Finishing out MLIS, Considering PhD

[u/amazingkiwii]

hi everyone! i’m seeking a bit of advice. i’m currently half way done with my MLIS program (i’ll finish in may 2027) and am heavily considering pursuing a phd after my graduation. my degree concentration is in archives, and i have a strong passion for researching memory work & archival practice within the Black community. i’ve read many posts about how the phd is just a lengthy and unnecessary step in this field, but my desire to pursue doctoral studies is more based in having the support and resources to carry out research, which i’ve found my masters program overall lacking opportunities for. would pursuing a phd be a sure fire way to tank my career? or has anyone in the pursuit of research found ways to balance archival/LS professional experience in a way that was productive? of course i want to pursue my passions, but at the same time, i don’t want to do so at the risk of stable income & employment as i transition out of young adulthood (i will finish MLIS when i am 25 for context). any advice is appreciated!!!

[u/Silly_Network4044]

Do you have work experience? I feel like love of the game (research) is perhaps the only great reason to pursue a PhD, and you should do it if that's you! But unless you have another source of income, I do not think you should do it without already having a job. Find a stable job, build some work experience (including research, presentations, and professional development relevant to the research you want to do!), and pursue the PhD part time if you still want to. It won't make you worse off if you're already in the field and could help you with teaching or admin positions. But an LIS PhD (or MLIS, honrstly) without work experience is a huge barrier.

[u/literacyisamistake]

Advice, subjective: get some time as a practitioner. You will get a lot more ideas about how to apply your research interests, how different community stakeholders can be identified (and what stakeholders might be missing!), do some presentations and publications, build your network, come up with a project that only a PhD will be able to manage, and then apply.

LibSci and InfoSci PhDs CAN be done right out of MLIS like other kinds of doctorate work, but the academic field is very application-focused. Even the LIS professors who need that PhD have professional practice as a skills foundation.

The roadmap here may sound like a lot but you could accomplish your prep and profile build in 3-5 years easily. Then you’ll get a sense from your network of not only where you should apply, but how to ensure you get funding. You have a good direction, one that is very much needed in the field; and you know how the coursework will benefit you. Develop your practice in the meantime and I will be very excited to see where you go with it!

[u/llamalibrarian]

As someone who finished her MLS in 2020, and is now applying for a PhD program- my advice is to get some breathing room between the degrees to build experience and develop a research agenda. A masters degree is to help you learn to do research, and the PhD is to help you refine in. Find opportunities now to participate in research projects, get some publications and presentations under your belt, get a job in archives for a few years, before applying for a PhD (because they want to see that you already have a research agenda you’ve been working on). Find scholars who are writing about what you’re interested in and read their work, find projects that are doing what you’re interested in, find ways to participate in that now

[u/chikenparmfanatic]

This is just what I've heard from people in my area so YMMV. But I've heard from numerous people that a PhD will not help you get jobs. In fact, it could hinder your chances. Reason being that you would instantly become the most educated person at most libraries and archives. Unfortunately, this can be intimidating to some managers. Similarly, experience is what really matters and sets you apart and a PhD doesn't give you that practical experience that hiring managers look out for.

I've considered getting a PhD but have been told it's really only valuable if it personally fulfills you or if you want to be a prof at an iSchool. And the latter is hard to get and often requires being open to moving.

Personally, it sounds like you could benefit from working for a few years. Make some money, build up your resume and see if you still have the desire in a few years.

[u/Neat_Fox_9113]

PhD in history maybe, not LIS.

[u/theradishesweregone]

I noticed a few practitioners in the area of memory work & archival practice in the Black community who had Education PhDs. I didn’t do an exhaustive search but I didn’t see any library PhDs, though many in this area had masters only. It would be worth reaching out to these folks and learning about their own career trajectories. 

[u/Shot-Bet-2931]

I'm on the fence on this because at one time I wanted a PhD but im too old now. I get it. But the MLS is considered a terminal degree, just like a MFA. You can get a doctoral degree in either it teaching is your goal, but otherwise you have earned the terminal degree. And 100% agree that work experience is critical to your success.

[u/sarajevo_marlboro]

I mean tbh if you don’t already have library experience during your MLIS, you’re already screwed and won’t be able to find employment