The true cost of a PhD: a candid conversation
Part II
Mental health problem among Ph.D. students is much higher than other segments of a given population. For example, a study that compares Ph.D. students with other non-Ph.D. higher education students and highly-educated employees in the population finds that Ph.D. students are at a much higher risk of developing mental health problems than any of the other groups. The study also finds that 50% of Ph.D. students experience psychological distress, and about 33% experience psychiatric disorders, such as depression. A meta-evaluation study also shows a higher risk of anxiety and suicidal intention among PhDs. Another study shows the risk of anxiety and suicidal intentions are particularly worse among international Ph.D. students. The most cited reasons for higher mental health crises among PhDs are isolation, the unpredictability of the duration of a Ph.D. study, lack of support from supervisors, and job insecurity, to name some.
It is important for aspiring students to know beforehand that doing a Ph.D. could cause serious mental health problems. Such knowledge will enable them to be able to self-diagnose sooner and seek solutions. It is also comforting to realize that it is a problem faced by many and not just them. As my guest today emphasizes and from my personal experience, physical exercise and following a healthy diet could be useful coping strategies. Other coping strategies may include finding mentors other than supervisors, sharing the struggles with friends and family, and seeking professional support.
With this note, I invite you to read my conversation with Dr. Arega Shumetie, a Senior Researcher at the Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA).
Hiwot: How did you get the Ph.D. opportunity?
Dr. Arega: There was an opportunity to apply for a mobility Ph.D. program where I would spend half of the time at Makerere University (Uganda) and the other half at Haramaya University (Ethiopia). Even though I was supported by my University, where I was working as a Lecturer, to pursue the program; it was primarily my personal effort that helped me secure the opportunity.
Hiwot: How did you decide on what topic to work on? Walk us through your topic selection process.
Dr. Arega: I attended the annual international conference organized by the EEA where I saw a presentation titled “who will be the future farmer to grow our food.” I got inspired by the presentation and started thinking about working on a similar topic. I then started developing my idea in a way that is aligned with a more current and relevant agenda, i.e., climate change. I also made sure that my topic would be publishable and enable me to attend conferences. This is how I shaped my Ph.D. research topic.
Hiwot: What did you think was the most important step/action/decision that helped you succeed in completing your Ph.D.?
Dr. Arega: It is a personal effort. I was fully engaged in it. My focus day and night was on it. I always made sure I took the initiative to get feedback from my supervisors. If it was not for my hard work, initiative, and perseverance, I would not have finished my Ph.D. in time.
Hiwot: What is the one piece of advice you would give someone who is planning to do a Ph.D.?
Dr. Arega: Before anyone starts their Ph.D., they need to make sure that they are unrelenting, determined, and strong-willed. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for them and could lead to lots of stress and mental health issues. Also, if they are the type who gets bored easily, it will be a very challenging and long journey.
Hiwot: What skills do you advise students to acquire during their Ph.D.? (software, writing, non-academic skills, others), and how can they acquire them?
Dr. Arega: A Ph.D. holder should have proper data utilization, analytical, and coherent storytelling skills. Having finished a Ph.D., one should be able to conduct rigorous research independently. If someone gives them the opportunity to run a research project from scratch, they should be able to do it. It is also good if they have a specific area of specialization. I also advise students to learn other skills, such as a new language.
Hiwot: What is the one thing you regret that you did or did not do during your Ph.D.?
Dr. Arega: The one thing I could have done that I did not do is have more publications. If I had known, I could have written separate papers for each of my research questions instead of publishing all of them in one monograph. I could have also participated in more conferences, which would have given me the opportunity to network with other like-minded researchers.
Hiwot: What did you do to cope with the sometimes stressful and lonely path of doing a Ph.D.?
Dr. Arega: The main stress factors for me were lack of support from my supervisors; getting bored because of lack of diversity in my daily routines; missing my family when I was away in Makerere; adapting to the new culture and environment (I was even missing my 3 PM coffee I used to have in my home institution, Haramaya University); and my inability to see mistakes in my work (I used to think that my drafts are really good).
My coping strategy depends on the nature of the stress factor. For example, for the lack of support from my supervisors, I used to seek help from my friends. I remember before submitting the final version of my thesis, I sent it to five friends and got their feedback. For the rest of the stressors, my main coping mechanism was physical activity. I used to swim, walk, and go to the gym. I had a very consistent schedule with my workouts. I strongly recommend it to anyone doing a Ph.D.
Hiwot: What career advice would you give?
Dr. Arega: Travel as much as possible and participate in conferences. Attend short fellowship programs and actively try to network. It is also good if they try to complete the Ph.D. as quickly as possible otherwise, it could easily get boring.
