What made you decide to get a PhD?

[AteRiri]

Just that really.

I am graduating at the end of the year. I've been exposed to research in an industry lab the past year, and I like the environment.

However, I realise that these people are the cream of the crop, and most PhD's won't have the same cushy job.

I've been googling and it seems most PhD's either have job insecurity, or are underemployed. Some are even unemployed.

Is it worth it to go after what seems to be a pipe dream?

I just finished my PhD in a social science. I undertook mine because I did an MA first, and loved the university and the programme. I also didn't do it for any particular career progression, I just wanted the challenge, and the time to devote to something I was passionate about. It also fit in quite well with my primary aged children. I'm not working yet....a combination of little work experience in England (not my country of origin), and family circumstances, but i will never think it was a waste of time...I (mostly) enjoyed the whole experience, and it was a boost to my confidence.
Btw...i was 39 when I started, and it took nearly 5 years to complete! Never too late, I say!

I did a PhD because I wanted to escape the job I was in. And lots of my friends had one so I felt I had something to prove. That's the very honest answer. I did have a real interest in the subject and a drive to make things better for the people I work with. I wanted autonomy and flexibility in my workplace. The Dr. title also appealed.

Five years down the line (part-time study) I'm nearly finished. I'm in my 40s and the lack of job security is really getting me down. I've loved the freedom and autonomy, and I've stretched myself more than I could have imagined. I'm proud of what I've achieved. However, I'm stressed beyond belief about the next step and currently feeling really isolated. It can be a very lonely period, especially writing up.

There is a lot of pressure in academia to publish and produce outputs. Permanent jobs in my field are the holy grain and if you get one you are overworked with no time for research due to teaching but still the same pressure.

I'm not really selling it.... I don't regret it though.

I loved my discipline and I thought that working in academia would be a job I'd pay to do...then I worked as an academic and my illusions were promptly shattered. If you are aiming for an academic career don't do it, it's a stressful mess.

umizoomi I didn't say 4 year postdoc = 4 year in industry. They are very different and you'd have to start at the bottom again if you move into industry. Unless you managed to find a research position, which I have seen, though very rare. However my point is postdoc don't get paid more than their peers of the same age. In other words, comparing a graduate who did PhD and then a postdoc to her undergraduate classmates who went on to industry. If the graduate works in London, they'll definitely be earning far more in industry. A quick search for London graduates in the same job site tells me they are £30-35k. A search for 10 miles of Reading gives £25-35k for graduates too.