Should You Do a STEM PhD? | Pros and Cons from a Harvard-MIT PhD Student (During a Pandemic)

The video discusses the pros and cons of pursuing a PhD in STEM, based on personal experiences. Key advantages include schedule flexibility, research creativity, and intellectual ownership. However, challenges such as poor work-life balance, financial constraints, and the inherent difficulty of PhD work are also highlighted. The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a supportive mentorship to navigate these challenges.

What is one of the main advantages of a PhD mentioned in the video?

• Shorter working hours

• Guaranteed job placement

• Schedule flexibility

• High salary

What is a common issue faced by PhD students regarding work-life balance?

• Excessive free time

• Unclear boundaries between work and personal life

• Lack of work

• Too many vacations

How does the speaker describe the role of creativity in PhD research?

• It is not important

• It is an inherently creative pursuit

• It is discouraged

• It is limited to certain fields

What financial challenge is highlighted for PhD students?

• High tuition fees

• Low stipends compared to cost of living

• Expensive textbooks

• Costly lab equipment

What is a benefit of intellectual ownership in a PhD program?

• No need for collaboration

• Fixed project guidelines

• Complete control over project direction

• Guaranteed publication

What is a significant challenge of doing a PhD according to the speaker?

• Abundance of resources

• Lack of mentors

• Easy workload

• Inherent difficulty of research

Why does the speaker prefer mentors over interesting projects?

• Projects are always easy

• Mentors help navigate difficult times

• Projects are not challenging

• Mentors provide financial support