solvers and develop great communication and presentation skills. The process of completing a PhD program is often considered to be excellent training in negotiation skills, creativity, confidence, critical inquiry and professionalism. Whether you complete a dissertation or a capstone or doctoral study project, completing one or more doctoral programs will push your skills to the next level, which takes a vast amount of talent, organisation and diligence.
For many potential PhD candidates, the cost of their studies and student loans in contrast with their university income makes them wonder whether the financial strain is truly worth it. But while money may be limited while you’re studying, getting your doctorate will make you more likely to earn a significantly higher salary when it comes to navigating the world of work, than someone with only a masters degree. This is true for most professional fields, and the differences can vary from anywhere between 7% and 33%, according to figures by the US Census Bureau.
A PhD qualifies you for most jobs and industry positions. When you break down a PhD, it’s really a qualification in knowledge. Your skillset is your ability to acquire knowledge and know-how to use that knowledge. Despite what some recruiters may say when turning down an applicant you cannot realistically be too qualified for a job. You either have the correct skill set, experience and interpersonal skills required for the role or not. If you are turned down for a job, despite your PhD, it may simply mean that you should reconsider what the employer is looking for. Leverage your experience and PhD towards their interests rather than your own. It may mean that you need to rewrite your resume, change your approach to interviews and then position yourself correctly next time.
A PhD is a huge undertaking. Taking on a PhD involves a tremendous amount of reading, learning, writing, stress, failure, satisfaction and accomplishment. This can all come at once or at separate times. But if you are truly passionate about your field and are prepared to dedicate your life to advancing it and expand humanity’s circle of knowledge then it may be the right path for you. It’s a major life decision and you need to understand the career path and realities of academic jobs in your particular field. Do your own research before you embark on a PhD. If you can, try to find yourself a mentor who has already completed their PhD and can let you know the realities of what you will be undertaking. You will be working extremely hard and for not much money for several years, so you need to be sure it’s something you can handle.
While a PhD program will take several years of huge personal commitment and sacrifice and financial investment, you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career once you finish.
Written by Jane Sandwood (janesandwood.writer@gmail.com)
