Doing a Ph.D. can be a worthwhile endeavor, one that brings you lots of meaning and fulfillment. However, it can also be a stress-ridden nightmare that you cannot wait to wake up from. The truth is, Ph.D.s have been overly glamorized by pop culture when in most cases, they are not what they are made out to be.

There are good and bad reasons to do a Ph.D., and good reasons are the ones that determine your experience. Deepening your knowledge of a subject because you have a passion for it is a good reason. However, using it as a shortcut towards a cushy academic job is not a good reason.

First and foremost, a Ph.D. is primarily meant for those who intend to pursue a career in academia. Do you have a passion for teaching and researching? If yes, then great, keep reading, but if not, then a Ph.D. is not for you.