I finished a PhD and I have no regrets

Don’t be dissuaded by naysayers, Louis-François Brodeur writes.

The following was written in response to a recent column from Aly Kamadia entitled Why I didn’t get a PhD — and why you shouldn’t either:

Recently, I received a big envelope in my mailbox which contained my PhD diploma. I had defended my thesis a few months ago. Looking back, the decision to pursue this diploma was the best choice I could have made, back in 2010. Not only have I doubled and almost tripled my salary in seven years, but I was able to obtain knowledge, skills and experiences that cannot be obtained outside a context of great autonomy. Currently, as a public servant, I have the best job in the world and I use what I learned on a daily basis.

If you want to know more about outcomes of postsecondary education, recent projects conducted by the Education Policy Research Initiative, and other research, are showing the value of different diplomas. Spoiler alerts: Diplomas are worth it! And this is true even in the social sciences, where you will earn more and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Here are my five rules for a PhD in social sciences and humanities:

Don’t do a PhD on your own dime.

Don’t do a PhD if you don’t like to be alone.

Don’t do a PhD if you don’t like to read and write.

Don’t do a PhD you are not curious about everything.

And finally, don’t just DO a PhD.

The latest point requires an explanation. Completing a PhD is an immense achievement and I don’t know anyone who, during this journey, has not considered giving up. This achievement will not unlock the doors of the job market or the job of your dream.

If you truly want to join academia, you will have to attend and present in conferences, publish articles and participate in academic life. If you are considering the private sector, hedge your bets and get some marketplace experience: Do some consulting, write a few reports and participate in industry-related activities. If you are considering a job in policy, either for the government or for think-tanks, do some policy-related research and share your expertise.

Not doing a PhD is a valid choice. But encouraging people not to do it is a short-sighted message. Who will create new drugs to help cure diseases? Who will conduct research to understand better the lives of vulnerable people in Canada and abroad? Who will help us develop artificial intelligence and figure out the ethical ways to use it, if not people who, for the love of knowledge and passion to contribute to Canada’s future, will devote years of their lives to these subjects?

Not doing a PhD is a valid choice. But encouraging people not to do it is a short-sighted message.