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Unlocking Possibilities: What Can You Do With a PhD in English?

The world of academia has long been associated with the pursuit of knowledge, scholarly research and teaching careers. For years, earning a PhD in English was almost synonymous with pursuing a career within academia. But, as the landscape of education and industry continues to evolve, so do the options available to English PhD graduates.

The assumption that an academic career is the sole path for English PhDs is shifting, revealing a multitude of exciting and rewarding alternatives.

Is a PhD in English on your to-do list? Get all the facts before you apply  — find out if a humanities PhD is worth it for you!

Shifting Focus: the State of Employment in Academia

Traditionally, tenure-track positions were the ultimate goal for aspiring academics. But the job market has become increasingly competitive, leaving a limited number of academic jobs for English Phds seeking employment. Moreover, the rise of adjunct positions, which offer less stability and fewer benefits, has created an environment where job security in academia is more elusive than ever — even well-qualified English PhDs can find themselves navigating through a maze of adjunct positions and temporary contracts. 

As a result, English PhDs are reconsidering the assumption that academia is their only option. This shift in academia’s landscape has sparked a conversation about the need to broaden career horizons and consider alternative paths that utilize the skills and knowledge gained during doctoral studies. 

Exploring Alternatives: English PhD Jobs Outside of Academia

The desire for stability and a healthier work-life balance is a driving factor for many scholars leaving academia. The uncertainty surrounding tenure-track positions, coupled with the pressure to publish prolifically and compete for dwindling opportunities, has led many to seek alternatives in various industries and fields. 

On the bright side, English PhDs are uniquely qualified to work in nearly any field and the skills acquired during their study are highly transferable. Critical thinking, research proficiency, effective communication and the ability to analyze complex narratives are all qualities that can be applied to a wide range of career options. 

The Expansive Landscape of Non-Academic Careers

While tenure-track positions in academia are few and far between, the world outside the academy is teeming with opportunities that align with the skillset and passion of English PhDs. Here’s a glimpse into the exciting array of non-academic careers English PhDs are well suited for:

1. Content Strategist and Brand Storyteller:

English PhDs thrive in the realm of content strategy and brand storytelling. Their profound understanding of narratives and language nuances can transform English PhDs into sought-after content creators, crafting compelling stories that resonate with audiences across industries.

2. Media and Communication Specialist:

Mastery of language empowers English PhDs to excel in media and communication roles. Whether crafting press releases, managing social media content, or curating engaging digital campaigns, their ability to convey messages effectively is invaluable.

3. Technical Writer and Documentation Expert:

Navigating the world of technical writing, where clarity and precision reign, is second nature for many English PhDs. Their meticulous analysis and eloquent communication make them proficient creators of user manuals, guides and documentation for intricate subjects.

4. Cultural Critic and Reviewer:

English PhDs know how analytical prowess can shape cultural discourse. Becoming critics or reviewers for literature, art, film, or even pop culture is an avenue where English PhDs can use their insights to influence public opinion and shape trends.

5. Marketing Analyst and Consumer Insight Expert:

Armed with finely-tuned research skills, English PhDs are a good fit for market research. As marketing analysts, they decode consumer behavior, unearth market trends and offer strategic insights crucial for business growth. 

6. Public Relations and Corporate Communications:

Their knack for persuasive language aligns English PhDs seamlessly with public relations and corporate communications. Managing reputation, crisis communication, and maintaining brand image become their forte.

7. Grant Writer and Nonprofit Advocate:

English PhDs who excel at persuasive writing to make a tangible impact may find their perfect home in the nonprofit space. By becoming a grant writer or working with nonprofits in other ways, English PhDs can contribute to social change and secure funding for noble causes.

8. Publishing Industry Specialist:

As editors, manuscript reviewers or content curators, English PhDs are well-suited to navigate the publishing world. Their discerning eye and deep understanding of literature can contribute to shaping literary landscapes.

9. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

Launching a blog, podcast, or digital platform allows English PhDs to blend their love for literature with modern technology, catering to niche audiences and carving a unique path.

10. Government and Policy Analyst:

The critical thinking skills gained in an English PhD program are assets in governmental or policy roles. Analyzing complex documents, articulating ideas succinctly, and contributing to informed decision-making are roles where an English PhD’s expertise shines.

Earning a PhD in English isn’t just about academics; it's about embracing a multifaceted world of opportunities. The journey you embark on equips you with skills that transcend traditional boundaries. As you step beyond the classroom, remember that your passion for language, critical thinking, and storytelling has the power to redefine industries and carve pathways less traveled. The possibilities are boundless, waiting for you to embrace them and make your mark in an ever-evolving professional landscape.

Learn more about what doctoral study in the humanities can do for you in our guide!

Are you intrigued by the diverse possibilities a PhD in English can unlock? Connect with us at SMU's Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies to explore how our program can pave the way for your journey into these exciting career realms. Your expertise has the potential to shape industries and redefine success.

