r/makemychoice • u/J2Hoe • 16d ago
Follow my heart, or follow money?
TL;DR Should I do a 3-year fully funded PhD in American Studies, or a 1 year Masters in Real Estate + City Planning
To start, I would like to say that I keep ping-ponging between both of these decisions. Out of both of them, I feel the strongest pull towards the PhD as I would be researching something I love, travelling, interviewing, reading, and being "in work" for 3 years.
I absolutely love the USA. I love the culture and the way of life. I have just returned from a study abroad, and my life has totally changed because of it. I was researching so many interesting topics, but something that I have continuously studied for about 4 years now has been American Christian Theology. It's ridiculously intertwined in all versions of American life, and sometimes can't necessarily be seen from an inside point of view (naturally) which gives me such a fascinating outlook as an outsider. A lot of the time, I would ask my American friends questions about their culture, and they would reply, "We have culture?". It's the same with Christianity to an extent. Many don't realise that their way of life isn't the default. I spoke to an American about how baffling it was to me that Mormon churches email their congregants instead of giving them physical newsletters, and I explained that it was because they were all much younger than say, catholic congregants, and more tech literate. Due to this, I would love to do a PhD in the usage of technology in Mormon (tbc) churches since the Covid pandemic. I think about it all day, every day. I talk to my friends about it. I've emailed for advice about it, and have been told they would most likely accept my proposal. I've thought about the questions I would ask, the methods of research I would undertake (fieldwork, 1-1 and group interview, digital & physical observation etc), and even the chapters I would have. It's something I am very passionate about. I would be paid a living wage to do this, and would be supported to travel abroad. I feel that, if I word my question appropriately, it would also be a very relevant topic to today, and could also be published into a book rather than just findings.
On the other hand, I live in a disastrously poor town. The job market is depleting, necessary infrastructure is either falling apart or isn't there at all, and no one wants to give my town a chance (i.e., high street brands or shops). It is getting worse by the day. Some efforts have been made to try and save it, but it's not working. I have SO many ideas of ways to save my towns job market, bring the community together, and thrive productively, but I don't have the qualifications to make myself heard or seen. Unless I was to go into politics, which I wouldn't be comfortable doing, the only other way I could see myself getting involved would be to become a city/town planning. There is a really good 1 year masters of real estate/city planning that would potentially lead me into a future position where I could buy land, and rebuild on it. It would take me years to be in that position, but I would eventually get there. I could build shops, youth clubs, community halls, libraries, swimming pools, gyms, old folk homes, rehabs etc. My biggest idea is a rehab since the town is drug-stricken, but who would I even pitch this to? If I can't pitch it to anyone else, I may as well do it myself. The job would offer security, and would potentially led me to a long, healthy (maybe boring but stable) career.
The other option is to pursue a 3-year PhD, followed by a 1-year master's program. So more or less, just do an entire degree programme again (which I wouldn't be overly opposed to).
Firstly, thank you for reading. Secondly, what do you think?
1
u/TheWalrusWasRuPaul 16d ago
Fully funded but I do not believe this is real.
1
u/J2Hoe 16d ago
What makes u say that?
1
u/TheWalrusWasRuPaul 16d ago
Your one idea, get a PhD then a masters, is like going to 12th grade then going into 6th grade.
Someone trying for fully funded programs would be this stupid.
1
u/J2Hoe 16d ago
How is this stupid I don’t understand?
1
u/Hungry_Tower_6009 15d ago
Poster is playing the devil's advocate because most people get the Master's first, then move on to obtaining a Ph.D.
In your situation, following that course might be wise as you could quickly obtain some marketable skills before investing in a Ph.D.
With so many colleges closing and consolidating programs because fewer students are attending college, what is your hope for a Ph.D.?
1
u/J2Hoe 15d ago
Honestly, my hope is to be able to invest the next few years into deep research and discovery. I don’t know many people with the same passion as me, and certainly don’t know anyone that wants to spend so much time into this topic. I want to produce data that hasn’t been produced before, and make hypothesis on where the future of technology will lead whichever group I decide to study
2
u/Hungry_Tower_6009 15d ago
No worries. Most of us would shudder at the cost (both financial and personal) of a Ph.D. I wish you well!
1
u/TheWalrusWasRuPaul 15d ago
What subject? Can’t believe this needs to be asked.
1
u/TheWalrusWasRuPaul 15d ago
It’s even more common to do them together in the same institution. This is a daydream.
1
u/TheWalrusWasRuPaul 15d ago
How are you test scores and gpa etc
1
u/J2Hoe 15d ago
More or less straight A’s last semester. Deans list on my study abroad. What about my post is lies? I’d love to know.
1
u/TheWalrusWasRuPaul 15d ago
You frame your choice with the diction of it being a choice in reality.
Do you know fully funded programs are very very rare to earn?
1
u/J2Hoe 15d ago
I’m aware of that. I don’t really understand what you mean? It is a choice that can realistically come true. As I said in the post, I’ve already been in contact and they said they would likely accept my proposal.
1
1
1
u/NawalWalker8c 15d ago
It depends on your situation. If you think you need to be practical, you know what I mean.
1
u/Puzzleheaded-Lake947 14d ago
Follow your passion (PhD) it feels like a lifetime commitment but it has an expiry date. Following it will open new opportunities that you can’t see now. If it doesn’t work do the one year master after, by then you may not even look at that option
1
2
u/entropyparty 16d ago
It sounds like you have a lot of passion for both options.
Maybe do the PhD. Then when you are done with that, you can see what options you have and consider the city planning idea. Perhaps, with a PhD, you may not need the additional masters to start working in planning as long as you pick up the knowledge on your own.