Is getting a PhD a waste?

The Economist, in a featured story in its year-end issue, say it probably isn’t, and that the 64,000 PhDs awarded annually in the U.S. are often a “waste of time” for both the long-suffering student and academia itself. “Universities have discovered that PhD students are cheap, highly motivated and disposable labour.

Is 25 too old for PhD?

You are still pretty young as far as PhD students go. Most students typically start around 22 and are awarded their degree when they are around 27-28. If you start at 25 and finish at 30-32 you’re at basically the same age as other students. Age differences mean a lot less as you get older.

What should I do with my PhD degree?

I wasted six years of my life getting a PhD degree. What should I do, and how will I survive? I struggled with low self confidence throughout my bachelors, masters and PhD in chemical engineering. After spending two years in Masters and six years in getting a PhD degree, I am lost at what I can do with my life.

What to do if you wasted your life getting a PhD?

Speak to friends, speak to a psychologist, speak to anyone willing to listen, speak to yourself and try to figure out where does this need for accomplishments comes from, so you can move on.

Is there such thing as too old for a PhD?

Indeed, all of the above advice mainly applies to the top research universities and PhD programs. Their goal is to train the generation who will push the field ahead in terms of research.

How many people do not get a job after getting a PhD?

I was lost. How could I possibly not have a job lined up after getting my PhD? According to a report by the Atlantic, greater than 60% of PhDs and greater than 80% of Life Science PhDs will NOT have a paying job at graduation. Another report by the Royal Society showed that less than 1% of PhDs will go on to be tenured professors.