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Phd in english: requirements, salary, jobs, & career growth, what is phd in english.

A PhD in English is a postgraduate degree that focuses on the study of English language, literature, and culture. The PhD in English program is typically intended to prepare students for careers in research and teaching in the field of English studies.

A PhD in English program often includes advanced study in literary theory, critical analysis, research technique, and linguistics. Furthermore, students are frequently required to complete a substantial research project or dissertation under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

Some common areas of specialization within a PhD in English program include:

• American literature
• British literature
• Comparative literature
• Cultural studies
• Creative writing
• Linguistics
• Rhetoric and composition

How much money do people make with a PhD in English?

The pay of someone with a PhD in English can vary depending on criteria such as their area of specialization, region, and job type.

Academics, such as professors and researchers, can expect to earn between $70,000 and $120,000 per year, depending on their level of expertise, institution, and topic of study. However, compensation for adjunct or part-time faculty employment may be lower.

Working in sectors such as publishing, writing, or journalism may be further choices for someone with a PhD in English. Salaries in these sectors can range greatly, with some employment earning less than $50,000 per year and others receiving six figures.

What is expected job growth with PhD in English?

Individuals with a PhD in English may face varying job development prospects based on their area of concentration and the career route they pick.

However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that job growth for postsecondary teachers, including those in the subject of English, will be 9 percent from 2020 to 2030.

This expansion can be linked to rising demand for higher education, which includes courses in English and other liberal arts disciplines.

However, competition for tenure-track posts at colleges and universities can be fierce, and many PhD English graduates may find work in non-academic industries such as publishing, writing, or journalism.

What can you do with a PhD in English?

A PhD in English can lead to a wide range of professional prospects in academia and beyond. Here are a few examples of possible job paths:

1. College or university professor: One of the most typical job routes for those with a PhD in English is to become a college or university professor. Teaching English literature and language courses, conducting research, producing scholarly articles and books, and mentoring students are all part of the job.

2. Writing and editing: Individuals with a PhD in English may pursue employment in writing or editing. Positions in journalism, technical writing, grant writing, or working at publishing houses are examples of this.

3. Research and Analysis: Individuals with a PhD in English may engage in research and analysis professions such as market research or data analysis, as their strong research skills and ability to critically examine texts can be useful in a variety of sectors.

4. Arts and Culture: Some graduates may work in the arts and culture sector, such as museums, art galleries, or cultural organizations.

5. Government and Non-profit: Graduates with a PhD in English may also work in government or non-profit organizations in fields such as education, policy, or advocacy.

What are the requirements for a PhD in English?

The specific requirements for obtaining a PhD in English can vary depending on the institution and program, but generally, the following are common requirements:

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: Applicants to most PhD programs in English must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Although it is not usually required, certain schools may accept applicants with a Master’s degree in a related discipline.

2. Academic Transcripts: Applicants are usually expected to present certified transcripts of their undergraduate and graduate education, which demonstrate their academic performance and achievement.

3. Statement of Purpose: Applicants are typically expected to provide a personal statement or statement of purpose detailing their research interests, academic ambitions, and reason for pursuing a PhD in English.

4. Standardized Test Scores: Applicants to many PhD programs may be required to submit scores from standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other related assessments.

5. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants to PhD programs in English are frequently required to provide letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources who may speak to the applicant’s academic talents, research potential, and eligibility for a PhD program.

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How long does it take to get a phd in english.

The length of time it takes to earn a PhD in English varies based on the school, the speed of the particular student, and other considerations. A PhD in English usually takes between 5-7 years to complete.

The first 2-3 years of a PhD program are often spent studying English literature, theory, and research methodologies. Students will often take comprehensive tests during this time to demonstrate their understanding in these topics.

After completing their coursework, students will typically spend the next 2-3 years working on their dissertation. Conducting original research, analyzing data, and writing a lengthy and detailed dissertation are all part of this process.

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Do you need a masters in english to get a phd in english.

A master’s degree in English is usually not required to apply for a PhD program in English. Many English PhD programs accept applicants with a bachelor’s degree in English or a related discipline, however others may demand extra coursework or research experience.

However, having a master’s degree in English may be advantageous for some individuals because it might demonstrate a higher level of knowledge and preparedness for the additional coursework and research necessary in a PhD program.

What are the Best PhD in English Degree programs?

1. harvard university 2. university of california, berkeley 3. university of chicago 4. stanford university 5. columbia university 6. yale university 7. princeton university 8. university of pennsylvania 9. university of michigan 10. university of california, los angeles (ucla), leave a comment cancel reply.

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The PhD program in English prepares students for a range of scholarly careers in English through a combination of literary studies with writing and rhetoric. In literary studies, we emphasize American literature, Transatlantic and Caribbean literature, Early Modern literature, and the study of gender and sexuality.

