Are you thinking about pursuing a Ph.D. in your early 20s? Beginning a Ph.D. program before the age of 26 can be an exciting and challenging endeavor. If you are considering graduate school or have been accepted into a Ph.D. program, here are some opportunities and challenges to be aware of:

The Advantages of Starting a Ph.D. in Your Early 20s

There are many advantages to beginning a Ph.D. program early on in life. I started my Ph.D. when I was 22 years old and here are some things I think are the best about starting that early:

1. Establishing Expertise as an Early-Career Ph.D.

If you are thinking about pursuing a Ph.D., it’s likely that there is an academic field that you want to specialize in. A Ph.D. is an opportunity to conduct extensive research and gain a deeper understanding of your chosen field. This understanding can position you as an expert in your field, especially compared to your peers who have only completed a bachelor or master’s degree in the subject.

During the program, you have the opportunity to collaborate with other experts in your field, publish new research in journals, and/or present your work at conferences. This will showcase the relevant knowledge, methods, and skills are you learning along the way.

My chosen field of study is cognitive science. I was always passionate about interdisciplinary research that focused on the human mind. When I started my Ph.D., I decided I wanted to conduct independent research on the science of internet memes. By producing, publishing, and sharing research on this novel topic, I am establishing myself early as a leading expert on the cognitive psychology of internet memes.

2. Making the Most of Networking Opportunities in a Ph.D. Program

Networking is an important skill to have for academia and beyond. Networking has a huge impact on your professional development, job opportunities, and future research funding.

Networking can help you to identify potential collaborators for research projects, which can lead to new discoveries, publications, and opportunities for collaboration in the future. Networking can also help you to feel more connected to your field, and to find a sense of community and belonging among like-minded individuals.

Building relationships with other researchers, professors, and professionals in your field can provide valuable opportunities for learning and professional growth. It can also provide access to new resources, tools, and knowledge that can be useful for your research. These individuals can also serve as role models, offer guidance, and provide advice on navigating the challenges of a Ph.D. program and the academic job market.

And of course, networking can help you to identify job opportunities and to learn about potential employers and career paths. It can also help to get your resume and research noticed by potential employers and increase your chances of getting a job after graduation.

Networking can be done by attending conferences, workshops, online seminars, or professional organizations dedicated to your field of study. In all of the networking opportunities I’ve had during my Ph.D., I have found something of incredible value.

My first event was held in the Global Digital Culture group at the University of Amsterdam where I learned about powerful web crawling techniques to collect massive amounts of social media data. A conference in the BiP group in Turin helped me discover an incredible research framework that explained most of my ideas on meme psychology. During a social dinner in Rovereto, I sat next to a mentor in cultural evolution who explained the traditions, opportunities, and challenges of working a discipline I never considered.

Starting a Ph.D. at a young age offers the chance to get to know people in your field early on. If you can establish and cultivate networking relationships, you can gain valuable insights and resources that can help you to advance your career. It is also an excellent opportunity to make friends with other Ph.D. students in your field around the country/world. The relationships you invest in during your Ph.D. program can have long-term benefits and can compound over time, making them a valuable asset as you progress in your career.

3. Young, Wild, and Free from Major Responsibilities

One of the best reasons to start a Ph.D. young is that you are likely to be free from major responsibilities. By the age of 26, you are likely to:

1. be unmarried,
2. not have children,
3. not own mortgage or a home,
4. not have aging parents in need of care,
5. Or have any other ties to your current circumstances.

This is, of course, a generalization. And many students with families, houses, and spouses successfully complete Ph.D. programs every year. But the advantage of starting young is that it offers more time to focus on the Ph.D., more flexibility during the course of the program, reduced stress, financial stability, and mobility

Without the added responsibilities, you have more time to dedicate to your professional and personal growth during your Ph.D. program. You have the flexibility to take on internships, visiting periods, and other opportunities that can help advance your career. You also have the mobility to pick the best Ph.D. program and supervisor for you, even if it means moving out of state or the country.

Without the financial burden of supporting a family, starting young offers some financial stability during your Ph.D. studies. The stress and pressure of being a Ph.D. student are also reduced when you are free from major obligations outside of your studies.

Because I’m undertaking my Ph.D. earlier in my life, I don’t have to worry about providing care for my parents, children, or spouse. I am comfortable limiting my short-term earning potential for a better career down the road and open to all the opportunities during my Ph.D. and after.

4. The Impact of a Ph.D. on Long-Term Career Prospects

Some consider doing a Ph.D. for the title of “Dr.”, but most do it for long-term career prospects. Ph.D. is typically considered the entry-level requirement for a professorship. The traditional pathway after graduation is to complete postdoctoral training before securing a tenure-track position at a university. However, a Ph.D. degree opens many other doors, and the career path can be tailored to your interests and aspirations.

If you are specializing in a profitable field, e.g. bioengineering, the deep understanding you gain during a Ph.D. program can increase your marketability for an industry position. However, just conducting research during your Ph.D. allows for a career in research and development to create new technologies, products, or services. Ph.D. graduates can also become entrepreneurs by starting their own businesses or spinoffs based on their thesis.

