Although getting a university degree by no means guarantees that you’ll find a decent job, most people still think of it as the best way to broaden one’s horizons. It is no surprise – thanks to the internet, we can access valuable information on all the subjects we can think of, but not each one of us has the mental discipline to go through all the often intimidating material on their own.
Unfortunately, as much as we value individualism, sometimes it is easier to force yourself to study when there’s an exam waiting for you behind the corner than if you were to set the goals for yourself. However, even if you decide that you want to get a Ph.D. degree, there might be another issue: money. That’s why we have prepared this article; in a moment, you will learn how to get Ph.D. funding. Let’s go!
University Funding
According to the experts at Online-PhD-Degrees, it really depends on the field and the prestige of the institution, but a significant number of students don’t have to worry about funding their Ph.D. degree, as the university provides all the necessary money. That’s especially the case if the subject matter of your thesis is deemed interesting and potentially valuable to the university.
Remember that if it’s possible, most universities will attempt to help their students get their Ph.D. degree without worrying too much about the money, though even if there are no grants available, there are other options that you should consider.
Other Grants
Even if your university isn’t willing to fund your research, it is not the only solution. Nothing is stopping you from trying to find grants outside of your institution. Your research could seem promising to all types of organizations, including NGOs, other universities, though your Ph.D. could also be funded with the help of federal programs.
Even though your institution might not be able to provide the necessary funding, they might lend you a helping hand when it comes to finding an external entity that would help you focus solely on your project without having to worry about the money.
Work at Your Institution
Most universities offer postgraduate students positions such as TA (teaching assistant) or RA (research assistant), making it possible for them to earn enough money so that they can continue working on their thesis.
The work doesn’t take up too much of the students’ time – usually, postgraduate students work half-time jobs at their universities. At the same time, they can gain teaching experience, which might come in handy if they decide to continue working at their university later on.
Find a Job Outside of the University
If for some reason, finding a job as a teaching assistant or research assistant is not possible, and there are no institutions eager to fund your Ph.D. degree, you could always consider finding a part-time job. It’s not the ideal solution, as you would spend a lot of time engaged in activities unrelated in any way to your university pursuits.
At the same time, after a day’s work, your mind would be far from fresh, and focusing on your Ph.D. thesis would be much more difficult. However, sometimes it might be the only option, especially if your subject matter isn’t a part of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
Student Loans
Those who don’t have alternative funding options, but at the same time don’t want to take up any jobs outside of their university, might consider taking out a student loan. It should be only the last resort, as most universities do provide funding for their students. A student loan might seem like an easy way out of the situation, but remember that eventually, you’ll have to pay it back.
Theoretically, a student loan would be a better choice if you are pursuing a degree in a field that is likely to land you a well-paying job, but the truth is told, usually, it would mean that getting a grant for your research shouldn’t be an issue.
Is Pursuing a PhD Degree Worth It?
Although many people argue whether a PhD degree is really worth it, if you don’t intend to become a professor one day, it really depends on the field of study. Although it is true that you can find all sorts of guides or even paid courses on the internet, they might not be enough.
If you are interested in IT, or perhaps you would like to study the subject of influencer marketing, then a great majority of the knowledge that would be required to find a decent job could be acquired online.
However, it doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t benefit from pursuing, e.g., a computer science degree. On the other hand, if you would like to become a vet or a doctor, a PhD degree would be a necessity, as your potential employers wouldn’t risk hiring someone without being perfectly sure that they have the skills.
Before you enroll in a university course, you should conduct research to check whether you actually need a PhD degree to pursue a career in your field of choice. If it turns out that it’s not necessary, you won’t have to consider how to fund your degree in the first place.
Conclusion
Though there is much that could be improved about our higher education system, it doesn’t mean that getting a Ph.D. degree is not an excellent way to acquire in-depth knowledge about your subject of choice. Unfortunately, many young people will think twice before pursuing postgraduate studies, as it usually involves paying quite a lot of money.
However, it doesn’t mean that there is no solution to this issue, and in most cases, the students won’t have to find jobs outside of their university. A lot of institutions offer grants, but even if that’s out of the question, there are other ways to get a Ph.D. funding. We hope that after reading this article you are now one step closer to pursuing your dream career.
