TestMagic

grinch525 · 11-26-2006, 10:34 PM

Hi everybody,

This is my first post, but I have been browsing the boards over the last little while. I am a Canadian who has just finished a Masters Degree from a Canadian school. I'm debating whether or not to continue on with the PhD program.

Before entering my M.A. program, I didn't even have a PhD on the radar screen. But, I did well in the program, my Professors think that I have potential, and I like doing research. But, I'm not entirely convinced that doing a PhD is right for me.

My concerns are three-fold:

(1) I am a bit unnerved by the fact that my MA Supervisor and other Professors keep pushing the issue. My Supervisor still emails me even though I'm done my degree which I find weird. I've tried to distance myself from him/her in order to make my own name for myself, and learn things from other people. But, I'm told this attitude is a poor one to have going into a PhD Program.

Will I have to "put" up with these people for life? My main concern is entering into a program where I initially like my supervisor, then get fed up with him/her, and then being left nowhere. I mean you can't know your Supervisor that well before selecting him/her. How do you know who to choose? How do you not get fed up of him/her?

(2) I can't see myself becoming an academic. First off, I don't have the patience to deal with the politics behind academia. Second, from what I've seen, I'm not sure it's an environment that I would enjoy being part of.

From what I'm told, don't enter a phd unless you want to be an academic. Do you guys concur?

(3) I have no idea what topic to pursue. I've looked at potential supervisors but no one does what I like. For those already enroled in PhD programs, have you compromised what you wanted to do for your thesis? If you have no clue, will your Supervisor suggest something?

Overall, I think the PhD will be a good learning opportunity for me. But, I am totally freaked about choosing the right Supervisor, the right topic, and not starting something I am not going to finish. I have a lot of "what ifs" going through my head like "What if I'm dumb and fail the exams", "What if I hate my Supervisor".

Do you guys have any advice? Should I apply at all or not? Any thoughts would be great!

tkkoh · 11-26-2006, 11:47 PM

First off, I'm hoping to getting into a PhD program, hence I can only talk from an "outsider" point of view.

1) Main thing is that at least yours and the supervisor's interests are as close as possible. Other than that, I don't know how you can choose a supervisor that you are sure you like. I'm not sure how it is like for econs, but in some other fields of studies, you have 1 to 2 years before you need to choose a supervisor - hence you have some time to observe and work with diff people to see how is your chemistry with them.

2) Yes and no. Most schools would like their PhD students to remain in the academia - that is what they are trained for. However, for economics, I guess you have more options in the industry and ngo.

The general point to note is - if you want to be in the academia, you need a phd. But you don't have to be in the academia just because you have a phd.

The more important issue to consider is the opportunity cost. Does the career you desire requires you to spend 4 to 5 years getting a phd?

3) Most people who enter the phd program have a general direction their want to puruse. e.g. marco, miro, dev econ, etc. Some may have already have very specific questions that they want to address. e.g. "marco economic policies in south asia economies in the 20th century." This would guide them in the search for potential advisors as well as in the writing of the statements of purpose or personal statements.

However, most of the time, these directions and research questions would change once you enter the program... due to the supervisor's interest, focus, change of interest, etc.

Hence it doesn't kill you that you have no specific interest at this point. But it makes it difficult for you to identify schools to apply to and profs to work with.

my 2 cents' worth.

PCG · 11-27-2006, 02:03 AM

Sounds to me like someone needs to get a taste of the "real world" before going into a phd program. Maybe get a job and see if that satisfyies your wants and ambitions.

user_name · 11-27-2006, 02:16 AM

It seems to me your question really is: I don't wanna do a PhD in econ, but my MA supervisor keeps pushing me. So should I listen to him?

My answer is no. There's simply no reason why you should waste 4-5 years doing something you don't really like only because somebody who has no control over your life tells you to.

IvyBoy · 11-27-2006, 02:49 AM

Eventhough a Ph.D. in economics is a research degree for the most part, I don't recommend it to anyone who doesn't have a passion for teaching (unless you want to end up in the private industry or international organizations only). I think a master's in economics is an awesome preparation for a career in industry. There really is a lotta money out there in the private sector and who's better prepared to earn it than someone with a master's degree in economics. If you like research, you still will have what it takes to do just that with a master's. Having said that, however, if you do enjoy teaching economics (in addition to enjoying economic research) go for the Ph.D. On the other hand, if you are not sure which subfield of economics to focus on, using the master's in economics keeps your options more open. GOOD LUCK, buddy!

