Do you want or need a PhD?
“Happiness is seeing the person you love, happy”
~My wife & I~
Do you want or need a PhD?
Since I posted my Professional Editing Service recently, I have had the luxury to editor translate abstract articles from mostly postgraduate students.
As a mediocre bachelor’s degree holder, I am compelled to edit superior level academic manuscripts than my own; every second of editing is every second of inferiority.
Despite being intimidated by the academic inferiority, I began questioning why a person should further his or her studies?
Some students finish their Master’s degree the same length as a PhD candidate as long as 5 years. Some others, upon entering the second semester of PhD while doing a successful side business, decide to quit once and for all because “PhD isn’t paying enough.”
In a rare case, this person has been undergoing PhD for 8 years, and then made up his mind to walk out from claiming the “Doctor of Philosophy” title simply because “I don’t think I need it.”
These are several examples picked up from real life stories. Again, the question has to be asked, what is the reason for someone to further his/her studies to a higher/highest level? Is it a need or is it a desire?
A need or a desire?
Yesterday (1st November 2015) I accompanied my wife to attend her Master’s convocation day at UKM and witnessed hundreds of graduates being conferred their respective graduation scrolls. Some received outstanding awards while others only went on stage.
“What prompted them to further their studies?” I wonder.
If they wish to earn high salaries through post-graduate studies, the reality of thejob market today, employers are reluctant to employ post-graduates as they have less hands-on experience and on top of that, employers have to pay higher salaries compared to bachelor degree employees. Thus, in a non-academic world, entry level employees have better luck in employment.
The key to earning high monthly salaries is to be patient in climbing the corporate ladder and not post-graduate studies. One can have only a diploma but earn more than any bachelor’s degree graduates because of skills and experience.
If they wish to be famous, going through a head-cracking process of strict methodologies of series of qualitative/quantitative researches are not an enjoined way to be famous. Better be good at singing, enter comedy reality shows, go into acting, do ‘gedik’ instagram reviews, become hijabi models and other perky stuffs merit as a faster way to be famous.
So what is the really reason why many graduates out there, take the risk of study loans of thousands of dollars with the knowledge of they will work their whole life to pay back the study loan? What is the real reason?
Is it because of “I’m doing this for my parents. It has always their hope to see their child being awarded a distinguished certificate they never had during their time.”
The Doctor of Influence vs Intellectual Affluence
Dr Maszlee Malik in his latest book “Pemburu Kesepian di Bumi Geordy” wrote a sub-article discussing “Buat Apa Nak Belajar PhD?”. He shared a piece of advice by Dr. Muhsen Saleh, Director of Zaytouna Institute at Lubnan which says:
“A voice of a person with ‘Dr’ preceding his name shall be heard due to the ‘Dr’ status.”
However, Dr. Maszlee Malik respects but disagrees with the idea. He cites a renowned novel written by celebrated novelist Paulo Coelho; ‘The Alchemist’. The novel depicts a shepherd by the name of Santiago in his journey to pursue treasure in Egypt after having a recurring dream of finding it there.
What is interesting is not the story of the young boy, but his journey abundant with philosophical messages enlightening the readers to prompt new out-of-the-norm thinking dimensions.
One vital message of the novel is the price of experience in achieving a set goal. In the end Santiago succeeded in finding his dreamt treasure but that is of nil value. The experience of finding the treasure is more meaningful than the treasure itself.
For Dr Maszlee Malik, the lengthy journey of climbing the PhD mountain is what’s valuable than the ‘Dr’ title itself. The methodology of undergoing PhD is the gist of intellectual affluence. The mind is grinned to think in a critical, creative and innovative manner is what is important.
Not because of the “Dr.” title people shall listen to his views and respects him but what are the views that enlightens the minds, spirits and intellectual of the society should come from the “Dr.” Are the minds of PhD holders, are their scholarships worthy of the title “Dr.”?
For incumbent MA and PhD holders out there, this piece of advice is monumental!
What is it to you?
Well I don’t know about you but to me, my heart has always been with the academic world of reading books, of trying to decipher something new in life through reading, of critical discussions with fellow academics.
But the reality that I am going through isn’t on my side (yes I’m talking about marriage) to enable me further my studies to a higher level. Maybe I have to write another article “Marriage or PhD?” discussing thoroughly on making the best out of the two worlds.
For me, I agree with what Dr. Maszlee has to say. Post-graduate studies, Master’s degree and PhD are just a ticket for us to be greater in our thoughts, in our opinions.
There are many academics out there, but are they intellectuals? Are their ‘great’ researches being made available for the public? Are these fellow academics living with the public to nurture the intellect?
Or are they living comfortably at home, looking proud at their PhD convocation portrait they portray at their living room for display? And leave the public in dismay?
At the end of the day, it comes down to us. So ask yourself, “Do you need or want a PhD?”
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