Ph.D Detrimental In Private Sector Employment?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jagmct1, Jun 28, 2006.

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  1. jagmct1

    jagmct1 New Member

    Hello Everyone,

    What's your feelings and thoughts about having a Ph.D, but remaining in the private sector employment arena and only wanting to teach on a part-time basis.

    I've heard many schools of thought, including that of my father who's a Ph.D holder and has recommended me to not pursue this, due to the Ph.D holders being put into an over qualified sector. I've heard this theory from many Ph.D's who if they knew then what they know now, they would have stopped at the master's level. For these individuals, the time and energy spent on the Ph.D ended up being more harm than help and remaining in unemployment for an extended amount of time.

    I already have an MBA from a (NA) school and would like to option to teach online classes someday. I'm thinking about pursuing a (RA) master's to have the option available. I realize you'd only be able to teach undergraduate level courses, but this would not bother me.
     
  2. eric.brown

    eric.brown New Member

    For me, my PhD will be used as a credential in my consulting practice and as a way to gain entry into the local state schools, comm. colleges and/or DL programs as an adjunct.

    If I were planning on remaining in a corproate environment as an employee, I don't think I'd get the PhD...I'd probably stop after I finish my MBA. However, the PhD, my background, publications and areas of focus will server me well on my own as a consultant.
     
  3. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I am going for a PhD to teach part-time. If that was not my goal, I would be going for a masters from a school with a stonger name like – University of Florida or something local and known.
     
  4. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    If I were in your situation, I would get the PhD, and put it on my resume/CV when applying for teaching positions, and leave it off when applying for other positions.

    -=Steve=-
     
  5. jagmct1

    jagmct1 New Member

    Re: Re: Ph.D Detrimental In Private Sector Employment?

    But, isn't omitting educational credentials from your resume an integrity issue? This type of practice may not work so well or may come across very negative from an employers perspective. If you think about it, you hire someone with a master's and then after that individual is employed, the employer does some research say on Google and find that you acutally have a doctorate. I'm thinking this technique may not work to your benefit.

    I've thought about just omitting the Ph.D from your resume, but at the same time you don't want to hide from it. You work too hard to achieve it, then your having to tip-toe around who should see it and who shouldn't.

    I'm also looking at it from the persepctive of a second master's may only take a year to 18 months to complete. The doctorate will take a solid four years and then some to complete. You can still teach with the master's.
     
  6. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Re: Re: Re: Ph.D Detrimental In Private Sector Employment?

    Omitting college degrees has nothing to do with an applicants integrity. If I apply for a job as a manager trainee at McDonalds, then I'll use my BS in business management, but will omit my MA in criminology. If I apply for a job as a chief of a police department, then I'll include the MA in criminology, as well as the DBA in criminal justice administration. As an extreme example, I would certainly not include esoteric training in "Interviewing and Interrogations" if I'm applying to be a stockbroker, an office manager or an executive at a corporation. :eek:

    It is only necessary to present your credentials that qualify you for the job you are seeking.

    My .02
     
  7. Jigamafloo

    Jigamafloo New Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Ph.D Detrimental In Private Sector Employment?

    I don't know...based on my own work experience, "interviewing and interrogations" seems to be MANDATORY training for most office managers and executives.:D
     
  8. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I asked an HR person and they said they have a problem when people list degrees that they do not have. Not the other way around.
     
  9. PhD2B

    PhD2B Dazed and Confused

    As far as HR is concerned, you are correct. As far as hiring managers are concerned, the doctorate is often times looked upon as overkill and should only be used on a resume if it is desired or required for the position, after all, resumes should be limited to no more than two pages and, personally, I have to leave off a lot of stuff to get mine down to two pages. There is nothing unethical with leaving it off if you think it will hinder your chances of getting a position. But, if asked, you should never deny the fact that you have one. That would be unethical.

    How true. :D
     
  10. foobar

    foobar Member

    It CAN raise issues when one fails to list degrees that they don't have.

    In some cases an HR person may question WHY a degree was not listed, and start to wonder what else was left off the application.
     
  11. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Is this what you really meant to say? :D
     

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