u/arkilljoy

Looking to hear from people who started a PhD after spending years in the workforce.

I’m now considering doing a PhD after working for almost 13–14 years. I completed my Master’s over a decade ago, and since then I’ve had a rewarding career.

I’m from a developing country and have spent most of my career in the development sector, working with well-known multilateral and bilateral international development organizations, including the United Nations. I’m currently in a good role at a good organization.

But I still really want to do a PhD.

I’ve mostly been looking at programs in Germany, though I’m also exploring options across the EU. This was something I wanted to pursue years ago, but then COVID happened, and life moved on. For a while, I felt I was already in a good position professionally without a PhD, but I’ve realized this is still something I genuinely want for myself. I’ve now started actively searching and have come across some really promising opportunities.

At the same time, my overactive mind keeps making me question everything.

For those who pursued a PhD after working for several years, how was the transition? Especially if you were already in a mid career professional role before starting - was it difficult adjusting to being a student again? And how did you manage the shift to living on a stipend?

For me, wanting to do a PhD is about becoming an expert in my field, while strengthening my problem-solving and critical thinking skills through independent, in-depth research.

Still, the idea of becoming a student again feels really daunting.

Looking to hear from people who started a PhD after spending years in the workforce.

I’m now considering doing a PhD after working for almost 13–14 years. I completed my Master’s over a decade ago, and since then I’ve had a rewarding career.

I’m from a developing country and have spent most of my career in the development sector, working with well-known multilateral and bilateral international development organizations, including the United Nations. I’m currently in a good role at a good organization.

But I still really want to do a PhD.

I’ve mostly been looking at programs in Germany, though I’m also exploring options across the EU. This was something I wanted to pursue years ago, but then COVID happened, and life moved on. For a while, I felt I was already in a good position professionally without a PhD, but I’ve realized this is still something I genuinely want for myself. I’ve now started actively searching and have come across some really promising opportunities.

At the same time, my overactive mind keeps making me question everything.

For those who pursued a PhD after working for several years, how was the transition? Especially if you were already in a mid career professional role before starting - was it difficult adjusting to being a student again? And how did you manage the shift to living on a stipend?

For me, wanting to do a PhD is about becoming an expert in my field, while strengthening my problem-solving and critical thinking skills through independent, in-depth research.

Still, the idea of becoming a student again feels really daunting.

Looking to hear from people who started a PhD after spending years in the workforce.

I’m now considering doing a PhD after working for almost 13–14 years. I completed my Master’s over a decade ago, and since then I’ve had a rewarding career.

I’m from a developing country and have spent most of my career in the development sector, working with well-known multilateral and bilateral international development organizations, including the United Nations. I’m currently in a good role at a good organization.

But I still really want to do a PhD.

I’ve mostly been looking at programs in Germany, though I’m also exploring options across the EU. This was something I wanted to pursue years ago, but then COVID happened, and life moved on. For a while, I felt I was already in a good position professionally without a PhD, but I’ve realized this is still something I genuinely want for myself. I’ve now started actively searching and have come across some really promising opportunities.

At the same time, my overactive mind keeps making me question everything.

For those who pursued a PhD after working for several years, how was the transition? Especially if you were already in a mid career professional role before starting - was it difficult adjusting to being a student again? And how did you manage the shift to living on a stipend?

For me, wanting to do a PhD is about becoming an expert in my field, while strengthening my problem-solving and critical thinking skills through independent, in-depth research.

Still, the idea of becoming a student again feels really daunting.