A PhD, or Doctorate of Doctor of Philosophy, is the apex academic qualification offered by the education sector to advance learners. It requires original research by the learners that expands the horizons of the field. Not only that, a Doctorate graduate brings a range of skills and knowledge to the table that is largely unmatched by other professionals. As a result, every industry is ready to employ PhD graduates. It gives doctorate holders a larger pool of opportunities along with recognition, network, higher salary range, etc. In this article, we will explore the advantages of having a PhD.
The 7 advantages of having a PhD
1. PhD boosts career growth
A Doctorate is the apex academic qualification a professional can achieve in their academic life. Given its depth and academic penetration, it is never easy. Learners have to put in hard intellectual work like no other program. While some say that a Masters is tougher than a PhD, it is still not universal.
The corporate world recognises this. It takes into account the hard work, the amount of research, and the time you spend day in and day out. all of which are treasured qualities in the business world. As a result, a PhD is never underappreciated in the workforce. Due to their reputation for hard work, Doctorate graduates are never short on opportunities. Career growth can become easier as their Doctorate shows off their determination and hard work even before they attend the interview. Along with experience, PhD graduates can find some of the most senior positions ever open to them. They will find favour in hiring teams as they value academics as one of the major factors in a potential employee.
As a result, PhD graduates have higher bargaining power in salary negotiations and perks and benefits. Especially in research-related roles, Doctorate graduates are always welcome due to their intellectual fibre and minds. Companies that need highly specialised experts in research roles hunt for PhD graduates in their fields. In the modern world, technology has been the driving force.
2. It gives better earning opportunities
Recent data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey proves that PhD holders earn more than Bachelor's or Masters Degree holders. As the Doctorate is a peak academic achievement, there is no shortage of opportunities for PhD graduates. The primary sectors where PhD graduates are employed are in universities, research and development departments of companies, research institutes, lecturer roles in colleges, and principals in colleges. Further opportunities can be explored in their respective industries or as business owners where a Doctorate will give the holder higher bargaining potential during salary negotiations or earning potential in their own companies due to a wider understanding and expertise in their industry.
3. Expertise is synonymous with a PhD
A PhD is a rigorous academic exhortation on a very specific subject. It familiarises a learner with the subject to such a degree that only a few others have the expertise and understanding of the subject that a Doctorate holder has. The expertise is developed through extensive research and analysis of the subject area over a matter of years. Normally, a PhD lasts for about 4–8 years. However, for professionals that are already experts in their industry, it can take even less time. Investing such a huge amount of time in a subject is driven by individual passion and perseverance. It is a test of patience, all of which are the foundational stones of gaining mastery and expertise.
4. It gives you recognition
A PhD is the epitome of learning capacity in the academic sector. Anyone with a Doctorate has invested a precious chunk of their life into it and has showcased and exhibited the treasured traits of perseverance, patience, and tenacity in mastering the field for so many years. Moreover, a PhD is offered only by recognised state universities and institutions that have a long-standing legacy and academic reputation in the higher education sector. As a Doctorate on a subject cannot be offered to or researched by two individuals at any given time, it needs coordination between all the established universities in finalising PhD subjects throughout the world.
As the famous open-source software developer phrases it, no problem is worth solving twice in the same way, and no subject is worth being researched twice by two Doctorate aspirants. For all these reasons, a PhD is unique, permanent, and held in high esteem by academicians, businesses, and the general public as well. As a result, Doctorate holders enjoy unprecedented academic advantages wherever they go. They have recognition when they apply for jobs and ask for a raise.
5. It boosts your Networking opportunities
A PhD is a pool of highly motivated researchers, educationists, and reputed institutions with professors of high esteem. It makes the learner familiar with the top minds in the research field at their university. Also, a PhD is an opportunity to network with the industry/field experts that the Doctorate aspirant is researching. In the technology-oriented forefront of research, it brings PhD learners into contact with some of the industry's game-changing minds and creators. Some management-related Doctorate programs bring their learners into contact with senior management, CEOs, C-Suites, board members, and investors for their research purposes. As a result, there is a good possibility of the growth of the network for Doctoral students.
It also helps learners with recognition and authority. They will be recognised for their knowledge and research in the industry. In the digital era and social media, incoming networks and opportunities can provide PhD holders. The network can be expanded on the internet easily with the PhD and a social media strategy and personal branding. Many PhD graduates are also using blogging as a tool. They are standard bearers of knowledge by blogging about their industry and being a voice of authority and authenticity amid misinformation on the internet.
6. You create the waves of technology
As a Doctorate is unique and requires an individual's most precious resource-time, it is never taken lightly. These PhD researchers are creating the world's future with their groundbreaking discoveries and inventions. At the technological forefront, Doctorate graduates are employed by innovative companies in their research and development departments. Furthermore, reputed universities are using them with groundbreaking discoveries. A recent example of this would be the independent discoveries of COVID-19 vaccines across the world from research-oriented universities like Oxford and vaccine manufacturers like Johnson and Johnson (KCL).
