Do You Have The Itch?
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| If you are visiting this website, you likely have an itch. A thought keeps popping up in the back of your head saying, "I want a new job and I think I would enjoy teaching" or maybe "Man, my professors have a great life." Whatever the voice says to cause that itching, you need to scratch it. For many of you, a quick scratch of finding out what a Ph.D. entails is more than enough to quiet that voice. For the rest of you, you have just started on an incredible journey.
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| A doctoral degree differs from all other educational degrees. It is the highest, most prestigious academic achievement available. Once earned, the doctoral degree opens many exciting doors. In accounting, and many other disciplines, a doctoral degree is required to work as a university professor. There is little reason to earn a Ph.D. in accounting (and most other business school disciplines) if one does not want to work as a professor. Thus, the Ph.D. is a means to an end, with the end being working in a university setting.
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| The work of a university professor has many interesting and unique characteristics (we discuss three):
First, professors are constantly learning. Professors spend the majority of their time teaching and researching. Both of these acts are rooted in learning and sharing your learning with others. If you enjoy learning about the world around you, and are excited about asking questions, finding answers, and sharing what you learn with others then you will likely enjoy earning a Ph.D.
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| Second, professors want to make a difference in the world. In the classroom, professors are role models to their students and teach students how to make the world a better place. Professors stand as guides, helping students discover who they are, what they believe, and what they want to become. This is an intensely satisfying part of our work. The research process is similarly one of trying to make a difference in the world. Research is an attempt to understand and find truth with the hope that greater understanding can lead to improvements in how mankind lives. The act of researching is therefore a service activity to promote the greater good in this world.
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| Third, life as a professor is full of flexibility. Not only do professors largely work when and where they want, but they also choose what they do. Professors are constantly engaging in different activities--research, teaching, service--so that every day is new and exciting. Those who are self-motivating and can work in an unstructured environment thrive with these flexible working arrangements. In addition to flexibility at work, academics have tremendous flexibility for family time. Professors do work long hours, but they get to choose when to work those hours.
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| So, do you still have that itch? If you love learning, want to make a difference in the world, and want flexibility, a doctorate degree will help you reach your goals.
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