Before starting my Ph.D., I only had a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science and philosophy, which limited my competitive advantage in the job market, particularly during the pandemic. However, through my Ph.D. studies, I am now gaining valuable research skills such as statistical modeling with R, natural language processing with Python, and the ability to collaborate effectively with multiple people. Additionally, I am developing the ability to balance my research with other aspects of life.

By acquiring these skills before fully entering the job market, I am able to build a story around my personal brand, which will allow me to find an opportunity that aligns with my values and the skillset I’ve developed during my Ph.D.

Summary of Opportunities:

Starting a Ph.D. early in life can provide you with the time and resources to:

1. Build your expertise: By dedicating several years to advanced study and research, you will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills that are highly valued in academia and beyond.
2. Network: Building relationships with other researchers, professors, and professionals in your field can provide valuable opportunities for learning, professional growth, and access to new resources and knowledge.
3. Have an unencumbered pursuit: Starting a Ph.D. at a young age is beneficial as you may not have major responsibilities such as a family, children, or a mortgage, which can allow for a more focused and dedicated approach to the program.
4. Widen career prospects: A Ph.D. is a long-term investment in your career, with the traditional pathway for graduates being to secure a tenure-track position at a university after completing postdoctoral training. However, a Ph.D. degree opens many other doors and can be tailored to your interests and aspirations.

Overall, starting a Ph.D. early in life can give you a head start in your career and personal development and provide you with the time and resources to build a strong foundation for your future.

Navigating the Challenges of a Ph.D. in Your Early 20s

For all the advantages starting a Ph.D. early in life can offer, there are also some disadvantages that come from taking this responsibility

1. Self-Doubt, Social Isolation, and Stereotype Threat

Being a younger Ph.D. student opens the door to self-doubts, imposter syndrome, social isolation, and stereotype threat.

You may begin to doubt your abilities and question whether you are capable of completing a Ph.D. program. This self-doubt can lead to feelings of inadequacy, which can make it more difficult to focus on your studies and research.

You may start feeling like you don’t belong or that you don’t have the qualifications or experience to be in a Ph.D. program. This can lead to a lack of self-confidence, which can make it harder to take risks, ask for help, and to take advantage of opportunities.

You may feel socially isolated from your older peers, which can make it harder for you to form relationships, get support, and find a sense of belonging.

You may even feel a stereotype threat, a psychological threat that arises when you’re in a situation that could affirm negative stereotypes about a group to which you belong. For younger students, they can feel a stereotype threat to affirm the belief that young people are immature, irresponsible, and incapable of handling responsibilities, including academic ones.

This fear of confirming negative stereotypes can lead you to underperform in your studies as you focus on avoiding failure instead of achieving success. It could undermine your motivation to network at conferences or you may start to avoid your peers out of fear of not being accepted. All of this can take a toll on your mental health, causing stress, depression, or anxiety.

As a young black woman, I am familiar with being stereotyped based on my race and gender. However, during my time as a Ph.D. student, I found that the stereotype threat I faced most was that of being young. I felt that my professors and peers would think I was incapable, immature, untrustworthy of opinions, and unworthy of my position due to my age. This psychological threat was particularly prevalent at the start of my Ph.D. program, when I was first getting to know my peers. However, it still persists when I meet new people within the university. Unlike race or gender, age is not immediately visible, which makes me feel as if I am carrying an uncomfortable secret rather than something that is normal.

If you are thinking of pursuing a Ph.D. in your early 20s, you may encounter feelings of self-doubt, isolation, and stereotype threat. These negative emotions can be particularly strong at the beginning of the program, but may also arise throughout the course of your studies. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to build a supportive network of friends and mentors who recognize your potential and value your contributions beyond your age or other irrelevant factors. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and your capabilities can help to boost your confidence and motivation, and provide valuable guidance and support as you navigate the Ph.D. journey.

2. Long-Term Commitment to a Ph.D. in Your Early 20s

Pursuing a Ph.D. is a long-term affair. The shortest time frame for completing one is typically 3 years, which is common in Europe following a master’s degree. In the United States, the average length of time for a Ph.D. is 7 years. I am lucky to be enrolled in a 4-year program in Italy.

Dedicating your early adult years to a Ph.D. program requires making some personal and professional sacrifices. The program may limit your earning potential in the short term, as you will need to live off a limited income during your studies and forgo other income-generating opportunities in order to focus on your research and coursework.

A Ph.D. program also impacts your social life, as you may have to sacrifice your leisure time and activities for your research. The long-term commitment to a Ph.D. program can also take a toll on your mental health and lead to burnout early in life.

Pursuing a Ph.D. at a young age offers the potential for a head start in your career, but it also requires a significant long-term commitment. Before accepting a Ph.D. position, carefully consider whether you are prepared for the emotional and mental demands of the program, as well as the financial and time commitment required to complete it. A Ph.D. is a journey that requires perseverance and motivation to see it through to the end.

