What are the pros and cons of a Ph.D?

I am 38, I have been working in the IT industry since finishing university studies 16 years ago. What would be the pros and cons of pursuing a PhD now?

• I have always wanted to pursue a PhD however I have never found the right opportunity to do so. I have spent a considerable time now out of academia but I have worked hard and I have held respectable mid level roles in some very well respected companies. I am motivated to push my academic skills as far as I can, I would like to use my time to create some original research and I would like some recognition that I can use in future career development and business prospects. I enjoy mentoring and teaching others in industry but I am not interested in tenured work in the slightest. What pros and cons are there for pursuing a part time masters degree that would lead straight into a doctorate? This would probably need to be taken via a distance learning programme.

• Answer:

  Hi i think its awesome you want to purpose further study. Especially if you just want to development a deeper understanding or for a career progression  I think now will be great for you. You have a wealth of experience so getting into back into academia will be a fresh new challenge. But i don't how how well prepared you are. I mean are you really confident this is what you want to do for the nest few years ? and financial are you also stable/ secure enough with leaving work ? Well if you take a part time degree that's fine because at least you can still work and you wont have gaps in your employment. The biggest challenge you will face is committing to the masters programme. lets say its 3 years or longer once you go on to PHD, you will have to hang in for all those years. So think about that and if you do decide this is what you want to do i think the most important thing is to make the most of the years. Make sure you produce quality assignments especially in terms of your dissertation. Get to know the lectures, don't be put off by all the youngster just make friends and share contacts. So i think just research the universities you want to go to because nowadays there're some really great programmes. I also think you should apply for January 2015 then during the next few months you can get everything in place.  All the best .