The worst advice I ever received was, "Don't do that because you will be too old." I am 55 now and have come to realize that what keeps me young is my quest for knowledge and growth. We live to be 80-90-100 years old. If you have a passion for something, even if you are 70, go for it! Live with passion!
The best insight I've ever seen on this topic is this: the time is going to pass anyway. If you are 50 now, then in 10 years you will be 60, regardless of what you did in the intervening time. So you can be 60 and living the same life you are now, or you can be 60 and be living the life you want to live (or at least be 10 years closer to it).
This implies that the only reason to do a PhD is to be an academic. I’m in the second year of my PhD. At this time, I am not imaging entering an academic career. Rather, completing a PhD is for me formalising the research skills that I have learnt on the job, coupling this with 20 plus years of real world experience and producing a thesis in an area of practice that I am deeply passionate about. It’s my significant and original contribution to a field I love, before I say “thank you for everything” and sail off onto the sunset of retirement
That's a very good point Catherine. Indeed, although most PhD students still aspire to an academic career, this is by no means a given. One of my best research students was a retired consultant who did exactly what you are doing, published two article, and thoroughly enjoyed the process before retiring.
The underlying premise of doing a PhD is to contribute knowledge to the world, so it is immaterial as to the age at which you complete it and publish. If you're using it as a steppingstone to academia or any other career, or just for the sake of it, that's fine. We all have our motivations and advanced age should be no barrier. My motivation was multilayered, with the timing and conditions finally giving me the opportunity I hadn't had until then.
I started my master's at age 45 and my doctorate at age 49 while working full time. To be honest, I found both journeys to be far more rewarding and, dare I say, fun compared to my undergraduate journey due to the decades of hands-on industry experience that I already had at the time. Sure, I still had to put in loads of elbow grease and time management had always been a challenge due to my career. However, I found that my long career in the field contributed greatly to my critical analyses, papers, thesis and dissertation, while everything I learned from the discussions and literature contributed significantly to how I perform at work as a dept director. With a doctorate degree I have the option to teach when I retire from my lifelong career, bringing to the table something very few of my professors and lecturers were able to bring - several decades' worth of actual, hands-on, real-world industry experience.
My first degree was undertaken in the 1980s. The sheer hell of trying to get readings, queueing up for books in stack at the library only to find others had got there before you and none of the books were available for the rest of the semester. Trailing in to the uni only to watch lectures on video and not being able to give them your full attention because you had to spend the time scribbling notes, which you then had to rewrite afterwards to make any sense of them later. Rewriting essays by hand numerous times as you edited. Doing research manually in crowded libraries. Compared to today where I'm doing it all online from the comfort of my own home, with the chance to download transcripts and editing electronic essays - it's luxury. So much easier and more enjoyable.
I am 49 years old. I started my journey in 2018 and now 4 years. I love teaching and sharing. I bring to class 18 years of hospitality experience. And yes I feel exactly what you mention. Going back to be seen as junior when you did already so much to become a leader in the corporate world is the most important lesson of humility. Last but not least, your creativity and content richness from your life experience creates and colors everything you do. So you bring to life the power of conversations that connect and build better and more prepared students. Do all Universities understand that?... Thanks for this.
Unfortunately, not all universities do appreciate this. But as I discuss here (th-cam.com/video/kexmz9pBmaA/w-d-xo.html) there are many different types of universities. Finding a job that suits you is all about finding the right "fit", about finding your "happy place". Have a look at the top-3 mentoring tips in this blogpost: harzing.com/blog/2022/01/ib-frontline-interview-mentoring-section
Without telling my own full story, I just want to say I agree with you about humility. It might be a cliche, but like you I also found out recently that being genuinely humble is the key to learning new things. It's hard to do when we become older and rise in seniority in our jobs. Don't use your title, don't mention your past positions and ranks. Just lower yourself and learn. When we think we are better than the others is when we stop learning.
I have started my PhD later in my life through Middlesex University! This has been one of the best decisions of my life and doing my PhD now, after years of working in the industry, is definitely the right time for me! I have attended a number of Anne-Wil Harzing's presentations and seminars - such a wealth of knowledge and so inspirational!
Absolutely delighted to hear this. Not sure who you are (you didn't leave a name), but I am really happy that you have such a good experience at Middlesex University. Its practice-based approach means our doctoral degrees can be a great segue to a new professional career too.
