How an Online PhD Can Change Your Career Path

Many working professionals who have been proficiently practicing their trade, trade, or business for decades desperately want a change of scenery. Deep down, many of these restless souls harbor an intense unrequited curiosity about the big scheme of things. They want to know the “how” and the “why”; not just the “how to”.

Others, with a more pragmatic disposition, look for excellent credentials that are guaranteed to garner awe-inspiring, lucrative starting positions. Sit back, block out all distractions, and prepare your fingers for furious note taking. Today’s class is committed to comprehensive coverage of the many advantages of online doctorates.

Powerful career progression

A doctorate is the highest academic achievement. Those who wear this coveted credential enjoy prestige and recognition known only to a select few. Employers know it too. An online PhD immediately gives you immensely improved employment value.

Increased influence with business clients, increased corporate credibility and a vast expansion of job skills are just the beginning. These are just a few of the benefits companies gain from proudly presenting staff members as “Dr.” So-and-so.

doctoral distinction

Flexible schedules and uninterrupted employment are the main reasons for the prolific popularity of online master’s degrees. Although it offers indisputable advantages in the labor market, master’s degrees differ from doctoral studies. The master’s level curricula are oriented towards the practical application of the degree. By imparting practical skills combined with industry-specific theoretical knowledge, students are prepared for a relatively narrow range of occupational options.

PhDs, however, are much more theory-based. A broader nature of general knowledge is conveyed. For example, a sine qua non of virtually all doctoral programs is a dissertation. Students must complete a major and extensive research project before the degree is awarded. Such assignments can take years and must be presented before a panel of advanced scholars. These people definitely don’t play. They evaluate all aspects of the student’s exhaustive efforts in the harshest analytical light. Playing devil’s advocate, these theorists deliberately criticize the candidate’s work and force him to defend it.

This is in stark contrast to master’s thesis projects which generally require much less time. Master’s degree candidates are also not subject to the gruesome interrogation of their hard work. Consequently, PhD recipients gain skills that are attractive to a much broader base of employers. However, don’t be intimidated by this distinction.

If your heart’s desire and life’s work experience has been in nursing, for example, an online PhD may be just what the doctor ordered. It is the ideal recipe to redirect your focus. If applied as directed, it’s a quick shift from MSN practice to medical research into disease etymology.

Let’s say you’ve made a ton of dollars through the practical application of your keen MBA business acumen. Make a switch to the slower-paced satisfaction of educating young aspiring businesses. The door to many permanent academic positions will be thrown open for you.

Are you a burned-out lawyer on the grueling fast track to becoming a partner in a large corporate law firm? Perhaps your true interest has always been in public international law, but the debt burden of the student loans you received upon graduation from law school precluded this option.

Put an end to your misery with an online PhD in Comparative Law. Go find that glamorous government job you’ve always craved. Instead of being stuck in a boring 100-story downtown office, you gallop around the world to international conferences that affect international politics.

dollars start here

Okay, class, I won’t keep you on the edge of your seats any longer. Yes, PhDs generate huge financial rewards. A February 8, 2011 survey of nearly 500 PhDs in various occupational diversities was quite revealing:

Assistant Professor, Postsecondary/Higher Education $56,517

Associate Professor, Postsecondary/Higher Education $59,141

Associate Postdoctoral Researcher $43,755

Teacher, Postsecondary/Higher Education $93,853

Research Scientist $69,000

Research Scientist, Biotechnology $78,987

Physical Therapist (PT) $71,899

Visit payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Doctorate_(PhD)/Salary/by_Job for the full scoop.

Your relative safety is assured

In addition to tremendous earning potential, PhD holders enjoy superior job security. Most PhD-level employees work in well-established entities. National governments, prestigious educational institutions and large international research conglomerates are common employment arenas. It’s the best of both worlds. You get multiples of your previous salary combined with virtually guaranteed employment for life. When you finally go to the pastures, you will find them really very green; massive pensions are par for the course.

What are you waiting for? Time is of the utmost essence and equals money in the most literal sense. Jump on the bandwagon of greater job satisfaction. Not to mention the added financial appeal.