For many people, the idea of getting a Ph.D. in English is exciting because it means they will be able to make a lot of money—and they’ll be able to do it without having to work too hard. But is that really true? Are you really going to make a lot of money if you get a Ph.D. in English?
The answer is no. In fact, you might even end up making less than if you had just gotten an MA or BA degree in English instead. If that sounds like something that would interest you, read on to find out why!
What Is A PhD In English Worth?
A PhD in English has the potential to pay off big time if you decide to go into academia or become an editor for a publishing company. But if you want to make money as an author or freelance writer, then getting a PhD may not be worth it for you—at least not right away.
Getting A PhD In English Is Expensive And Time Consuming
The first thing that makes getting a Ph.D in English worth it is the cost involved with obtaining one—and that’s not just tuition fees and living expenses while studying at school either! You also need
Is A Phd In English Worth It
Introduction
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I finished my PhD in English in 2016 and spent the last year working as a visiting lecturer at a large public university. I have to admit: it was rough. The transition from graduate student to professor is not always easy, especially when your degree doesn’t lead directly into a stable, tenure-track job. And while there are many factors that contributed to my poor experience, I wish that someone had sat me down and explained what those challenges were before I made the decision to pursue my degree.
So here is what I wish I had known before taking the leap and beginning my career as an academic:
I finished my PhD in English in 2016 and spent the last year working as a visiting lecturer at a large public university.
A PhD is a doctorate degree that is bestowed upon a student who successfully completes a program of advanced study. A PhD program usually takes 4-6 years to complete and requires extensive research, writing, teaching and travel.
A visiting lecturer is someone who teaches at a university but does not hold the title of professor. The term “visiting” refers to the fact that this position is temporary, with most lectureships lasting only one semester or year (though some students may eventually be offered tenure).
A large public university refers to a college or university which receives significant funding from its state government (or another public entity). This means they can offer lower in-state tuition rates than private institutions like Harvard or Yale might charge you!
Here is what I wish I had known before taking the leap and beginning my career as an academic.
As someone who has done this for over a decade, I can tell you:
- You will be poor.
- You will have no social life.
- Your life will become work, and you’ll have to learn how to make your work a part of your life. This can be very challenging, especially if what you want out of life is something entirely different from academia.
- You will spend every day in a state of stress and anxiety about whether or not what you’re doing even matters at all (because it probably won’t). If it does matter, then that’s good! However, there are still plenty of other things that could go wrong…
If you want to become a professor and be able to translate your love of literature into a rewarding career, then yes, a PhD in English is absolutely worth it.
If you want to become a professor and be able to translate your love of literature into a rewarding career, then yes, a PhD in English is absolutely worth it.
The world of academia is very competitive, but if you succeed in landing an academic job, then you’ll have a very fulfilling career. You’ll be able to share your passion for reading and writing with others while earning enough money at the same time.
Conclusion
If you want to become a professor and be able to translate your love of literature into a rewarding career, then yes, a PhD in English is absolutely worth it. But if you only want the terminal degree because it seems like the natural next step after getting an undergraduate degree (and not because you’re passionate about research on literature or language), then maybe another path will lead you towards greater happiness.
