Should I quit my Ph.D?

Question

My Ph.D is going terribly, I've made little or no progress in my first year and have not even started the field based part of my research (on a native mammalian species). I feel that I'm doing it for all the wrong reasons; so that I don't let down family and friends, I'm terrified that they would think less of me if I was to pack it all in. I don't feel the excitment and joy of learning that I had as an undergraduate; I hate the fact that I've become unenthusiastic about something I had always been passionate about. I worry if I did quit I would regret it for the rest of my life. I feel that I won't have a chance in hell of getting a job after the Ph.D and wonder why I'm doing it. My academic supervisor has become uninterested in helping me and has been totally disinterested in the whole endevour, I'm also getting little support from technical staff in the department, who 'bend over backwards' for some other postgrads. I'm terrified because I don't know what I would do if I quit.

Answer 1

I struggled with my Masters and professional diplomas. Can I give you some morale-boosting advice? Don't give up. You are probably in the 99th percentile of experts in your field now. Have faith and persevere. The physicist Heisenberg did so badly with his PhD that he almost didn't pass, and yet went onto be one of the most influential scientists of his age.

Answer 2

You say that your not getting the buzz of excitement that you did when you were an undergraduate, that's possibly because doing a Ph.D can be a lonely experience as you will not have the same amount of social interaction that you did when you doing your degree.

Whilst it seems a great pity to give it all up now,However, if you are feeling really miserable why not consider taking a break from studies for a while. At least until you have had time to take stock of the situation i.e. Where you want to be right now.

I would think about going to see a Careers adviser to discuss career opportunities. Your university should have an interactive computer programme that will produce a list of suitable career options based on how you answer a whole range of multiple choice questions about your likes and dislikes. It would be fun to use but more importantly it will give you ideas for employment that you may wish to consider if you do decide to give up your studies.

Lastly before you do anything speak to your family and friends and explain how you are feeling. They will understand I'm sure and support you in any decision you finally make.


Good luck for the future.

Answer 3

I was in the same boat. If your university offers a non-terminating Master's, look into that. That way, you'll spend less time toward your degree, still have an advanced degree that will be respected, and you'll have a nice thesis published in your name. Also, if later on you want to get your Ph.D., you're half way there. Don't worry about not starting your research yet, I didn't have any research for about the first year, as I was a TA. Finally, I'm assuming you have an independent research topic (you didn't mention a major professor, just an academic advisor). If there isn't a group in what you want to do, try to get into the closest one. I got my MS in Chemisty, but was in a physics group, simply because they were working on what I wanted to do. Your university should be able to let a professor from a different department still be your advisor.

If you do quit, I do have a suggestion on what career you can look into; I worked for a while as a forensic analyst. They usually require a physical science of some sort (I'm guessing that your BS is in Biology from your research) and a clean background check (no drug use - even if you didn't get caught; you will have to take a polygraph test). It was exciting, and some areas have pretty good pay.

Answer 4

I have a different view than the ignorance based hopeless optimism of other posters.

I have known of cases where a faculty adviser allowed a person to get his Ph.D. then refused to sign the letter or recommendation which is mandatory for any academic job anywhere.

So, I suggest you have a serious talk with that person, also with your family and friends, and make an intelligent decision. There is always the possibility a close relative might be disappointed if he/she had high hopes for you. But, you may realize you are simply not going to make it in any case, so it is only a delay to that disappointment.

As far as other work, talk to an occupational counselor, your college almost certainly has them.

It is not clear if you are a man or woman, and yes, it does make a difference. Large corporations have a lot of jobs that start at the dummy level for women with a bachelor's degree and basic computer skills, probably paying around $20,000 or $25,000 a year, and then there is opportunity to work up to $40,000 a year jobs, based on just experience. Where I worked before retirement the person in charge of process and production time-charging was a woman who had a Botany degree.

My advice is not to sit there with time and money going by. You have to change something dramatically, but the opinion of that faculty adviser is the key here since he/she is key in any case to your future. Don't keep borrowing money with no way to pay it back. Really sit down and ask his/her advice.