@@HarzingAcademicResources apologies, i was accessing this from my work account. It is Sarah Dalrymple and I am a current PhD student and have attended a number of your live and recorded session
WHAT FOR? I am unemployed 5 years after my PhD in LAW in Switzerland - I am the author of 8 books, more than 1200 citations, 4 degrees, fluent in 4 languages, a lot of connections and I am unemployed person! I applied for 2200 positions without any success.
this is why I'm doing mine at an advanced age. There are very few jobs in my field of interest and certainly no stable, permanent roles, so I had to wait until I retired and no longer needed a job.
@@nom278 The competition for academic jobs is just that intense. And the number 1 question that universities ask about any candidate is "will this person be able to bring in grant money to the university?" Everything else is a secondary consideration. That being said, I'm sure that the original commenter could find gainful employment if he looked outside of academia.
I begin my PhD journey at 50+ and had been teaching part time for many years and with now over 35+ years industry experience. Last year, I was offered a faculty position at a top university and I was about to finish my PhD journey. I just finished my viva and corrections and expected to graduate this year. Wouldn’t love this strategic plan any more as I moved to my 7th career.
Her statement [not verbatim] 'you cannot have multiple careers' somewhat agrees with my observations. Those who succeed in their career only have one - Industry or Academe. Those who have are more of an exception.
Not so. My 37 year old daughter had one career in one field in industry and is now in her second career in academia in a different field. She currently holds a full-time, permanent teaching fellow position at a university. It is possible.
I am 58 year Chartered Accountant and CPA having corporate experience , living in India, I think to start PHd now from US? Is it possible and permissible
There are universities in Australia and the UK that accept students from overseas and allow you to complete your entire undergrad, and/or postgrad online, provided you meet the entry requirements/standards. My university is one of them. The only catch is, it will cost you significantly more than if you are a citizen of that country.
The worst advice I ever received was, "Don't do that because you will be too old." I am 55 now and have come to realize that what keeps me young is my quest for knowledge and growth. We live to be 80-90-100 years old. If you have a passion for something, even if you are 70, go for it! Live with passion!
Indeed!!! I am older than you are and I cannot imagine not continuing to improve my knowledge and challenge my brain.
The best insight I've ever seen on this topic is this: the time is going to pass anyway. If you are 50 now, then in 10 years you will be 60, regardless of what you did in the intervening time. So you can be 60 and living the same life you are now, or you can be 60 and be living the life you want to live (or at least be 10 years closer to it).
This implies that the only reason to do a PhD is to be an academic. I’m in the second year of my PhD. At this time, I am not imaging entering an academic career. Rather, completing a PhD is for me formalising the research skills that I have learnt on the job, coupling this with 20 plus years of real world experience and producing a thesis in an area of practice that I am deeply passionate about.
It’s my significant and original contribution to a field I love, before I say “thank you for everything” and sail off onto the sunset of retirement
That's a very good point Catherine. Indeed, although most PhD students still aspire to an academic career, this is by no means a given. One of my best research students was a retired consultant who did exactly what you are doing, published two article, and thoroughly enjoyed the process before retiring.
The underlying premise of doing a PhD is to contribute knowledge to the world, so it is immaterial as to the age at which you complete it and publish. If you're using it as a steppingstone to academia or any other career, or just for the sake of it, that's fine. We all have our motivations and advanced age should be no barrier. My motivation was multilayered, with the timing and conditions finally giving me the opportunity I hadn't had until then.
I started my master's at age 45 and my doctorate at age 49 while working full time. To be honest, I found both journeys to be far more rewarding and, dare I say, fun compared to my undergraduate journey due to the decades of hands-on industry experience that I already had at the time. Sure, I still had to put in loads of elbow grease and time management had always been a challenge due to my career. However, I found that my long career in the field contributed greatly to my critical analyses, papers, thesis and dissertation, while everything I learned from the discussions and literature contributed significantly to how I perform at work as a dept director. With a doctorate degree I have the option to teach when I retire from my lifelong career, bringing to the table something very few of my professors and lecturers were able to bring - several decades' worth of actual, hands-on, real-world industry experience.
Great to read about your positive experience. I am sure it will be an inspiration to many.
My first degree was undertaken in the 1980s. The sheer hell of trying to get readings, queueing up for books in stack at the library only to find others had got there before you and none of the books were available for the rest of the semester. Trailing in to the uni only to watch lectures on video and not being able to give them your full attention because you had to spend the time scribbling notes, which you then had to rewrite afterwards to make any sense of them later. Rewriting essays by hand numerous times as you edited. Doing research manually in crowded libraries. Compared to today where I'm doing it all online from the comfort of my own home, with the chance to download transcripts and editing electronic essays - it's luxury. So much easier and more enjoyable.
