Too old for PhD?

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KatieB: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 11; Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 8:30 am; Location: Utah; GMAT Score:710

by KatieB » Mon May 17, 2010 7:25 am

Hi All -

I'm looking at getting a PhD, but I'm wondering if I'm too old. I will be in my early 50's at completion and feel I still have 15 years of work ahead of me until retirement.

I know this site is focused on the MBA degree - but does anyone have a feel for the job market at the university level?

Thanks!

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Lounge | Mon May 17, 2010 7:25 am

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beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 amFollowed by: 994 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times

by beatthegmat » Mon May 17, 2010 11:11 am

I don't think it's ever too late to pursue more education or a career change! But what would be your goal after getting your PhD? Do you want to become a professor, work in industry? And is retirement a must at 65?

All the best,

Eric

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KatieB: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 11; Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 8:30 am; Location: Utah; GMAT Score:710

by KatieB » Mon May 17, 2010 12:11 pm

My goal would be to get a job at a university or top/middle tier college. I love teaching, but look forward to research and publishing papers too. If I complete my PhD in four years, then I'll be 53 when I start looking for a tenure-track position. I figure that if I work until I'm 65 - 70 that would give the school that hires me 12 - 17 years of my research/teaching. Sounds like a fair trade-off to me, but not sure it the schools look at it this way.

Thanks!

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beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 amFollowed by: 994 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times

by beatthegmat » Mon May 17, 2010 12:17 pm

It might help to talk to a couple university departments to get their take on it. They may provide some better context on whether you'd be a good fit for their teaching/research positions.

Good luck!

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KatieB: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 11; Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 8:30 am; Location: Utah; GMAT Score:710

by KatieB » Mon May 17, 2010 3:35 pm

Eric -

Thanks for your respones and such a great website too! I do plan to call around to some schools and see what they say. I'll post what I find out, and also update the boards with whether I get into a PhD program too.

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beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 amFollowed by: 994 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times

by beatthegmat » Mon May 17, 2010 3:48 pm

Wonderful! Please keep us updated in your journey. And if you have any questions at all (prep or application related), don't hesitate to ask--our community is eager to help you.

All the best,

Eric

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