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In writing and rhetoric, we emphasize teaching and assessing writing, community engagement, diversity and identity, and empirical research methodologies. We also have exceptional offerings in the digital humanities, including digital archiving, network analysis, digital editing and encoding, geospatial analysis, and text mining.

Students in the PhD program in English undertake a program of study designed to train them to be productive scholars, teachers, and leaders in their chosen fields. In coursework, students read and analyze the important texts, current issues, and critical methodologies of the discipline. Drawing on the breadth of this preparation, students demonstrate their ability to recognize and produce scholarly arguments in designing the three comprehensive field papers in areas of scholarly interest and competence corresponding to recognized and emerging fields of study. Finally, the dissertation provides an opportunity for designing a focused research project in consultation with a dissertation advisor.

Throughout the program, faculty work closely with doctoral students to develop their scholarly and professional identities in preparation for careers in academia. As students complete their studies, the department offers strong support for the academic job search, including workshops on stages from dissertation writing to the job market itself, individual advising, mock interviews, and a departmental dossier service.

Learn more about this PhD program in English from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities .

• All doctoral students receive full five- or six-year teaching fellowship funding
• Opportunities for involvement in research and teaching in centers including the NULab for Texts, Maps, and Networks; the Writing Center; the Digital Scholarship Group; and the Humanities Center as well as with individual faculty
• The department focuses particularly on the fields of American Literature; Transatlantic and Caribbean Studies; Digital Humanities; and Writing and Rhetoric

We have a high rate of placement for students conducting both local and national job searches. Our graduates have obtained tenure-track positions at four-year colleges and universities across the country and abroad, including: Columbia College (Chicago); the Florida Institute of Technology; Frankiln Pierce University; McKendree University; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; Middle Tennessee State University; the National Technical University, Norway; Oberlin College; Park University (Missouri); Providence College; Sterling College; Rhode Island College; Wesleyan College (Georgia); and the University of Puerto Rico. Other full-time placements include positions in departments of English and in writing programs at the American University of Dubai; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the University of Southern California; and Wheelock College (Boston). Tenure-track placements at two-year colleges include Bristol CC, Queensborough CC, and Quincy College.

Application Materials

Application.

• Application fee – US $100
• Personal statement
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
• English proficiency for international applicants
• Three letters of recommendation
• Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – Optional
• Writing sample

Admissions deadline for Fall term: December 1

• Program Website

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UCL English

MPhil/PhD in English Literature and Language

One of the highest-ranking English Departments in the UK, UCL provides fantastic opportunities for PhD students to study in the heart of literary London, with access to vast quantities of resources and research materials, and a high number of academic staff working on a diverse range of specialist topics. 

Note that you should identify a prospective supervisor yourself (see our list of staff ) and contact them before you make your formal application, to check that they are in a position to support the project that you are proposing.

Dr Julia Jordan ( [email protected] ) is the English Department's Graduate Tutor. Application enquiries can also be directed to Natasha Clark ( [email protected] ), Senior Education Administrator.

With access to a vast collection of archival materials, and world-leading supervision in a wide range of literary periods and topics, UCL is one of the best universities in which to study for an English PhD.     

There are normally about 45 students undertaking research degrees in the department. Graduate students initially register for the MPhil degree, but usually in the second year, when a realistic and workable thesis has been confirmed, and work-in-progress and a future plan have been discussed, students are upgraded from MPhil to PhD status.

Students accepted for admission are given a principal supervisor with whom the student will work closely during the course of the degree. A secondary supervisor is also appointed to provide additional advice. Great importance is attached to matching student and supervisor, and ensuring that students' progress is well monitored. Students meet either one or other supervisor approximately ten times during the academic year. The Department is eager to ensure PhD completion rates within four years, and therefore reviews each student's progress by means of an interview at the end of each year. When completed and submitted, the thesis is defended in an oral examination. 

Students are expected to complete the PhD within three or four years of registration, and the minimum period of registration is two years. Part-time students complete the degree within five to seven years of registration. 

The Department offers MPhil/PhD supervision in a wide range of topics, including English and English-related language and literature from Old English to the present day. Information on the research interests of staff can be found here (click on the name of each member of staff to access their personal profile). 

Research Resources

UCL Library has outstanding physical and digital collections for literary research, as well as specialist materials in its excellent Special Collections department. Among these are the George Orwell Archive; Little Magazines; the Routledge and Kegan Paul Archives (publishing history); the Brougham Papers and papers of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (19th-century liberalism); and the Chadwick Papers (19th-century sanitary reform). UCL Library also has superb holdings in London history. For language topics the Department is especially well placed, as it houses the world-renowned Survey of English Usage.