Answer 5

I have recently embarked on a cell biology PhD and it's certainly not plain sailing. You have to expect periods (say serveral months) where things don't work out. However, i would suggest that enthusiasm is key - in fact, it is the only thing you really need. Thus, if your to succeed (without spitting blood!) you need to rekindle your passion for the subject. Take a break and clear your head. When you come back write a 'punchy' proposal, surmarise what you have done to date and bullet point your objectives. Split from your superivisor (sounds a waste of space) and think of your own ideas (do a full lit. review) - think of an experimental stratergy - (talk to others in the department). Working independently is often a powerful stimulant! Then take all this to the supervisor and keep the pressure up. You should atleast have another burst at it before you consider quitting - good luck!

Answer 6

The life of a scientist is tough. You have to really really want it. Basically 90 percent of everything we try doesn't work. Even with the best minds, the best ideas and the best stragies things end up not working.

If you're getting your PhD...because you don't want to let your family down...you should quit. If you really love science...love the feeling you get when something works....then you should keep working on your degree.

Being a doctor in something really doesn't mean anything. Being happy with what you're doing with your life...is priceless. Science...is such a tough gig that if you don't love it....you need to be doing something else.

I think if you continue....to do something you hate....you will be sorry for the rest of your life. And seriously in this day and age you can go get a doctorate any time you'd like.

If you feel you can be passionate about it again...then you need to get excited about your project. Go off on a tangent or something...i find the only way i get my PI excited is if i'm excited about it.

Life in the real world (not the phd graduate school world) can suck but it can also be very rewarding. Theres always something to do with your credentials.

Answer 7

I got my Ph.D. in Biology about 6 yrs. ago. It is not uncommon to make very little or no progress in the first year. It usually takes about three years (in the US) to start feeling competant. Don't let this be your reason for leaving the program. I think everyone goes through a period of self-doubt. Having said this, I think that if your motivation for pursuing the Ph.D. is external, you'll hate every minute of it. It is exceedingly hard to get an academic job unless you are very motivated and productive. I'd suggest taking a leave of absense and looking at other options. Maybe you'd like to do a degree at another instiution or perhap switch advisors within your institute. If you are not totally committed to the Ph.D. it is a huge waste of time and a poor career choice. The life of an academic is hard. You need to be convinced this is right for you.

Answer 8

Sorry to say this, but you're stuck unless you know what to do after quitting your PhD.

My sincere advice to anyone doing a PhD in anything is: DON'T. You will be a low-paid drone in the system, fighting for nonexistent grant money. Your chances of getting tenure are about the same as those of a snowball in hell. If you're a PhD in a medical school research setting, you are no more than a technician for the MDs. One anthropologist, a Yale PhD, who got only adjunct teaching assignments, chose to become a call-girl by night - she wrote a book about it:

Callgirl: Confessions of an Ivy League Lady of Pleasure by Jeannette Angell

Almost anything is better than being a PhD-maybe even streetwalking.

But before you quit, decide what ELSE.

Answer 9

Not much to add to what has already been said, but if you're not a quitter by nature, then making the decision to quit will be really hard, but once you do it, you will feel an immense weight off your shoulders. Sometimes, the way forward is to realise you have taken a wrong turn, and take a step back, but as others have said, have a plan before you give up the Ph.D..

Answer 10

Go with your heart. Think carefully about quitting. If you think that it is not what you want to carry on with then don't, life is far to short to waste time. Although, not everything in life is enjoyable all of the time and you may feel much better in a few months time and wonder what all the fuss was about. At the end of the P.h.D you would get a buzz from completing it I am sure and they do help you to get a job. There is no shame in changing your mind and don't feel pressured by what others will think, this is your life not theirs. Everyone has to make their own mistakes and choices. Think about what type of job that you really want and whether you really need 'this' P.h.D to do that job. Could you possibly change to another one?

Good luck and do what is right for YOU.

Answer 11

Sounds like you are doing this to satisfy others. Don't be afraid of putting yourself first. Get to know yourself and what you like and this will lead you to the right path and the right line of work for yourself. All the things that you already learned will help you in any other job. Even if you choose to be a truck driver, your knowledge will ultimately take you to higher places.

I'll tell you a secret. It's kind of sad and pathetic but it's also liberating: nobody gives a **** whether you quit or not. People won't be worrying and criticizing you for quiting. And those who care about you (your family) deep inside care about your HAPPINESS. If you demonstrate that you have the command of your life and that you are doing what you love... they will eventually be okay with it... I speak from experience ;)

Good luck and follow your bliss!