Summary
- What is PhD?
- What does a PhD entail?
- Benefits of doing a PhD
You all must have heard about PhD and the value attached to a PhD. So, what is a PhD and why is it given so much weightage?
To begin with, a PhD is a research degree that confers the highest academic qualification on the person.
World over, a PhD is regarded as the highest degree in any academic field. PhD is an acronym for Doctor of Philosophy, and students who attain a PhD can attach Dr. before their names.
However, this does not mean that you can treat patients but means that you have attained a doctorate in the particular field of study.
What Does a PhD Entail?
A PhD usually takes up to three to four years to complete and includes an entire thesis and research work based on the field of work.
Students pursuing a PhD must contribute a new and original contribution in the particular area of study.
So, What Does It Take to Become a PhD?
If you intend to pursue a PhD in a particular area of study, then you must be willing to dedicate 4 to 5 years of committed learning and research in the field. Here is what you will have to do while pursuing a PhD
- Thorough research and deep investigation into the subject matter
- Critical and analytical analysis of research material
- Development of new content to form original ideas and theories on the particular subject
- Writing a thesis on your findings
- Explanation of thesis through oral examinations with experts.
Pursuing a PhD is not an easy task. It requires years of research and investigation before the thesis is accepted.
Therefore, after years of hard work, it is a given that doing a PhD will have innumerable benefits. Let’s look at why earning a PhD is an advantage.
Benefits of Doing a PhD
1. Improves Writing Skills
Pursuing a PhD improves writing skills. While doing your PhD you have to submit your thesis and dissertations on the particular subject.
Writing a thesis is not simple, It requires excellent writing skills and knowledge. As you do your PhD, you will be guided by mentors who will coach you on your special writing skills. These writing skills develop as you go along the way.
A PhD paper will be published for academic purposes, which is why having good writing skills is important.
2. Enhances Soft Skills
Soft skills are skills that are a requisite for life. Whether you are pursuing a career or not. Soft skills include communication skills, analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and teamwork among other skills.
While pursuing a PhD, these soft skills get honed. Doing a PhD means that a lot of your skills will be put to test. You will automatically hone your skills and be a master by the end of your PhD.
3. Personality Development
A PhD is a prestigious degree. It is the highest degree anyone can attain. So, it is a given that doing a PhD will require a lot of skills, hard work, and dedication.
These skills required to do a PhD also help to build a great personality. With all the knowledge you gain while researching for your PhD, you become more learned. This in turn develops your overall personality.
4. Gain Vast Knowledge
While pursuing a PhD, you will introduce yourself to a world of information. PhD entails years of research and long hours of deep-rooted investigations.
While doing this, you simultaneously expand the horizons of your knowledge power. The knowledge you gain while studying for a PhD is extensive.
This knowledge can be used at any stage in your life, for practical application, and while writing your thesis.
With more knowledge in your hands, you will be able to contribute your findings on various subjects.
5. In-Demand Jobs
PhD holders have vast knowledge of the subject matter which gives them a better advantage when it comes to securing a job of their choice.
A PhD degree benefit is that they will be in a better position to secure a job of their choice rather than to settle for what is given to them.
6. Great Deal of Respect
One of the benefits of doing a PhD is that it earns you a great deal of respect in society.
When people around you come to know that you are a PhD you automatically earn their respect because they are aware of the knowledge you have and the hard work you have put in to achieve the status.
7. Asset to The Country
Very few people are able to complete PhD degrees. This is because of the difficulty level and time taken to complete a PhD.
Therefore, if you are one of the few who are able to complete a PhD, then you will be considered a valuable asset to your country.
8. Developing Critical Thinking Skills
Another PhD advantage is that it allows you to develop critical thinking skills which is important in every walk of life, especially in your career.
Every job requires a workforce with exceptional critical thinking skills to be able to achieve the objectives or goals of the job. While pursuing a PhD, you hone your critical thinking skills throughout the whole process.
9. Large Network Base
One of the benefits of doing a PhD is that for research purposes you will acquaint yourself with innumerable people including scholars, mentors, peers, and guides. These acquaintances may be able to help you at any later point in your career.
During this process of obtaining your PhD your acquaintances may develop into stronger bonds that lead to business associations at a later stage.
10. Communication Skills
Communication is important when it comes to your career or life as a whole. As we all live in a society, it is important to communicate with otters in order to live a fulfilling and fruitful life.
As mentioned above, pursuing a PhD will introduce you to a host of people. Interacting, working and talking with these people will improve your communication skills.
Not only will you learn to communicate but will also learn to communicate effectively with different genres of people.
11. Increased Job Opportunities
Another reason why earning a PhD is an advantage is because it increases your chance of securing your dream job.
In a job interview where there are two or more than two candidates eyeing the job, the PhD holder will definitely make it as the top choice for the job, surpassing a master’s degree and even a candidate with years of experience.
12. Changes Your Perspective
A PhD holder has spent years trying to deeply understand theories and decipher new and original ideas for his/her thesis.
During this course, you spend hours and years in research. This time spent on research can change your perspective on certain issues and can even be a life-changer for some.
13. Matter of Pride
Attaching the symbol Dr. in front of your name can instill pride and honour to yourself. It is a matter of great honour to be referred to as Dr. in the society. That is why earning a PhD is of great advantage.
14. Contributes New Information to Society
While writing your thesis, you will be extensively researching on a particular subject matter. The thesis you write will cover new and original information which is not copied from other writers’ works.
Through your thesis, you will be giving society original and new information which has never been read before.
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15. Enough Finances to See You Through
A PhD can be taken up at any point in your life. There is no age limit for doing your PhD. Therefore, if you wish to pursue your PhD in the middle of your career, you do not have to worry about the continuation of your finances to feed your family.
PhD degrees are usually supported by the parent institute you are pursuing the PhD from. This support amount is usually enough to conduct all your research, write your thesis and live comfortably.
Conclusion
Pursuing a PhD may seem tough and a long process, but the benefits you get after completing the PhD is encouragement enough to pursue a PhD degree.