Other London archives with manuscript and rare book resources relevant to the Department’s research interests include (but are by no means limited to):

• British Library
• University of London Library (Senate House Library)
• Guildhall Library
• London Library
• Library of the London School of Economics
• Dr Williams’s Library
• Bishopsgate Institute Library
• Library of the Victoria and Albert Museum
• Archives of the Royal Society
• The Women’s Library at London School of Economics

Research is expected to take students into numerous libraries and archives, not only within London, but also throughout Britain, and often internationally. 

Research Environment

The Department places great emphasis on opportunities for students to discuss their work and participate in the exchange of knowledge and ideas. There is a programme of regular departmental Research Seminars at which PhD students are invited to present their work; speakers may also include members of the department’s academic staff and invited guests. The department also hosts a seminar series on Race, Power, and Poetics , and a wide range of informal discussion groups and reading groups.

The Institute of Advanced Studies (part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities) hosts an exciting programme of research events and activities. UCL students also have access to the abundance of seminars and conferences available across London, including those of the Institute of English Studies  at the University of London.

The English Department’s graduate students organise a one-day conference each year; many of the papers delivered at the conference are published in  Moveable Type , the Department's graduate-led online journal. There is a Graduate Common Room in the English Department. Many PhD students spend much time working at the British Library, to which UCL has unrivalled proximity, which also functions as a hub for academic networking.

Details of current PhD students and their projects can be found here . 

Your research proposal does not need to be long (typically somewhere between 800-1000 words). The most important things we are looking for you to explain are:

1) What primary literature/texts will you be studying?

2) What is your idea/approach to this literature?

3) How does your project fit in to the secondary literature/criticism on this topic?

4) Practical details, like which archives you will use, roughly how long you will spend on each chapter, what each chapter may be about, etc

5) That you have considered how the chosen project will work within a 100,000 word limit (so it's clearly not something so small that it's 20,000 words maximum, nor have you chosen something so big that you couldn't possibly do it justice in 500,000).

Proposals and intentions often change a little/quite a lot once they are on the course, but the important thing is just to demonstrate that you have thought about the practicalities and you have a clear, viable research topic that we could supervise in the Department, and which you could complete within three years.

Applicants should usually expect to begin their studies in September at the start of an academic year (although in some cases, a January start can be discussed). UCL’s application process usually opens in mid-October, and you are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as there are a number of stages to the process.

It is essential to understand that your application for a place must be fully processed, and an offer of a place at UCL secured, before you can apply to any of the various funding schemes (see under ‘Applying for Funding’ below). You should allow time for this, and for us to advise you on your funding application(s). For this reason your full, formal application for a place via UCL’s online system must be submitted by Friday 5 January 2024 at the latest . This is an internal departmental deadline and supersedes any dates given on external websites.

We strongly recommend that all candidates should apply for funding; but those candidates who intend to self-fund may apply for entry in September 2024 at any time up to 31 March 2024.

The steps for applying for a place take some time, and are as follows:

1. Contact a member of staff in the English Department to establish whether they are available and interested in supervising your project. They may ask to see your CV and a brief research proposal (see above, ‘The Research Proposal’). You can find details of the research interests of individual members of staff here (click on each name to see the staff member’s profile). If you are not sure who to approach, you may consult the English Department’s Graduate Tutor, Dr Julia Jordan ( [email protected] ) .

Please be aware that members of staff cannot give detailed advice on how to improve your research proposal. This is because evaluation of the proposal is an important part of the process for the selection of candidates, so it must be your own independent work. If we invite you for interview (step 3 below) this will be an opportunity for you to discuss your proposal with your prospective supervisor. If we offer you a place (step 4 below), we will then advise you on how to make your research proposal as strong as possible for your funding application(s).

2.   If you have been encouraged to make a full, formal online application, please do so, following the instructions here . Your application must include a research proposal, two references, a CV, and transcripts from your previous academic courses. If you intend to proceed to funding applications, your application for a place must be submitted by 5 January 2024 . When you submit your application, please also send your research proposal and academic CV directly by email to the English Department’s Graduate Tutor, Dr Julia Jordan ( [email protected] ) .

Applying as an international student  

Further information about English language requirements and applying as an international student can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/applying-international-student . 

3.   The English Department will consider the strength of each applicant’s proposed research project, the applicant's grades in undergraduate and Masters level study, and the suitability (and availability) of academic staff in the Department to supervise the proposed project. If we decide to proceed with the application, the applicant will be invited to a short interview to discuss the research proposal in more detail. This will normally be with the applicant's proposed primary supervisor, a potential secondary supervisor, and/or the Tutor for Graduates. UK applicants will normally be interviewed at UCL; international students, or those who are unable to attend for other reasons, will be interviewed online. Please try to ensure that you are available for interview from November to January.

4.  If your interview is successful, we will offer you a place. You can now proceed to funding applications (see ‘Applying for Funding’ below). PLEASE NOTE: it is your responsibility to be aware of the deadlines for different funding schemes, and to ensure that there is time for your application for a place to be fully processed before you proceed to funding applications.