3. The Academic Bubble

If you are going to pursue a Ph.D. right after your undergraduate/master’s degree, you are going to stay in the “academic bubble”. The academic bubble is when an individual is immersed long-term in the academic world and isolated from the broader society and its concerns.

The academic bubble can make you feel disconnected from the outside world. You may not have opportunities to interact with people who are not academics, which can make it difficult to understand the perspectives and concerns of people outside of the academic community, especially if you transition to an industrial working culture.

Speaking of the industry, an academic bubble can limit your understanding of the job opportunities available to you outside of academia. You may not be aware of the skills you have developed that could be transferable to non-academic careers. It can limit your perspective on the real-world applications of your Ph.D. research and your understanding of the broader societal issues that your research may be relevant to.

The isolation and lack of diversity in the academic world can also lead to feelings of isolation and difficulty in finding a sense of belonging. It’s important to be aware of these challenges before starting a Ph.D. and actively work to engage with a broader community during your studies.

4. Pressure to Finish “On Time”

The pressure to finish the Ph.D. program “on time” can become a big mental challenge.

As a young Ph.D. student, you may still be in the process of figuring out what you want to do in life, and a strict timeline for completing the Ph.D. program may not align with your goals or aspirations. You may feel the pressure to conduct your research, write a thesis, and defend it by a certain deadline.

Additionally, in your early 20s, you are still developing your time management and organizational skills, which can make it difficult for you to balance the demands of the Ph.D. program with other aspects of your life such as maintaining relationships, physical and mental well-being, or pursuing other interests.

Furthermore, the pressure to finish on time may lead you to feel that you have to sacrifice your own interests and goals in order to meet the demands of the program. This can result in feeling like you have to work on projects or research areas that you are not passionate about in order to meet the requirements of the program.

This pressure can be stressful and can lead to a feeling of constant rush which can affect the quality of your work. It can lead you to neglect other aspects of your life such as your physical, mental, and emotional well-being as well as your relationships, which can lead to burnout and other negative consequences.

It is important to remember that the pressure to finish on time is not unique to a young Ph.D. student. All Ph.D. students, regardless of age, face this pressure. However, as a younger student, you may have less life experience to draw from and may find it harder to handle the stress that comes with this pressure.

Remember that it is not a failure to ask for help or to take a break when needed. It is important to prioritize your well-being throughout the Ph.D. journey, to be mindful of the signs of burnout, and take action to prevent it. This requires self-reflection, setting realistic goals, and seeking help when needed.

The path to success in a Ph.D. program can be unpredictable and often filled with challenges. To be successful, it is important to embrace uncertainty and to be comfortable with the unknown. Remember to have faith in your abilities as a researcher and not neglect other important areas of your life like physical, mental, and social well-being.

Summary of Challenges:

Before pursing a Ph.D. in your early 20s, it’s essential to be mindful of these challenges:

1. Self-Doubt, Social Isolation, and Stereotype Threat: As a young Ph.D. student, you may face self-doubts, imposter syndrome, social isolation, and stereotype threat. This can negatively impact your mental health and motivation. To overcome these challenges, it is important to build a supportive network of friends and mentors.
2. Long-Term Commitment: Pursuing a Ph.D. is a long-term commitment that may require sacrifices in earning potential and social life. It can also take a toll on mental health and lead to burnout. Before accepting a Ph.D. position, it is important to carefully consider whether you are prepared for the long-term commitment and the sacrifices that come with it.
3. The Academic Bubble: Being in an academic bubble can limit your perspective on the real-world applications of your Ph.D. research and the broader societal issues that the research may be relevant to. It can also make you feel disconnected from the outside world, limit your understanding of job opportunities outside of academia and lead to feelings of isolation and difficulty in finding a sense of belonging. It’s important to engage with your friends, family, and potential employers outside of academia to help you remember there is an external world.
4. Pressure to Finish “On Time”: The pressure to finish the Ph.D. program on time can be a big mental challenge, as a strict timeline may not align with your goals or aspirations. It can be difficult to balance the demands of the program with other aspects of life, leading to feelings of sacrifice, stress, and burnout. It’s important to prioritize well-being, set realistic goals, and seek help when needed

Conclusion

In conclusion, pursuing a Ph.D. degree in your early 20s can be a challenging but also rewarding experience. The opportunity to gain a head start in your career and to make meaningful contributions to your field of study is undeniable. However, the journey is not without its challenges.

Young Ph.D. students may face self-doubt, social isolation, stereotype threat, and pressure to finish on time. Additionally, being in the academic bubble for a long period of time can limit your perspective on real-world applications of your research and can make you feel disconnected from the outside world.

It is important to be aware of these challenges and to actively work to overcome them. Building a supportive network of friends and mentors, engaging with a broader community, and prioritizing your well-being throughout the Ph.D. journey are crucial steps to achieving success.

Remember to embrace uncertainty and to have faith in your abilities as a researcher. The Ph.D. journey may be long and rocky, but with the right mindset and support, it can lead to a fulfilling and successful career.