I am considering entering a doctoral program and curious about what life is like after earning a doctorate! Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
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I hold a doctorate in leadership. After leaving the classroom to work in district-level and school-level administration, I found the roles unsatisfying and chose to return to teaching. Now, I apply the skills I acquired in leadership roles to my work in the classroom. Additionally, I teach college courses and participate on a committee for a certification test.
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I hold a PhD in educational psychology and work for a testing company where my primary role involves developing new assessment ideas and leading small teams to prototype and test them. It’s important to note that in the research field, a PhD is just the start; its significance largely depends on factors like your advisor, the quality of your thesis, and your publication record.
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A PhD is valuable if you aim to teach at the postsecondary level, particularly in US colleges of education, and if you have experience as a K–12 teacher. It’s also highly beneficial for those pursuing careers in consulting or non-profit administration within the education sector. Conversely, an educational doctorate (EdD) is advantageous if you are already part of the K–12 system and plan to advance within it. Although generally regarded as less prestigious, an EdD from a reputable institution is preferable to an online PhD. The PhD is often seen as more prestigious and offers more opportunities due to its longer and more rigorous nature. If your PhD research focuses on a current critical field (such as authentic assessment, mobile technology, alternative scheduling, or health), it can pave the way for a consulting career in strategic planning and professional development with schools worldwide. From my experience serving on review committees for both PhD and EdD candidates, those pursuing a PhD tend to quit more often but usually secure better positions if they complete the program.
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I finished my master’s degree a few years back. One of my friends earned her doctorate and spent several years teaching high school while continuously applying to universities. She eventually secured a position teaching math education and is thoroughly enjoying it.