Scholarships for which you may be eligible to apply are listed here .  

Studentships for PhDs in English at UCL are available from LAHP (the London Arts and Humanities Partnership), funded by the AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council). LAHP is a consortium of Higher Education Institutions in London. More information, including eligibility for a studentship and how to apply, is available from their website . Around 10% of applications for studentships are successful.

Applicants who are interested in LAHP funding must also have submitted a completed PhD application to UCL by Friday 5 January 2024. Once we have confirmed your offer of a place, you must then submit a completed LAHP application form,  including the supervisor statement,  by their  deadline   ( 26th January 2024 at 5pm ).  Your prospective supervisor will advise you on how to make your LAHP application as strong as possible. It is your responsibility to allow sufficient time for all of these processes.

If you have any further questions about the LAHP application procedure, please email Ms Natasha Clark ( [email protected] ) 

Research Excellence Scholarship (RES)

UCL Research Excellence Scholarships aim to attract high-quality students to undertake research at UCL. Up to 40 UCL  Research Excellence Scholarships (RES) are available to prospective and current research students from any country.

More details about the application process for the Research Excellence Scholarships, including deadlines, can be found here .

Wolfson Scholarships

The Wolfson Foundation is offering six postgraduate research awards in the humanities for 2024/25. These will be for three areas in history, literature and languages.

Details about the award scheme and the application process can be found here . 

Applicants should send the mandatory documents to Natasha Clark ( [email protected] ) by the end of 12 January 2024.

UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship

UCL's Research Opportunity Scholarship (UCL-ROS) supports UK BAME postgraduate research degree students. Details about eligibility, the award and the application process can be found here .

Each student works closely with their supervisor to develop research skills specific to their project. Regular completion of an online research log helps the student and supervisor to assess training needs.

The English Department provides a course in PhD Skills Training. The first term is on Research Skills and Methods, and is aimed at first-year students, who are required to attend. The second term is on Professional Academic Skills, and is open to all PhD students.

Across UCL, PhD training is co-ordinated by the Doctoral School . The Doctoral Skills Development Programme is delivered via the Inkpath platform, and benefits from participation by the Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network , a consortium of leading Higher Education Institutions.

Training courses and events are also available from LAHP (the London Arts and Humanities Partnership). LAHP-funded students are given priority for booking, but places may also be available to other students.

Teaching opportunities for research students

PhD students who are making good progress with their research project are offered teaching opportunities. Those in their second year are normally offered experience in teaching one-to-one tutorials. Those in their third year are normally offered experience in teaching seminars.

PhD students in English also work with UCL’s Access and Widening Participation team to deliver a highly successful Summer School for Year 12 school students.

Employment Prospects

PhD graduates from the Department have an excellent record of securing employment in institutions of higher education. In recent years PhD alumni have progressed to academic positions here at UCL, as well as at Oxford and Cambridge, in the wider University of London, and at other universities across the UK. Others have successfully gained international appointments, in destinations including the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Our PhD graduates are also well placed to pursue careers outside academia, as the skills in research, analysis, writing, and communication obtained during the PhD transfer easily to high-level work in many sectors.

UCL prospectus page for the MPhil/PhD programme.

For further information, please email Natasha Clark ( [email protected] ).

Apply Online

You can find a link to the online application form on the main UCL website at the bottom of this page: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/apply

We do accept some visiting students, if there is a suitable academic to act as supervisor. The first step is to identify someone who looks like a suitable supervisor by looking through the list of academic staff yourself:  https://www.ucl.ac.uk/english/people/academic-staff  . Then, you should contact them with your research proposal to see if they think they would be well-positioned to supervise and will be available to do so over the period of time you’d like to visit. If they are happy to supervise you, you must submit an application via our online system. Further details about this and the link for applying can be found on this page: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/international/study-abroad-and-exchange/visiting-research-students .

Student Views

"I am currently completing my PhD on Shakespeare. The English department at UCL is a very special place: the academic staff are dedicated, supportive. I would whole-heartedly recommend applying to study English at UCL."

Shani Bans, PhD Candidate

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As well as building the foundations for an academic career, PhD study will help you to develop excellent research skills. By studying for a PhD, you can become an expert in your field while getting to pursue your lifelong passion. Discover more about choosing your PhD supervisor, writing a research proposal, passing your viva exam, and get some ideas for what to do next.

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The mismatch continues between PhD holders and their career prospects

New expert report from the Council of Canadian Academies finds a growing number of doctoral graduates in Canada is having trouble transitioning to the labour market.

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Canada has an academic labour mismatch problem: more people than ever graduate with PhDs, but after completing these intensive programs they often face limited career prospects in academia and beyond. This represents a significant untapped source of talent for the country.

“Students go into PhD studies for various reasons. They tend to be passionate about their field of study. They also want to use their knowledge and their training and their passion to contribute,” says Elizabeth Cannon, president emerita of the University of Calgary.

