Should I get a PhD?
November 4, 2013 2:40 PM
I'm about to finish an MPA. I find myself very drawn to a PhD in Urban Studies. Is this a bad idea?
I have a BFA in Theatre Management, but became enamored with public policy late in my undergraduate career. I took a few courses in urban poverty and education and loved them. For my first five years out of college, I worked in fundraising for nonprofits (my undergrad degree gave me a lot of tools to do this), including some that dealt with urban inequality issues. Earlier this year, I transitioned to a tech position with a for-profit that works with nonprofits. And now, after working on it for three years while working full-time, I'm about to graduate with a Masters of Public Administration. My MPA has been broad, but I've tried to take as many courses as possible focusing on urban issues, including some in the political science department.
I've always wanted to go for a PhD, but I figured I would do it later on down the road. Now, I find myself really drawn to the idea of getting a PhD sooner rather than later, and doing it in Urban Studies. I don't necessarily want to work in academia, but I feel like the PhD combined with my tech and nonprofit knowledge could open even more doors, and give me the formal education in urban affairs that I've been lacking.
Ultimately, I'd love to do some sort of work that combines my tech knowledge, data and policy analysis, and urban issues. Would a PhD be good for this? Or do I just need to try and get my foot in the door without one?
I have a BFA in Theatre Management, but became enamored with public policy late in my undergraduate career. I took a few courses in urban poverty and education and loved them. For my first five years out of college, I worked in fundraising for nonprofits (my undergrad degree gave me a lot of tools to do this), including some that dealt with urban inequality issues. Earlier this year, I transitioned to a tech position with a for-profit that works with nonprofits. And now, after working on it for three years while working full-time, I'm about to graduate with a Masters of Public Administration. My MPA has been broad, but I've tried to take as many courses as possible focusing on urban issues, including some in the political science department.
I've always wanted to go for a PhD, but I figured I would do it later on down the road. Now, I find myself really drawn to the idea of getting a PhD sooner rather than later, and doing it in Urban Studies. I don't necessarily want to work in academia, but I feel like the PhD combined with my tech and nonprofit knowledge could open even more doors, and give me the formal education in urban affairs that I've been lacking.
Ultimately, I'd love to do some sort of work that combines my tech knowledge, data and policy analysis, and urban issues. Would a PhD be good for this? Or do I just need to try and get my foot in the door without one?
If you want to be "given" a formal education in a topic, a PhD is not the way to go. Do a bachelor's or even a master's for that. A PhD is oriented around proving the as-yet unproven or coming up with an entirely new theory/approach or result in a field of endeavor. While you would probably take courses to help get the background to do that, the true goal for a PhD is original research and an eventual discovery or realization.
If you simply want to be experienced and qualified in a topic, and get an opportunity to do some research or a professional project, a master's is usually the way. A PhD is more to prove your tenacity, research skills, and, in some cases, your determination to get into academia.
Disclaimer: I only know the worlds of math and science and not the humanities, so YMMV, particularly if the world of urban planning has very specific signals it looks for in candidates. (Indeed, that might be a way to go. Speak to people at the top of their game in the field you want to enter and see how their path went.)
posted by wackybrit at 3:00 PM on November 4, 2013
If you simply want to be experienced and qualified in a topic, and get an opportunity to do some research or a professional project, a master's is usually the way. A PhD is more to prove your tenacity, research skills, and, in some cases, your determination to get into academia.
Disclaimer: I only know the worlds of math and science and not the humanities, so YMMV, particularly if the world of urban planning has very specific signals it looks for in candidates. (Indeed, that might be a way to go. Speak to people at the top of their game in the field you want to enter and see how their path went.)
posted by wackybrit at 3:00 PM on November 4, 2013
I have just finished a Master's in Urban Planning at an Australian university, and in the early 2000s, began but did not finish a PhD in history. I've worked in public policy and as a researcher.
Doctorates in this field are qualifications that are really designed for academic research and not a great deal more---it's not a vocational degree in any sense. If you want to teach or undertake research in a university you'll require one (or be on your way to getting one), but outside experience and familiarity with actual work practices is likely to count for much more. In Australia, planners and people working in and around urban planning are really expected to know their State's planning and development certification system inside out, for instance. Which means work experience.
