You can always justify completing a PhD program and earning a doctorate. There are always reasons why that’s a good choice.
That doesn’t make it always a good choice for you. You might be better off not finishing your program.
Like, sure, we can make a big list of folks who did PhDs and went on to have amazing careers in and outside academia. Don’t you want to be like them?
We can also make a big list of folks who didn’t complete their PhDs and went on to have amazing careers (mainly) outside academia. Why not join their ranks instead?
Do what moves *you* forward.
Here are some truths:
🎓 A bachelor’s degree is sufficient.
🎓 A master’s degree is sufficient.
🧪 The skills you’ve learned and experience you have is sufficient.
🎬 You are ready right now to begin preparing for (or working in!) your awesome career.
Don’t delay your life.
If you’re pondering whether completing your PhD makes sense for you, know that you have options and you have power over your life. You might have relatively limited power over your advisor or within your institution more generally (but more than zero, perhaps!). But you have a lot more power over your own life and career. And you can use that power to advocate for yourself within academia, if you want.
What do you need in order to stay and finish? If your program can’t provide what you need and deserve in life now and going forward, then that’s it: It’s time to go toward a situation where you can get those things. “Go toward” might mean staying put while you seek career advice, network, and apply for jobs. That’s totally legit.
Just keep moving forward.