To better understand the challenges PhD students face in transitioning to the labour market, the Council of Canadian Academies convened a 12-member expert panel in 2019 headed by Dr. Cannon. The CCA was responding to a request from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The resulting 220-page report, Degrees of Success , was released on January 26.

This situation “is ripe for dialogue. It’s ripe for reform,” says panel member Bryan Gopaul, an assistant professor at the Warner School of Education and Human Development at the University of Rochester who hails from Canada and researches the experiences of graduate students. He notes that the PhD has been around for centuries and has managed to stay the same in many ways while also shifting over time – and may need to change again to stay relevant.

The number of people graduating with PhDs in Canada has been increasing at a fairly steady rate since 2002. In that year, according to Statistics Canada, 3,723 students graduated from PhD or equivalent programs across the country. By 2017 the number had more than doubled, reaching nearly 8,000. Yet the number of tenure-stream professors in Canada has remained relatively constant since 2009, at around 41,000 in any given year.

The combination of increased PhD holders and a declining number of new tenure-track positions has led to greater competition for fewer jobs. What’s more, Canadian graduates are competing with graduates from all over the world for a diminishing number of positions.

“Traditionally, PhDs were seen, and still are seen, as the pathway to a tenure-track academic career, and what the report shows is that the pathway is not as large as it has been,” says Dr. Cannon. According to the report, about 19 percent of PhD holders working in Canada hold tenured or tenure-track faculty jobs. The rest end up in a range of positions. They sometimes serve as contract lecturers, a modestly paid and precarious career path.

“The private sector has not increased its capacity to take on these additional PhD grads, who could use their skills and talents to contribute to the economy,” says Dr. Cannon. The same is not the case in other countries, she says, notably Australia and the U.S., which graduate more PhDs, many of whom companies eagerly hire.

In Canada, graduate supervisors may discourage their students from exploring jobs outside universities. Dwayne Benjamin , a professor in the department of economics and vice-dean, graduate education, in the faculty of arts and science at the University of Toronto, says that’s seldom done intentionally. “Professors take great pride in the outcomes of their students. They know a lot about the academic labour market, but not much about jobs outside universities. And there’s a sense that, with PhD students, you’re [expected] to be the next generation of scholars,” he says.

Some PhD programs link well to non-academic jobs, the panel notes. Business PhDs are the top earners five years after graduation. They are followed by PhD graduates in engineering, mathematics and computer science, health, and education, all of whom have similar earnings. The lowest earners are PhD graduates in humanities and sciences. The differences in earnings are significant, the report notes, with PhD graduates in business earning over 80 percent more than those in humanities and sciences at the five-year mark.

Dr. Benjamin says that some sectors embrace PhD graduates because the employers in these sectors understand the value of their skills. “Computer science does well, evolutionary biology grads don’t do as well,” he says. Physics grads often get scooped up by Bay Street firms keen to utilize their complex math skills. “Some degrees have connections to jobs, and it varies.”

Discrimination and unconscious bias also can impact PhD holders. Men earn 19 percent more than women five years after finishing their doctoral degrees, while woman are more likely to be unemployed or working part-time. There are fewer racialized students at the highest levels of education – those with disabilities also struggle – with few mentors and colleagues facing similar challenges, leading to feelings of isolation. In particular, Indigenous students feel the burden of so-called tokenism, getting frequent requests to serve on panels and committees, which take time away from their research and studies.

While taking an advanced degree entails the honing of many important skills, a PhD doesn’t prep students for the work world, plus grads don’t realize what employable skills they actually have. The report explores how some PhDs don’t even learn how to succeed in academia – the brightest researchers, for instance, often earn grants that permit them to skip serving as teaching assistants, so they may never learn vital teaching skills.

While much of the data look dismal, Dr. Cannon says universities have made changes to better link PhD students and work. “It’s not as if institutions are standing still,” she says. The report devotes a chapter to promising initiatives such as mentorship, professional development and work-integrated learning programs.

The report draws no conclusions nor makes recommendations – and does not answer the big question of whether or not Canada graduates too many PhDs – but offers a data-driven picture of what’s going on. “The report, in one hub, pulls all this information together. It supports some really comprehensive conversations grounded in strong research and findings,” says Dr. Gopaul. “I think the report highlights how complex it all is, and highlights that there are so many factors.”

Dr. Cannon says the fate of advanced-degree holders impacts innovation and the economy at an important level, so the debate “I think is very timely and very important to the future of this country.”

While not clear what effective changes to the PhD might look like, Dr. Benjamin says any shift related to the labour market entails a philosophical shift. “This is another dimension of how universities are changing away from being about the pure pursuit of knowledge.”

