Talk me in or out of a PhD, please!

[EveWasFramed]

Hi! I am nearing the completion of my MA in Library and Information Management. I've begun to look at the job market, and it is utter shite in my field...librarians are completely undervalued, and I feel almost like I've wasted my time getting a Master's, when most jobs are only looking for an NVQ qualification.

So, I am thinking about just carrying on...I'll make nearly as much if I get funding for a PhD than I will if I get a proper job. My DCs are 4 and 2, 4 yr old will start reception in Sept., and I feel like a PhD will be easier to work around my family...more so than a full time job would be, anyway.

I really love my chosen field, and would love to do some more research, but I keep going back to getting a job...my PhD won't be any more valued than my MA...and I don't particularly want to be an Academic. At this point, I feel like I have to regard the decision to do it as a bit selfish...I have to forget about the eventual job prospects and just do it for the accomplishment.

Those of you who are doing/have done the PhD, especially those with young DCs...how have you found it?? Any suggestions are really welcome, thanks!

I have a science PhD and although I enjoyed doing it, and I wouldn't be able to do the job I have now without it, I often wonder if it was really worth it. If it wouldn't help your job prospects, and you don't want to be an academic, what's the point? Are there librarian jobs out there for which you need a PhD?

I work in a research lab where everyone has a PhD, and we all worry about our next career move. It's incredibly hard to move beyond the postdoc level, but I feel that I am overqualified for most jobs. If you feel that way with an MA, what's a PhD going to change? Sorry if this is a bit negative...

i'm halfway through my psychology Phd and I have a 10 year old Ds and now a 6 month old dd, its hard with kids but the flexibility is much better than a full time job. I am funded and need to do 35 hours a week but when and where is pretty much up to me and I see it as setting a great example to the dcs re education. You need good support from dh though and i am dreading the writing up stage but hey ho, I love it!

Crystal, thanks for the realistic view...it helps. Yes...there are plenty of PhD jobs in the information side of things that would not be in academia, so I am sure I'd be able to find something. I think I'm just feeling frustrated about the value of anything to do with librarians in the UK...in America (where I'm from), you HAVE to have at least an MA to get a job, here, an NVQ will do (I didn't really realise that before I started the degree). Pisses me off! So, tbh, I guess in England, a PhD is pointless, but if we ever go back to the US, it will be highly valued.
issy...thanks for the vote of confidence about how it can work with kids; I don't the studentship requires me to do a certain number of hours a week if I get it, but I have to get the degree in 3 years...quite a challenge!
Anyway, thanks for your input...