If what you want is a specialty to go with your generalist Masters, why not a grad dip course in a human geography field, or even in economics?
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 3:25 PM on November 4, 2013
Doctorates in this field are qualifications that are really designed for academic research and not a great deal more---it's not a vocational degree in any sense. If you want to teach or undertake research in a university you'll require one (or be on your way to getting one), but outside experience and familiarity with actual work practices is likely to count for much more. In Australia, planners and people working in and around urban planning are really expected to know their State's planning and development certification system inside out, for instance. Which means work experience.
If what you want is a specialty to go with your generalist Masters, why not a grad dip course in a human geography field, or even in economics?
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 3:25 PM on November 4, 2013
I've always wanted to go for a PhD
Why? Do you want to teach? Or do you just want to focus all your attention on one tiny subfield of another tiny subfield? See this illustration of what a Ph.D. accomplishes.
If not, I don't know what a Ph.D. will accomplish for you (other than poverty for five years, and if you're unlucky, student debt) that your masters' didn't. Granted, I'm also coming from a science/engineering background.
posted by supercres at 3:26 PM on November 4, 2013
Why? Do you want to teach? Or do you just want to focus all your attention on one tiny subfield of another tiny subfield? See this illustration of what a Ph.D. accomplishes.
If not, I don't know what a Ph.D. will accomplish for you (other than poverty for five years, and if you're unlucky, student debt) that your masters' didn't. Granted, I'm also coming from a science/engineering background.
posted by supercres at 3:26 PM on November 4, 2013
Speaking as a current urban planning PhD student, I don't think you need one to do good work that combines "tech knowledge, data and policy analysis, and urban issues." If you will miss school and the heady knowledge rush of coursework, see if your university or one nearby by has a certificate program that you can continue with. Many universities also are open to non-degree students taking classes. One of my classmates is slooowly getting her masters while also working full time as a policy aide to the state legislature. Now that sounds awesome to me, instead of what I am doing right now, which is slogging through a 100 item long reading list for my comprehensive exams.
posted by spamandkimchi at 5:11 PM on November 4, 2013
posted by spamandkimchi at 5:11 PM on November 4, 2013
I'd love to do some sort of work that combines my tech knowledge, data and policy analysis, and urban issues
Why not try getting work within a municipality? Or how about the orgs that you worked for that focused on urban inequality - instead of fundraising for them, why not get a position focusing on urban inequality?
I don't think a PhD would open doors to get you those types of jobs - in some cases a PhD may even overqualify you for some jobs. You also don't need a formal education in urban affairs to get a job like this - if you work in a job that deals with urban issues (inequality, housing, planning, etc.) you'll learn on the job. I suggest getting a few years of work experience (and earn some money), and if you really want to get a PhD in Urban Studies, do it then.
posted by foxjacket at 6:29 PM on November 4, 2013
Why not try getting work within a municipality? Or how about the orgs that you worked for that focused on urban inequality - instead of fundraising for them, why not get a position focusing on urban inequality?
I don't think a PhD would open doors to get you those types of jobs - in some cases a PhD may even overqualify you for some jobs. You also don't need a formal education in urban affairs to get a job like this - if you work in a job that deals with urban issues (inequality, housing, planning, etc.) you'll learn on the job. I suggest getting a few years of work experience (and earn some money), and if you really want to get a PhD in Urban Studies, do it then.
posted by foxjacket at 6:29 PM on November 4, 2013
A PhD is a very specialized qualification that opens doors for some jobs and closes them for others. I would advise you to imagine you are going on the job market now, with PhD or not, and see what kind of opportunities exist, and what skills and experience are required. It's true you'll get the lay of the land while in a PhD program, but you can and probably should also research that now on your own before making a choice to do a PhD.
My guess is that you are more than equipped to make your way right now, and that you will be better off just going for it.
posted by PercussivePaul at 8:54 PM on November 4, 2013
My guess is that you are more than equipped to make your way right now, and that you will be better off just going for it.
posted by PercussivePaul at 8:54 PM on November 4, 2013
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posted by showbiz_liz at 2:44 PM on November 4, 2013