While this is a biotechnology-based development, there is also research being conducted across several fields as well. In China, genetic engineering is picking up pace, with severe ethical breaches. Ai and machine learning are spearheaded by the research and development departments of software companies and universities. In a nutshell, PhD aspirants and graduates are the driving force behind these technological waves that are altering the lives of humanity. These heavily research-oriented roles are suitable for PhD aspirants or graduates. Only a PhD is proven to develop the standard of skills in its learners, though there are independent researchers without a Doctorate. However, their numbers are small.
7. Transferable skills are a bonus
Another advantage of the Doctorate is the same as that of any academic endeavour. However, in the case of a PhD, these skills take on the highest academic challenge and come out refined, better, and stronger. These are the transferable skills from academia to the workforce. The main purpose of education is to create logical and independent-thinking humans that can make progress in society in their roles. In the case of a PhD, a PhD is a near-perfect combination of critical
Writing technical articles
Technical writing is a skill that is in short supply these days despite its demands. The world is constantly evolving in scientific and technological fields. In these times, researchers and students alike are searching for in-depth articles, books, and blogs on the internet that are written by industry experts. However massive the internet is, it is hard to find authentic voices that have industry authority and understanding. Such technical articles, papers, and research materials can greatly reduce the time needed for further research in the field. It gives researchers a head start by being a foundational step.
Technical article writers are well equipped to write these technical articles and help further research in the industry. Technical writing is used not only in science and technology but also in management. Heavily researched articles on employee retention, engagement, productivity, etc. are all deemed worthy of being considered technical writing. Companies and independent managers, HRs, and mentors are looking for insights all over the world. A Doctorate graduate can be an authentic voice in the industry with their technical writing skills.
Research
Regardless of the industry, companies need research on several factors to refine and improve their operations. While it was exclusive to the scientific community in the past, research now forms a mandatory aspect of every business. From market research to product development, companies are heavily dependent on researchers for their functioning and survival. In a competitive world, research is the one thing that can give companies an added advantage, along with several other factors.
PhD holders will possess these research skills that are refined to an extraordinary level in their rigorous academic endeavours. They can tackle the expectations of the higher management with their skills and contribute more to the company than others. In the digitised world, online research is a crucial factor in understanding the customers, choosing the solution, developing a prototype, testing the outcomes, marketing both online and offline, measuring progress, and improving based on the observations. Only a team of professionals with advanced research skills can be trusted with such tasks. A PhD holder is certainly a desired and fitting candidate for such roles.
Thinking skills
Thinking is a critical skill for all humans, but even more crucial for professionals with high-responsibility roles. It helps professionals with understanding the problem, researching, and connecting the dots to create a fitting solution to the problem. Thinking is hard in itself, and thus pre-made working patterns are used in the workforce to tackle any task. For example, all the components and machinery in a factory are thoroughly researched and inspected by the senior manager before they are handed to the employees. This way, the employees are saving a significant amount of time that they would have spent figuring things out on their own.
Public speaking and presentation skills
They are frequently asked to give lectures and presentations as Doctorate holders, industry authorities and pioneers in the research field. It can be a guest lecture for university students, a group of researchers, business owners, or at summits. On these occasions, the PhD holder's public speaking skills and presentation skills play a major role in making the occasion a success. Due to the nature of a PhD where the learner had to be skilled in these skills, PhD graduates still have mastered these skills. These are easily transferable to industry presentations.
Teaching skills
Doctorate holders make up some of the highly respected teaching faculties in reputable universities, colleges, and technical institutions. Due to their in-depth knowledge, PhD holders can guide advanced learners on the right path with their advanced teaching skills. Having a Doctorate can open doors for teaching jobs in such institutions and further research fields. Many universities, like Oxford, Cambridge, and others, are highly respected for their contributions in terms of research and raped with world-class pieces of equipment and tools for undertaking these endeavours. In the management field, schools like Harvard and Stanford are contributing to businesses with their research-oriented faculty and learner base.
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Should you do a PhD?
With all these benefits, you can be sure of your PhD's worth. A Doctorate can help you if you have reached your potential in your industry and are looking for better opportunities. Often, academic qualifications decide career growth and earning potential. Other than that, a thirst for knowledge, a passion for learning and being able to contribute to society through our learning are major motivations for enrolling in a PhD program. It can give you industry authority and recognition everywhere you go. It will be a major asset during your professional endeavours and a testimonial and legacy in the world due to its uniqueness.
Why SNATIKA
Senior professionals with managerial experience can pursue a Doctorate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at SNATIKA. The program is online with flexible learning hours. In contrast with other institutions and universities, you can earn your Doctorate within 2 years and your PhD will be awarded by prestigious UK universities. You will also receive a Level 8 Diploma at no extra cost or effort. SNATIKA is a trusted online education institution exclusively dedicated to senior professionals. Moreover, SNATIKA has been ISO-certified for its Admission and Academic Delivery Processes, making it one of the most highly trusted global educational destinations. It can save you years of time and money. Check out SNATIKA to learn more.
Conclusion
A PhD will be the ultimate academic qualification you can earn in your life. Perhaps the only other educational qualification matching that of a Doctorate is another PhD itself. Though not for everyone, it brings global recognition, international opportunities, and research opportunities. It can bring you higher earning potential and a higher place from which you can contribute to society with your findings and research.
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