11-26-2006, 10:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
grinch525 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1	Need advice...I am confused! Hi everybody, This is my first post, but I have been browsing the boards over the last little while. I am a Canadian who has just finished a Masters Degree from a Canadian school. I'm debating whether or not to continue on with the PhD program. Before entering my M.A. program, I didn't even have a PhD on the radar screen. But, I did well in the program, my Professors think that I have potential, and I like doing research. But, I'm not entirely convinced that doing a PhD is right for me. My concerns are three-fold: (1) I am a bit unnerved by the fact that my MA Supervisor and other Professors keep pushing the issue. My Supervisor still emails me even though I'm done my degree which I find weird. I've tried to distance myself from him/her in order to make my own name for myself, and learn things from other people. But, I'm told this attitude is a poor one to have going into a PhD Program. Will I have to "put" up with these people for life? My main concern is entering into a program where I initially like my supervisor, then get fed up with him/her, and then being left nowhere. I mean you can't know your Supervisor that well before selecting him/her. How do you know who to choose? How do you not get fed up of him/her? (2) I can't see myself becoming an academic. First off, I don't have the patience to deal with the politics behind academia. Second, from what I've seen, I'm not sure it's an environment that I would enjoy being part of. From what I'm told, don't enter a phd unless you want to be an academic. Do you guys concur? (3) I have no idea what topic to pursue. I've looked at potential supervisors but no one does what I like. For those already enroled in PhD programs, have you compromised what you wanted to do for your thesis? If you have no clue, will your Supervisor suggest something? Overall, I think the PhD will be a good learning opportunity for me. But, I am totally freaked about choosing the right Supervisor, the right topic, and not starting something I am not going to finish. I have a lot of "what ifs" going through my head like "What if I'm dumb and fail the exams", "What if I hate my Supervisor". Do you guys have any advice? Should I apply at all or not? Any thoughts would be great!

11-26-2006, 11:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
tkkoh Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 120	First off, I'm hoping to getting into a PhD program, hence I can only talk from an "outsider" point of view. 1) Main thing is that at least yours and the supervisor's interests are as close as possible. Other than that, I don't know how you can choose a supervisor that you are sure you like. I'm not sure how it is like for econs, but in some other fields of studies, you have 1 to 2 years before you need to choose a supervisor - hence you have some time to observe and work with diff people to see how is your chemistry with them. 2) Yes and no. Most schools would like their PhD students to remain in the academia - that is what they are trained for. However, for economics, I guess you have more options in the industry and ngo. The general point to note is - if you want to be in the academia, you need a phd. But you don't have to be in the academia just because you have a phd. The more important issue to consider is the opportunity cost. Does the career you desire requires you to spend 4 to 5 years getting a phd? 3) Most people who enter the phd program have a general direction their want to puruse. e.g. marco, miro, dev econ, etc. Some may have already have very specific questions that they want to address. e.g. "marco economic policies in south asia economies in the 20th century." This would guide them in the search for potential advisors as well as in the writing of the statements of purpose or personal statements. However, most of the time, these directions and research questions would change once you enter the program... due to the supervisor's interest, focus, change of interest, etc. Hence it doesn't kill you that you have no specific interest at this point. But it makes it difficult for you to identify schools to apply to and profs to work with. my 2 cents' worth. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ another phd aspirant's blog... http://phdmilestone.blogspot.com/

11-27-2006, 02:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
PCG Within my grasp! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UCLA Posts: 369	Sounds to me like someone needs to get a taste of the "real world" before going into a phd program. Maybe get a job and see if that satisfyies your wants and ambitions. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-27-2006, 02:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
user_name Within my grasp! Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 455	It seems to me your question really is: I don't wanna do a PhD in econ, but my MA supervisor keeps pushing me. So should I listen to him? My answer is no. There's simply no reason why you should waste 4-5 years doing something you don't really like only because somebody who has no control over your life tells you to.

11-27-2006, 02:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
IvyBoy Eager! Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 70	Eventhough a Ph.D. in economics is a research degree for the most part, I don't recommend it to anyone who doesn't have a passion for teaching (unless you want to end up in the private industry or international organizations only). I think a master's in economics is an awesome preparation for a career in industry. There really is a lotta money out there in the private sector and who's better prepared to earn it than someone with a master's degree in economics. If you like research, you still will have what it takes to do just that with a master's. Having said that, however, if you do enjoy teaching economics (in addition to enjoying economic research) go for the Ph.D. On the other hand, if you are not sure which subfield of economics to focus on, using the master's in economics keeps your options more open. GOOD LUCK, buddy!

TestMagic

Free GMAT, GRE, SAT Test, TOEFL practice tests