To PhD or not to PhD?

[Vorago]

This september I graduated as a master in Linguistics magna cum lauda.

I wrote my masterscription/dissertation on the use of language in Flemish and Dutch rap music. I got a 17/20 for that, and my readers were very excited about it, partly because the subject was something that was never studied before in Flanders or the Netherlands.

Several professors asked me to write a PhD...

I turned this offer down because

1) it was difficult enough to keep my mind on one subject for 6 months, let alone 4 years...

2) I think being in an office 8 hours/day working on my PhD will make me depressed.

3) it would mean that I'd have to write on a subject not chosen by myself.


Now, today I got a letter in the mail from the university. It's sent to all Masters who graduated summa/magna cum lauda. It's about a research funding organisation, offering you the possibility to get a grant (?) for a project on a free subject, as long as it's relevant, innovative, etc.

This got me thinking...why not?

Research is something that interests me, I've tried becoming a scientific researcher at the University but that's not possible without writing a PhD.

Right now I've applied for a job at an institute that develops language education to do research. Turned down.

What interests me a lot is the use of language by teenagers in multicultural environments. All around me I hear teenagers speak like they are Maroccan immigrants while in fact they are not. It's a phenomenon that has been studied in France (Verlan), The Netherlands (Straattaal), Germany (Kanaksprache), Sweden (Rynkeby Swedish) and beyond. But here in Flanders, no one has looked in to it so far. I could be the first.

Second, there's the pay. You make roughly 1500 Euro tax free every month, for four years. In these days of economic hardship that's pretty neat. Especially considering that no-one out there is really waiting for a linguist. Plenty of demand for IT, nurses, engineers, etc, but linguists? Nope sorry.

It's a lot of work, but I guess that if you look at it as your job, and work from 9 to 5 every day, and live your life besides that, why not?




So, any experience here, suggestions, ideas?

[Holy War]

Do it and teach while youre at it.

Im planning on getting my Masters while Im in the Marines and getting my PHd once I get out.

Its respectable and brings in the money; moreso than a MA.

[Ziltoid]

Originally Posted by Holy War

Do it and teach while youre at it.

That's what both of my parents did, University teaching is a wonderful job, flexible schedules, you teach/do what you LOVE, and the money to!

[geeza]

Definitely - go for it. You seem to be in an environment you enjoy, why not get paid to stay there?

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by geeza

Definitely - go for it. You seem to be in an environment you enjoy, why not get paid to stay there?

Agreed. I'm anxiously awaiting starting my Ph.D. program. The school I will be doing it at hasn't launched it yet, so I sit idly waiting for them. I recognize it will be a lot of work and man-hours, and the payoff won't be so great (it will be in Counseling - poorly paying field), but I essentially want it for personal reasons. Anything beyond that will be an added bonus.

[drteeth]

I'm actually starting my PhD in business economics next year (now taking some preparatory courses in statistics and mathematics). I love research, and I love getting paid to do it. I also try to look at it as a job, but I have to say that the 9 to 5 part is not really working for me right now. More like 9 to midnight.

Considering your field (like you say yourself), there are not that many career oppurtunities for a linguist. I would think the academic world is one of the few career paths you've got. So I would say do it, if you like doing research.

[bass12]

Why would you not be able to choose your subject? That doesn't make sense to me. Regardless, you could probably write your dissertation in less than four years (depending on your work schedule). I would do the PhD. It sounds as if it does really interest you and it would probably be best to do it now rather than later.

[Jerose]

You'll get to change your username to Dr. Vorago, which sounds eerily similar to Dr. Zhivago.

[Phalex]

It's better to have it and not need it than to perhaps need it and not have it.

The opportunity is there, so why not take it?

[LiquidMidnight]

The European education model always befuddles me. The independent research project done at the Master's level in the United States is called a thesis and the research project usually required for fulfillment of a doctorate is called a dissertation. Here, generally a thesis can be a replication of a study but dissertations usually have to be original research. Also, a Ph.D. here requires a couple of years of coursework and qualifying exams before a candidate can dive into his or her dissertation.

To answer your question, though - More often than not, if you want to work in a research-intensive position, a Ph.D. is a requirement.

[flipper_gv]

6 months for a master????

Here it's like minimum 2 years...

[Steve]

I would think, given that your chosen field is academic in nature, a PhD for you is inevitable.

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by flipper_gv

6 months for a master????

Here it's like minimum 2 years...

I'm sure it was longer than 6 months. Mine was 2.5 years.

[bmc]

In twenty years from now, looking back on your life, which could you regret more? Having done your Phd or not having done it. A Phd gives you cred and gives you more options in life, which is what we all want, untilmately.

You're in the school environment. Ride it out a bit more. You will feel the pride and you can wear it.

Eight hours a day focussed on one thing is what most people in their working careers face. For many, it's not an option. It's a source of needed income.

Hold your nose. Put your head down. And just do it.

Bonne chance.

[Honk'n_down-low]

I would seriously consider going forward - the time will pass quickly and you will be a PhD in the end - that will be a really nice achievement

[Mr. Pickles]

Slightly OT, but there's a great book by Patrick Neate about multicultural rap/hip hop called Where You're At. Check it out. You might find some inspiration for your studies.

[Vorago]

Originally Posted by Eric Perry

I'm sure it was longer than 6 months. Mine was 2.5 years.

No, it's a year, and they're gonna make it 2 years in the nearby future, because they've finally realised that 1 year isn't nearly long enough, as was my experience.

The 6 months I was talking about was the time needed to write my master scription ( a whopping 120 pages I might add )

[Vorago]

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

The European education model always befuddles me. The independent research project done at the Master's level in the United States is called a thesis and the research project usually required for fulfillment of a doctorate is called a dissertation. Here, generally a thesis can be a replication of a study but dissertations usually have to be original research. Also, a Ph.D. here requires a couple of years of coursework and qualifying exams before a candidate can dive into his or her dissertation.

To answer your question, though - More often than not, if you want to work in a research-intensive position, a Ph.D. is a requirement.

Sorry about the terminology, the thing you write at the end of your master is called a 'Master scription' here, in the past it was called 'thesis'.

[MalcolmAmos]

Your chosen field yes the Dr. must be before your name or you will not be taken seriously by other academics.

Dr. Vorago does the research, Mr. Vorago is an assistant. The pecking order has been in effect too long to expect any thing other than what has been established. It's not a glass ceiling there are iron bars you have to go through. Doctors only need apply.

You gotta have it, now is the time.

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by Vorago

...The 6 months I was talking about was the time needed to write my master scription ( a whopping 120 pages I might add )

120??? Wow!

My program didn't require a thesis, but a 700 hour internship instead. I'd take the internship any day!