PhD enrollment is declining globally, driven by several factors. The demanding nature of doctoral programs, coupled with often-meager stipends and uncertain career prospects outside academia, is deterring potential applicants. Many are opting for higher-paying jobs in industry directly after their master's degrees. Additionally, concerns about work-life balance, mental health, and the increasing pressure to publish are contributing to this trend. While some fields, like engineering and computer science, remain attractive due to industry demand, the overall appeal of doctoral studies is diminishing as alternative career paths become more appealing.
A Nature survey of over 7,600 postdoctoral researchers across the globe reveals that over 40% intend to leave academia. While dissatisfaction with career prospects and work-life balance are primary drivers, many postdocs cited a lack of mentorship and mental-health support as contributing factors. The findings highlight a potential loss of highly trained researchers from academia and raise concerns about the sustainability of the current academic system.
Hacker News commenters discuss the unsurprising nature of the 40% postdoc attrition rate, citing poor pay, job insecurity, and the challenging academic job market as primary drivers. Several commenters highlight the exploitative nature of academia, suggesting postdocs are treated as cheap labor, with universities incentivized to produce more PhDs than necessary, leading to a glut of postdocs competing for scarce faculty positions. Some suggest alternative career paths, including industry and government, offer better compensation and work-life balance. Others argue that the academic system needs reform, with suggestions including better funding, more transparency in hiring, and a shift in focus towards valuing research output over traditional metrics like publications and grant funding. The "two-body problem" is also mentioned as a significant hurdle, with partners struggling to find suitable employment in the same geographic area. Overall, the sentiment leans towards the need for systemic change to address the structural issues driving postdocs away from academia.
Summary of Comments ( 35 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43036428
Hacker News users discuss potential reasons for the PhD decline, citing poor academic job prospects, low pay compared to industry, and lengthy, often stressful, programs. Some argue that a PhD is only worthwhile for those truly passionate about research, while others suggest the value of a PhD depends heavily on the field. Several commenters point out that industry increasingly values specialized skills acquired through shorter, more focused programs, and the financial burden of a PhD is a major deterrent. Some suggest the "lustre" hasn't faded for all PhDs, with fields like computer science remaining attractive. Others propose alternative paths like industry-sponsored PhDs or more direct collaborations between academia and industry to increase relevance and improve career outcomes. A few commenters also highlight the potential impact of declining birth rates and the rising cost of higher education in general.
The Hacker News post "Are PhDs losing lustre? Why fewer students are enrolling in doctoral degrees" has generated a substantial discussion with a variety of perspectives on the declining PhD enrollment.
Several commenters point to the poor financial prospects of a PhD, especially compared to the opportunity cost of entering the workforce directly after a bachelor's or master's degree. They highlight the long years of relatively low stipends, followed by uncertain job prospects in academia with limited earning potential compared to industry roles. This financial calculation is seen as a major deterrent for prospective students, particularly in fields like STEM where lucrative industry jobs are readily available. Some commenters even label the PhD system as exploitative, with universities benefiting from cheap research labor while students incur substantial opportunity costs.
Another recurring theme is the perceived devaluation of the PhD itself. Commenters argue that an oversupply of PhD graduates has diminished their career prospects outside of academia, making the degree less attractive. The increasing prevalence of "PhD inflation," where doctoral degrees are required for positions that previously only needed a master's or even a bachelor's, is also discussed, with some suggesting it's a symptom of credential creep rather than a genuine need for highly specialized researchers.
The challenging and often stressful nature of PhD programs is also brought up. Commenters describe the intense pressure, long hours, and uncertain outcomes associated with doctoral research, leading to burnout and mental health issues. This, combined with the limited career prospects, paints a less than appealing picture of the PhD experience.
Some commenters offer alternative perspectives, emphasizing the intrinsic rewards of pursuing a PhD, such as intellectual stimulation and the satisfaction of contributing to knowledge. They suggest that the PhD is best suited for those with a genuine passion for research and a willingness to accept the associated challenges and uncertainties.
The discussion also touches upon the structural issues within academia, including the limited number of tenure-track positions, the increasing reliance on adjunct faculty, and the pressure to publish. These factors are seen as contributing to the precarious career paths faced by PhD graduates.
Finally, some commenters suggest alternative paths to research careers, such as working in industry research labs or pursuing a master's degree instead of a PhD. These options are presented as potentially more viable and less risky ways to engage in research without the drawbacks associated with the traditional PhD path. Several users specifically call out the value of a Master's degree as a more practical option for many aspiring researchers.
Overall, the comments on Hacker News paint a complex picture of the PhD landscape, highlighting both the challenges and the potential rewards. The discussion reflects the evolving perception of the PhD degree and the need for a more honest conversation about its value proposition in the current economic and academic climate.