The report’s key findings

• The number of PhD graduates in Canada is growing while the number of open tenure-track positions is stagnant or declining.
• Non-academic sectors have not significantly increased their uptake of PhD graduates.
• The labour market outcomes for PhDs vary significantly by gender and discipline, and the economic return of a PhD is lower for younger graduates compared to PhDs in general.
• Academic culture can support or hinder the transition of PhDs to the labour market.
• PhD graduates may not be aware of the skills and abilities they could bring to a future employer, or there may be a mismatch between the capabilities desired by employers and those gained by PhD graduates during their studies.
• PhD graduates from Canadian institutions are presented with the opportunity, or in some cases necessity, of seeking employment outside Canada following their studies.

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Oh, for pete’s sake! There have been virtually no jobs for PhDs in Canada in many fields since the late 1980s! And those few who earn PhDs in non-STEM fields really do not WANT to get “great” non-academic jobs doing things like working for cell phone stores (yes, that was an actual suggestion) or coaching other academics who won’t get university jobs either. People go into academe because they want to be in academe, and for decades, the universities have outright deceived their graduate students by saying that everyone will retire in X years (some did, some didn’t, but almost all were replaced by adjuncts) or any number of other things that just make you feel that if only you were good enough, if you published one more article or networked that little bit more or if you’d only been able to go to Harvard, you would get one of the few prized tenure track jobs. The latter is, of course, BS. I left a PhD program in the humanities – thank heavens, or I’d have starved. My husband finished his, and was the #1 ranked graduate student in his entire discipline at a top global university. That and $5 gets you coffee at Starbucks. In the 22 years since he got his PhD, there have been precisely THREE jobs in his field advertised in Canada. Needless to say, we’re no longer in Canada. Canadian universities – and others – should stop admitting so many people to their PhD programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, at the very least. There are no academic jobs for them, and few want to do a PhD in American literature to then work at a cell phone company. You don’t need that degree to do that job, and all you end up with is disappointment, frustration, and possibly a huge student loan. If only a half-dozen true superstars got into these programs annually for the next 2-3 decades, maybe we could finally clear the backlog, and maybe people could get jobs. You might as well be disappointed by not getting into a program as by spending all your energy and money getting a degree for which you can find no related means of earning a living afterward. You’d save yourself a lot of heartache and money.

I am an economist. I was talking about this problem with a colleague, an anthropologist. My PhD (mostly Chinese) doctoral students do not place well in academia in Canada, but they can get a good job in Chinese research universities. Some opt to stay in Canada, and take a job in a bank. Over the years I have built contacts with local banks, and my graduates never go hungry, so to speak.

My Anthro friend has stopped taking in doctoral students, as she finds it immoral. She says they come to the doctoral program thinking they will land a job in Anthro deps in Canada or US. And that is not going to happen. Period. Telling them that there is not a chance to get that type of job just makes them change supervisor (and no, they do not land an academic job when they graduate).

I ask: with what (moral) courage one takes on doctoral students in certain disciplines without telling them that 1000 to 1 they won’t become a professor? A honest conversation, and the creation of contacts, could go a long way to alleviate the desperation of these young. It is heartbreaking seeing them crumble when they realize the type of jobs they eventually land.

I agree. I entered a PhD program in English literature, hardly aware that we were not going to replace the tenured professors who were teaching us. We went on faith that there would be a need to replace the previous generation but, when the time came, tenured positions were just cut and most of us either were part-time, associate, or contract workers doing the marking and lecturing that no tenured prof wanted to do. And, forget the publishing aspect of it. More publications wont make a difference. Unless you become a best-selling, YouTube superstar, public intellectual, your career will be frustrating and poorly payed. I finally left Canada to work oversees at different private colleges (on contract) and managed to save enough for retirement after 40 years in the classroom. And I never taught English Lit. but communication, business English, ESL, EAP, etc. Financially, it was a waste. The only thing that kept me teaching was the love of the job and the travel it offered.

I propose that doctoral programs should be mandated to post on their website the number of PhD graduates in a tenure track job each year for (former) students up to 5 years out from graduation, together with the hiring institutions (not the name of the students). Some doctoral students live in a dream, and they need data to wake up.

The report should have provided a more granular assessments, at the program-area level. This thype of info is crucial for prospective students.

If someone enters a PhD program NOT knowing that their chances of getting a tenure-track job at a good university are very small, they can’t be very smart to begin with. Seriously.

And if someone goes to a 2nd-rate university, gets a 2nd-rate PhD, and thinks they can compete for academic jobs with those from the better universities (who are better trained, had better credentials to begin with, and do a better PhD), then, once more, they can’t be very smart. This is often a problem in, say, the Humanities.

If such PhDs end up as life-long adjuncts, sessionals, part-time, non-tenurable, etc, that is their choice. But then they often shout out that it is not fair. What? Not fair that weren’t good enough to get a job as a real professor?

In the hard sciences, there are lots of jobs in government and the private sector, and they will do well.

