BartemiusTheBroken
1469
26
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So after 7,5 years of completing a Bachelor degree, a Master degree and a year of Pedagogics resulting in another year with over a hundred declines on job applications, I think I should engage on a PhD. The problem is... should I? Is it wise? The longer I stay without a relevant job, the more difficult it will be to be accepted into a PhD program. Without the experience I won't either get a relevant job. And if I should so succeed, will there be other round of hundreds of declined job applications? I really need som advise, because I feel that I have wasted my life with studies only to be pushed closer and closer to a job in retail.
What should I do? Continue pushing on, or accept that I'm a failed historian?
Sulexar
Only if you have a crowbar to back it up.
PrincessWendyB
If you plan on being alive in 4 years, you have a choice: You can be alive with a PhD, or alive without one. Ypur choices now determine your future self. Who do you want to be?
SimplyWalkedIntoMordorAndBroughtPizza
id say do it, right now you still have the flexibility andtime to follow up with a phd. later, once you have settled, maybe even have a family its much more difficult.
wingineer
I’m not in the history world, and if I guess from how you write the decimal I’m not even on the same continent. That said, over here, the academy is generally under assault, and history is one of the departments bearing the brunt. I think that’s disgraceful, but it’s reality. I wouldn’t recommend pursuing a PhD if it’s likely to lead to disappointment. Try to talk to adjunct professors about their lives; if you wouldn’t be ok with that outcome, I wouldn’t do it.
kiwitreelady
Historian/archivist here. What would you do with another degree if you had it? Teach, museum, write books? Would it bring you a raise in pay? Would you earn it for the enjoyment of learning something new? I'm stopping with my 2 masters, but I work part-time for pay and full-time for free.
secondbest
The academic job market has gone from bad to worse. It is unlikely to get better any time soon.
Elsoyyo
ARussianAndHisBike
LordLucyTheSecond
Do you actually want to do a PhD? It's a lot of time and effort to commit to something. Did you do a taught masters or masters through research? PhDs will help you in some career paths certainly, even be required, but just make sure that's the path you really want to follow.
wildwestpb
If you have the means, and you enjoy academics, by all means, get your PhD. History is so vitally important regardless of what anyone says. Knowledge of history can offer valuable insights and opinions on both the present and future for a lot of different areas. Writer, teacher, analyst, archivist.. just some of the things possible.
OverThunkTheRadiation
As a PhD student in my last semester, the annoying answer is: it depends. What field are you in? Do you want to be in academia the rest of your life? How much time and money do you have?
While in your degree you’ll have no life and even less money. But it’s the best feeling to find something new and contribute to the world from your own brain mush.
After your degree, finding a job in industry isn’t necessarily easier. You’ll also have to be willing to move if you want an academia job.
OverThunkTheRadiation
God I’m so exhausted I missed the part where you’re a historian.
Elrohn
As an older man...let me give you my path.
Go-to school and get a bachelor's in aerospace
Work on my CPL.
Start flying freight.
9/11 happens. Quit flying.
Back to school and get a bachelor's in education
Teach for 3 months, quit mid year.
Back to school and grab a MBA
Find a job in finance.
Stay in finance as money is good.
Hate finance, start school again while working.
Go after mechanical engineering.
My point is...I have restarted my life more times than most. You won't get today back
Elrohn
So if you are unhappy...do something about it. You can always start over or change your mind....
ExplainsTheReasoningBehindHowHeVotes
Upvoted in hopes you do what you want with your own life. You die at the end of it, not anyone else. You wanted to study history, you did it. Don't let the lack of profitability take away the good of accomplishing what you wanted to do with your one life. Anger with no target or outlet often turns inwards. Have you considered that your anger has a much much better target then yourself? Try channeling these feelings into a sport or exercise. May you find peace in this life stranger. Peace.