Reason why I want to pursue a PhD, and the criticism I am receiving?

Question

I want to go ahead and get a Ph.D. in mass media studies because I am very passionate about the subject and have a desire to publish and do original research in the field. I am not interested in completing the Ph.D. so that I can get a job out of it, or to benefit any career I plan on getting afterwards. When I tell people this I often get a very negative response. Can you please tell me your opinion(s) and help me figure out why it's wrong for someone, such as myself, to want an education for the sole purpose of wanting to LEARN and CONTRIBUTE to the field?

To the user named :" iritadrag..."
I find your post extremley offensive. Mass Media studies is an important field of study, ESPECIALLY today, when the average American spends 7 hours a day exposed to media. Your ignorance disgusts me.

Answer 1

I think your rationale is just perfect. Go for it. Many people pursue education for the wrong reasons and a PhD program when you don't have the passion is very difficult. You have the passion and the desire, you are set. My attitude is that good things always come from following your dreams. You may well end up with a great job, but going for it without that pressure is ideal. A PhD. can open many doors for you, and if not, the knowledge and satisfaction you will get with this level of interest is huge. Push those critics out of your mind and follow your passion. You won't regret it. They will see that you were right later on down the road. Good luck with your studies.

Answer 2

If you can't make your target audience happy, change your target audience. It actually makes some sense in that respect, Vince McMahon believes what he is doing is perfect and if people don't like that then they aren't the people he wants watching his show but at the same time does anyone think Vince McMahon gives a flying **** about anyone outside his company thinks of what he's doing? I hope not because he clearly doesn't he barely cares what the people he employs thinks. I can't stand people that say the WWE is now aimed at kids like its never been this way before though, Hulk Hogan use to tell kids to take Vitamins and say their prayers! That's blatantly PG marketing directly at the young audience is it not? In a brief 5 years of a company that spans 5 decades it wasn't aimed at a young audience and even though it was very "succesful" the fact remains if WCW was run right the attitude era would have been known as the final era of Vince McMahon's company. PG wrestling with stars that have a huge child fanbase are McMahon's MO and anyone that knows anything about Hulkamania can see that is exactly what he has returned to. I really do wish i was a young fan again though, not sure if anyone else feels this way, but back then i didn't watch a wrestling promo thinking "he's doing a good job here" or "he's butchering a good promo concept here". I honestly miss wanting my favourites to win all the time and not thinking about who's best to go over for the story and company... young fans get annoying as sin but i'd happly go back and be one again because wrestling isn't the same once you accept the business for what it is. I honestly don't think Vince McMahon changed because of what us older fans say now we have the internet to teach us everything we shouldn't really know. He's just returned to what he believes sports entertainment should be about, superheros vs. cartoon villians. He knows the only audience that will really buy into that is a younger one because most people grow up to a stage where they want to see close, unpredictable matches between two closely matched stars. Vince McMahon doesn't want to do a wrestling show that's why he created his "sports entertainment" and this PG product is exactly what he had in mind. BQ: The Legacy of Eddie Guerrero, i just love reliving some of those matches from time to time.

Answer 3

I'm in a similar, yet opposite, predicament. Quite frankly, if that's how you feel, I say you absolutely need to get the PhD.

My situation is that I want to get the degree which will get me furthest in my field. I have been urged away from the path of PhD because I don't really have an interest in continuing on such a path and have no desire to do work to solely benefit the science that I study.

PhD's have nothing to do with money, and everything to do with heart. If you are passionate about it, do it.

Answer 4

A liberal arts education used to be much more "popular" before economic conditions got tougher. Education was considered a good way to make a "better" person. With tougher economic circumstances, many people believe that education is a means to get ahead financially. If you don't have financial concerns as your top priority, you can enjoy your studies and enjoy using what you've learned after you finish the degree without worrying if it will earn you a good salary. It certainly isn't "wrong" to study something for the joy of learning and making a contribution!

Ask yourself what it is about the criticism that gets to you so much. Figuring that out will let you take care of yourself and not be swayed by others who might dissuade you from something you really want to do.

Answer 5

Your desire to do original research and publish is a great reason to get a PhD. That's what PhD's do. However, in many disciplines, PhD's cannot do their researching and publishing without a faculty job, which they cannot get without the PhD. Also PhD's who do not have a university position (job) may not get published in the journals of choice, and publishing in scholarly journals does not pay in cash, but in promotions and tenure. So how will you support this research without a faculty job?

The admissions committee will probably frown on your seeming lack of a career goal (as publishing on its own will not pay, and you don't seem to want to become faculty). They will quickly give your slot to someone who understands the power of the degree and who wants the degree so he or she may get a job in the field and exercise the full rights and privileges of the degree.

Answer 6

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with your point of view on this matter. However, I do caution you that as you proceed you will be VERY depressed by those around you who are studying and competing in the same field. Most are there for money, politics, or some other reason motivated by greed. Our society doesn't encourage people to enjoy learning. Our society encourages people to accumulate as much money and/or power as possible during a lifetime, with little room for pleasure and enjoyment. I wish you the very best.

Answer 7

I never encountered such negative responses when I tell people I am in the ph.d program in cancer research. Either these people are uneducated themselves and are jealous of your position or they are in their careers for the money. Either way as I see it, getting a ph.d will further your knowledge and career so there is no negative consequences of that (sure you might not get enough sleep for 5 or 6 years). Just ignore and go on. In the future when they disagree with you they will have to call you Doctor __. Heheh I'm looking forward to that!

Answer 8

Life is for living, and whatever you want to do with passion should always be pursued! Forget everyone elses' opinion in these kinds of matters. There are lots of people who are negative and unhappy out there and when they see happiness and contentment in others, they try their darnedest to take it away. Don't let them steal your serenity!!

Answer 9

There is nothing wrong with it. In fact, I applaud your desire. Ignore those with negative criticism. Many people can only measure career success in dollar signs. They can't imagine that education for the sake of education is a good thing.

Answer 10

Are the people who are paying for this complaining?

If you are going on scholarships and grants, do it. Otherwise, think seriously about how you are going to pay off the debt.


ADDENDUM: Is the individual that gave me the thumbs down paying off a professional school debt? Don't abuse your Level 2 privileges! http://www.nelliemae.org/library/research_4.html