What do you think of those with PhD?

[whyyyyyisitmonddayy]

Particularly those in non-stem fields. Just curious!

Brainy

Honestly, I find myself never thinking about them.

They have a Doctorate so are entitled to use the title

I don't know anyone with a non stem phd .

Know a few scientists and am aware that its a tough process.

Why? It’s a title that has been earned. Why is using a title you earned cringy but using a title you got through simply getting married not?

And PhD doctors are the original doctors after all!

Do you object to the title Professor too ?

I am currently taking an Arts Masters. I have never met so many people with (arts) PhDs. They are more interesting than the accountants and consultants i used to work with!! The discipline and passion is phenomenal.

I feel a little sorry for most of the people I meet with them, as I meet quite a few in my work and they’re usually in lower paying roles not utilising it. I’d be gutted to spend so much time and money on something that didn’t lucratively pay off.

Self-indulgent?! Surely you don’t think this about people who are researching topics of definite value to the humans race? Eg those studying so solve medical problems or those investigating technology such as solar panels.

I could just about understand it if you were thinking only about less ‘useful’ cultural studies but I would argue that learning is worth it for its own sake and is part of being human. Indirectly, understanding our history and culture will inform many aspects of life, from entertainment to public policy and law making and beyond.

(I appreciate some are funded)

My son has a non stem, it was a bloody hard graft

If course it means that someone is highly intelligent. Do you honestly think that most people are capable of that level of research, analysis and writing?

I assume that someone with a PhD is intelligent, focused and extremely hard working. It's a very stressful path.

And no, I don't have one, nor would I be capable of achieving one.

I think that a PhD demonstrates certain useful qualities, but that it's not the only way to achieve or demonstrates these qualities.

In most circumstances, it comes at quite an opportunity cost, so it not always wise to pursue one.

I am very proud of my daughter, who worked very hard to get hers.

I think it’s mostly self indulgent tbh. All the people I know with phds are quite self absorbed to be honest. Include my husband and my mother in that!! I think maybe people who really value academia have a bit of a superiority complex.

I have a PhD, awarded by a science faculty but in a science-adjacent subject.

I don't think much either way when I meet someone outside academia with a PhD, beyond wondering whether they ever hoped of pursuing an academic career and whether they are pleased or sad they didn't. I don't use the Dr except in completely pointless situations (like on the label of my Amazon parcels) where it gives me a little smile and affects nobody else.

My brother has one and I’m proud of him. My ADHD held me back although I’m intelligent. If I had the right to call myself Dr I’d be putting that everywhere even in my mother’s Day card to my mum, valentines card to my husband etc.

I think we’re pretty cool. No big deal and not something to show off about but it did take a lot of sustained commitment and I’m proud I did it.

Not just for those “with money” - I’m from a family where no one previously had continued education post 16, no family money, and I went to a state comprehensive. I was partly grant/scholarship funded, and working various jobs at the same time to stay afloat.

Why do you ask?

The work submitted for a PhD has to be original, so everyone who holds one pretty much, is contributing to the collective knowledge of humankind.

Some projects are applied and can lead directly to commercial exploitation, whilst others are very much in the realm of blue skies research.

They are a lot of work and I admire anyone who has earned one.

Great respect for all their hard work.

Oh, and I’m fed up of the Dr title being missed off my name when I’m a speaker at an event. Never happens to the men. So I always use it and point it out when it’s missed.

What do you think? Perhaps share your own thoughts first.

Same here. I’m the only person in my family to study beyond GCSEs and go to university. Getting a PhD was a huge achievement for me.
I did it part time while working full time and juggling a young family. It was brutal at times!

Mine is in education so as far away from stem as you can get but I’d like to think it was of equal importance.

Depends what you mean, OP. As someone who values education and intellectual curiosity, I am
full of admiration for anyone who can make to to the end of a PhD.

exDP has a PhD. He abused me. One of the common ways he used to like putting me down was to constantly tell me that his PhD proved that he was better than me. I used to tell him that qualifications were irrelevant in family life and anyway I’m not exactly an idiot - i did 2 degrees simultaneously. So I think very very poorly of this particular person with a PhD! Everyone else I know who has a PhD is lovely though.

I admire them. They’re obviously cleverer than me. I’d never have got onto a PhD programme with my Desmond.

Also, I think it’s vital to keep pushing at the boundaries of known things and find out new things.

I know that’s not what most people think (including you OP?) Finding out new things is self-indulgent until it actually turns out to be useful, right?