Is it harder for someone to find a job with PhD degree?

Question

I've heard that master degree helps you find a job better...I can't understand why.

Answer 1

The jobs one applies for must be appropriate- for example, if I try to get a job as a cashier I will not be hired because of my graduate work. The manager will assume (correctly) that I will leave for something in my field if it comes along. The manager will also assume, again correctly, that as I am a 30 year old woman and a bit on the chubby side, I will be unable to do heavy physical work. As I do not have my doctorate yet, I cannot apply for jobs that require that degree.

Going to grad school is a serious commitment, and one should only do this for the MA or PhD if one is certain the degree is what they want. It is important to look at the job prospects and determine what the market is like. There is a dire need for PhD grads in psychology who also speak Spanish or Chinese, for example. A doctorate in English, on the other hand, is really an academic research degree and many who take this program intend to teach at the graduate level.

Further, an MA English grad can't compete for teaching jobs with a PhD grad- the PhD will get the tenured job, the MA will get 2 classes and may teach part-time.

Bottom line is that before doing a graduate degree, one should have some idea of how they will apply it.

Answer 2

Depends on the job.

If you want to teach and do research at a university, a Ph.D. is a virtual requirement (you can find a teaching job with a masters but you won't get research support like grants)!

If you want a research-oriented position, a Ph.D. certainly seems to attract more attention that a masters. I know I've posted my resume on Monster.com a few times listing my Ph.D. in marketing research and usually have offers of interviews for various research positions within a day or two! A friend was hired as a senior project manager with his Ph.D. in research...those with master's degrees worked for him.

Given the chance, almost any company would prefer to have a Ph.D. over a master's degree ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL. The problem, as others noted, is that someone with a Ph.D. commands a higher salary and starting position so there are probably MANY more jobs available to someone with a master's degree only...getting a Ph.D. generally limits you to higher-level positions where the salary is justified.

Answer 3

It is much more difficult to get hired in any job outside of your specific field, especially into an entry level position. Unless you are absolutely, positively certain, do yourself a favor and get a second degree in a field where you will be highly employable. Once you have it you are stuck with it, a PhD is like an albatross around your neck; most employers can smell it from at least as far...

4 years out of work with a stinking Biology PhD.

Answer 4

This is VERY dependent on the industry and the company, maybe even on the country.

Some people think that the only reason to get the doctorate is because you want to teach, to be an academician. therefore, those people don't really understand you wanting to work in a non-academic area if you have a doctorate.

I haven't seen a doctorate hurt anyones chances unless they haven't worked at all - if they don't have what some call "real world" experience. Please note that if you had internships or co-op jobs related to your field, that this is not a problem.

Answer 5

phd tends to demand a higher salary. imagine a phd willing to work for the same salary as a master, who would you hire?