RA Henderson your comments are…just unkind. And you seem to place a lot of value on the ruthless competition among institutions and students for “the best and the brightest” that makes universities rife with cynicism and stress.

Many factors can lead someone to pursue a PhD besides “stupidity.” PhDs can be misled about their job prospects by profs who either don’t know or don’t care about the ultimate fates of their grad students. Students who lack cultural and social capital may in earnest not know what they don’t know when they sign up for a PhD.

Certainly the massification of higher ed means churning out more graduate students of lower quality to a certain extent, but it also means an increase in the absolute numbers of people who are well qualified for academic positions. At some point the ranking game gets to a place where you are comparing apples to apples, and inventing bizarre criteria to screen out candidates.

This is not a system of hiring and ranking to be celebrated as “academic quality” or “academic integrity.” It is dysfunctional with a lot of elitist window dressing that serves no one but higher level admin and academic rockstars who have clawed their way to the top.

With reference to Laura Servage’s response to R. A. Henderson, his remarks are not only unkind but border on elitism. I disagree with his comments about 2nd – rate universities and 2nd – rate PhDs, as if the only worthwhile degrees are issued by the two or three best known institutions in our country. From my observations, the quality of a degree has much more to do with commitment to scholarship and the academic and scientific leadership associated with individual programs as offered at Canadian universities.

On the other hand, potential PhD candidates, do indeed have a responsibility to familiarize themselves with job opportunities in their respective fields before embarking on a 4 to 6-year journey that provides few guarantees and limited hope at the end of the trip.

It doesn’t take a genius to consider the number of PhD candidates a supervisor has versus the number of jobs held by said supervisor. If you think/thought you’d naturally replace a retiring faculty member without considering the 10+ others salivating over that same position then perhaps you have no one else to blame but yourself.

Furthermore, I think that a more competitive environment would significantly reduce the number of PhD students to a more sustainable level. It’s obvious that degrees are being handed out haphazardly and one of the negative results is too much competition for too few jobs, especially when merit is less emphasized.

Drs A D Boyd and A C Gross wrote a bilingual report for the Science Council of Canada in the 1970s entitled ‘Education and Jobs’ making several recommendations…which may still apply today… even as the focus was on just science and engineering graduates.

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Developing La Nina to bring summer scorcher to millions with soaking storms in eastern US

80% of homebuyers consider climate and weather risk before purchase.

FOX Weather sat down with Manny Garcia, Senior Population Scientist for Zillow to discuss the company's finding that the vast majority of shoppers factor climate risk into the purchase of a home.

Get ready for plenty of sweat and discomfort this scorching summer as high temperatures are expected to dominate the season for millions, fueled by a developing La Niña climate pattern.

NOAA's updated climate outlook for the meteorological summer period from June 1 to Aug. 31 was released on Thursday. It indicates that above-average temperatures are expected across nearly all the Lower 48 states, with wetter-than-average weather anticipated in the eastern part of the nation.

The outlook sets the country up for what could be one of the warmest summers in history, outpacing records set in 2021 and 1936 .

It all comes down to a La Niña climate pattern expected to develop quickly in the coming months. This pattern will impact U.S. weather, particularly in the latter part of the summer, fall and hurricane seasons, according to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center .

WHY SUMMER SHOULD ACTUALLY BEGIN ON JUNE 1

Millions of Americans are expected to experience warmer-than-average conditions this summer. (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service / Getty Images)

While El Niño conditions are still present , water temperatures continue to cool as the switch to La Niña is underway. According to NOAA, a full transition to La Niña will likely occur during the summer. 

This transition is the primary driver for NOAA's summer outlook, which calls for the highest chance of warmer-than-average temperatures in the western U.S. and across the southern Plains into the western Gulf Coast region. 

Above-average temperatures are also favored for the eastern portion of the country, especially the Northeast .

Warmer-than-average conditions are expected for millions of Americans this summer. (FOX Weather)

Regarding precipitation , a pronounced east-west split is forecast, with below-average precipitation across most of the West , from the Pacific coast to the Rocky Mountains.

Above-average rainfall is favored for a large area stretching from the Gulf Coast northeastward across the lower Mississippi Valley and the Southeast , into the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic and southern New England .

WHAT DOES RAIN SMELL LIKE?

Wetter-than-average weather is expected this summer across the eastern portion of the nation. (FOX Weather)

NOAA experts cite increased soil moisture as an influence on this summer's outlook. 

Significant increases in soil moisture were observed in the past month over the north-central U.S., and soil moisture remains above average, according to NOAA.

Along with the increase in soil moisture, sea-surface temperatures were observed running above average along the Gulf Coast and near the Atlantic coast of the Southeast. 

According to NOAA, soil moisture levels and anomalies in sea-surface temperatures can significantly impact local weather patterns in the coming months.

LINK: Get updates and more on this story at foxweather.com.