My PhD plans got nowhere, not for a lack of funds/place but just inward motivation, and I've been seriously reconsidering it. By December I had made a list out of the whole dilemma:
11I think people should reconsider phd and honestly ask themselves why are they doing it.
1 Is it to learn further?
2 Is it to get an academic job?
3 Is it a step towards getting a better job opportunity? Or more money?
4 Is it worth the pain? It may take more than six years... Or never. Or I may die trying...
5 Is it worth the money? Can I get the money back?
6 Is it worth the time? I could be 29- 32 when I finish phd. (Remember that postgrad life has no real breaks or vacation)
7 Is it better than the equivalent job experience?
8 How will it help me where I am going?
9 Is it just a way of proving myself to myself and society?
10 Is it just a rite of passage I had forced myself to believe in as necessary because my aunt took it?
11 Will it help Islam and my greater goals?
12 Will it help humanity more than charity from my job?
13 What will it be about?
14 How will I fund it?
15 What will happen in the process?
16 Will I get married somewhere in the middle?
17 If so, is it it better to start it after marriage since either way I'll probably end up married when I'm finishing it?
1 Is it to learn further?
2 Is it to get an academic job?
3 Is it a step towards getting a better job opportunity? Or more money?
4 Is it worth the pain? It may take more than six years... Or never. Or I may die trying...
5 Is it worth the money? Can I get the money back?
6 Is it worth the time? I could be 29- 32 when I finish phd. (Remember that postgrad life has no real breaks or vacation)
7 Is it better than the equivalent job experience?
8 How will it help me where I am going?
9 Is it just a way of proving myself to myself and society?
10 Is it just a rite of passage I had forced myself to believe in as necessary because my aunt took it?
11 Will it help Islam and my greater goals?
12 Will it help humanity more than charity from my job?
13 What will it be about?
14 How will I fund it?
15 What will happen in the process?
16 Will I get married somewhere in the middle?
17 If so, is it it better to start it after marriage since either way I'll probably end up married when I'm finishing it?