I am 49 years old. I started my journey in 2018 and now 4 years. I love teaching and sharing. I bring to class 18 years of hospitality experience. And yes I feel exactly what you mention. Going back to be seen as junior when you did already so much to become a leader in the corporate world is the most important lesson of humility. Last but not least, your creativity and content richness from your life experience creates and colors everything you do. So you bring to life the power of conversations that connect and build better and more prepared students. Do all Universities understand that?... Thanks for this.
Unfortunately, not all universities do appreciate this. But as I discuss here (th-cam.com/video/kexmz9pBmaA/w-d-xo.html) there are many different types of universities. Finding a job that suits you is all about finding the right "fit", about finding your "happy place". Have a look at the top-3 mentoring tips in this blogpost: harzing.com/blog/2022/01/ib-frontline-interview-mentoring-section
Without telling my own full story, I just want to say I agree with you about humility. It might be a cliche, but like you I also found out recently that being genuinely humble is the key to learning new things. It's hard to do when we become older and rise in seniority in our jobs. Don't use your title, don't mention your past positions and ranks. Just lower yourself and learn. When we think we are better than the others is when we stop learning.
I have started my PhD later in my life through Middlesex University! This has been one of the best decisions of my life and doing my PhD now, after years of working in the industry, is definitely the right time for me! I have attended a number of Anne-Wil Harzing's presentations and seminars - such a wealth of knowledge and so inspirational!
Absolutely delighted to hear this. Not sure who you are (you didn't leave a name), but I am really happy that you have such a good experience at Middlesex University. Its practice-based approach means our doctoral degrees can be a great segue to a new professional career too.
@@HarzingAcademicResources apologies, i was accessing this from my work account. It is Sarah Dalrymple and I am a current PhD student and have attended a number of your live and recorded session
@@sdconsultancy5695 Great to hear that Sarah. Will look at for you in future sessions.
WHAT FOR? I am unemployed 5 years after my PhD in LAW in Switzerland
- I am the author of 8 books, more than 1200 citations, 4 degrees, fluent in 4 languages, a lot of connections and I am unemployed person! I applied for 2200 positions without any success.
Really sorry to hear this.
this is why I'm doing mine at an advanced age. There are very few jobs in my field of interest and certainly no stable, permanent roles, so I had to wait until I retired and no longer needed a job.
I find this hard to believe..... forgive me but with a CV like that you should have unlimited opportunities...
@@nom278 The competition for academic jobs is just that intense. And the number 1 question that universities ask about any candidate is "will this person be able to bring in grant money to the university?" Everything else is a secondary consideration. That being said, I'm sure that the original commenter could find gainful employment if he looked outside of academia.
I begin my PhD journey at 50+ and had been teaching part time for many years and with now over 35+ years industry experience. Last year, I was offered a faculty position at a top university and I was about to finish my PhD journey.
I just finished my viva and corrections and expected to graduate this year.
Wouldn’t love this strategic plan any more as I moved to my 7th career.
Interesting!
I started mine when i was 39 and I will submit this month. It wasn’t easy trip but hoping to find opportunities in the short run.
Congrats! All the best for the future!
Ageism. It exists EVERYWHERE. I wonder how this will change when life extension becomes more and more powerful.
Sure, but at least in academia grey hairs signal wisdom ;-)
Her statement [not verbatim] 'you cannot have multiple careers' somewhat agrees with my observations. Those who succeed in their career only have one - Industry or Academe. Those who have are more of an exception.
Definitely an exception David, but only when done concurrently. I have seen many being very successful when taken on consecutively.
Not so. My 37 year old daughter had one career in one field in industry and is now in her second career in academia in a different field. She currently holds a full-time, permanent teaching fellow position at a university. It is possible.
You misheard her. She said "you *can* have multiple careers."
Recently I was admitted to a Bachelor 's Degree Program and the Visa was denied because of my age.
Sorry to hear that.
I am 58 year Chartered Accountant and CPA having corporate experience , living in India, I think to start PHd now from US? Is it possible and permissible
Hi, you would need to ask that question to an academic based in the US.
@@HarzingAcademicResources yes if possible
There are universities in Australia and the UK that accept students from overseas and allow you to complete your entire undergrad, and/or postgrad online, provided you meet the entry requirements/standards. My university is one of them. The only catch is, it will cost you significantly more than if you are a citizen of that country.