Like every undergraduate student in Brazil, I was always encouraged to dream of pursuing an academic career. After all, that’s one of the most “respected” paths in our country: everyone wants to be called “Dr.” — a field where, in many areas, the title is sometimes valued more than practical experience.
However, recently, I refused a PhD proposal at one of the largest federal universities in the country and decided to take a different path. And honestly, I’m glad I made that decision.
How I received that proposal is another story in itself, so I won’t go into details here, but I’m thinking of writing another article about it that might help those looking to pursue that path — what do you think? Leave a comment at the end of the article!
Why I Made This Choice
The decision was not easy, because the invitation to do the PhD was tempting. I would have had the opportunity to study with some of the biggest names in the technology field, and would have access to cutting-edge resources and equipment. However, after weighing the pros and cons, I decided that pursuing a PhD today, especially in technology, is not very useful. To the point where a PhD title (in my specific case) would be just something to print and hang on the wall at my parents’ house so they could tell visitors “did I tell you my son is a Doctor?”
There are several reasons for this decision. First, I believe that an academic background is not necessarily the best way to become a good professional (a reference in the field). Of course, having a PhD can be an important differentiator in some careers, but, in my opinion, practical experience and the ability to solve real problems are far more important. Moreover, PhD programs are often very disconnected from the job market, and researchers end up working on topics that have little real-world impact (a notable example: all the major scientific papers in technology developed and published in recent years came from private companies).
Another reason for refusing the PhD is that, since one of my goals is to stand out in the job market (i.e., compensation), I believe there are other ways to distinguish yourself — one of them being seeking positions at companies abroad that pay in dollars or euros. In many cases, these companies value practical experience and technical skills more than academic credentials, which can be an advantage for those seeking good compensation. A PhD can be a differentiator — of course it can — but at most it will only help you in that first step of getting the job. Once inside the company, if you don’t demonstrate competence, your titles count for nothing.
Conclusion
Finally, I think it’s important to remember that a PhD is: just an academic title, and it doesn’t guarantee professional success or happiness in life. I prefer to follow a path where I can learn new things, solve real problems, and have a challenging career, regardless of whether or not I hold a PhD.
In summary, I would like you to understand that this is not a letter of repudiation of postgraduate studies — it’s not that I don’t value education or academic training. On the contrary: I believe that a more “traditional” education with strong fundamentals is essential for professional development (and in my experience, professionals who studied “computer science” rather than simply being a “programmer” earn much more recognition in the market, whether in terms of positions or salaries). However, I prefer to follow a path where I can learn more quickly and dynamically, and that allows me to seek new opportunities in different parts of the world.