Fulfilling a Dream: The Late-in-Life Ph.D.

The trend of pursuing a Ph.D. later in life is yet another rejection of the often quoted but usually misrepresented F. Scott Fitzgerald line, “There are no second acts in American lives.” Just as The Great Gatsby author wasn’t saying we can’t reinvent ourselves—it was more a commentary on the banality of life—the increasing percentage of older Americans pursuing Ph.D.s proves that we can enjoy second, third, and even fourth acts.

A more appropriate quote from classical literature is by Mary Ann Evans (aka George Eliot): “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), nearly 7 percent of research doctorates awarded in the U.S. in 2022 went to people over the age of 45. This includes Manfred Steiner, who in 2021 successfully defended his dissertation to secure a Ph.D. in physics from Brown University. He was 89.

It can obviously be done. But is it something you should do? “If your sole reason is that you want to become a professor, don’t do it,” said Steve Tippins, founder and lead coach of Beyond Ph.D. Coaching. “Universities are hiring fewer professors and paying them less. They’re using more adjuncts and non-tenured professors. Ageism and the impact on insurance premiums also work against you.”

However, he added that there are many reasons that an experienced professional may want to pursue a Ph.D. “Getting a Ph.D. is a lifelong dream for some people,” said Tippins, who earned his Ph.D. in Insurance and Risk Management from Florida State University. “Some people promised a family member that they’d do it. Some want to work at a non-profit or consult, and a Ph.D. can provide them with a path to do it. It gives them a voice. And it can lead to a second, third, or fourth career.”

Another factor contributing to the explosion in older Ph.D. candidates is the way that the culture of aging has changed. “It’s a different world now,” Tippins said. “When my grandparents hit 65, they sat down and rested. But people don’t do that anymore. There’s so much more to life, and so much more they can contribute. I call it a ‘union card,’ because a Ph.D. can get you to the table in a lot of different areas. If you combine it with the amazing experience you gained over the years, you can use a doctorate to change the world.”

What other reasons might someone entering their sixth or seventh decade on Earth invest the time, energy, and money to put the letters “Ph.D.” after their name? Here are a few:

Intellectual fulfillment 

For many people, the desire to earn a Ph.D. stems from a deep-seated thirst for knowledge and intellectual curiosity. After decades of professional experience, they may feel compelled to delve deeper into their fields of interest or into something completely different. To the latter point, the New York Times in 2016 profiled Robert Hevey, who, at 60, began pursuing a doctorate in plant biology and conservation after a career as a CPA.

Personal achievement

Completing a Ph.D. represents a significant personal achievement. It takes dedication, perseverance, and intellectual prowess, all of which can lead to an immense sense of pride and satisfaction, no matter your age. 

Contribute to the good 

Many of the steps required to receive a Ph.D., including research, teaching, publishing, and other academic discourse, can contribute to the overall good of the engineering profession and the academic institution. Such students can build their legacies with a meaningful contribution to current and future engineering students and colleagues.

Lifelong learning

Practitioners in any industry can become stale and grow out of touch with the latest advancements in their field. By getting back into the academic fray, particularly at the highest level of achievement, a senior engineer can regain some of the verve they had as students and build their contemporary knowledge base.

Career advancement 

An engineer with a Ph.D. generally holds a higher level of credibility, both internally and externally. While practitioners late in their careers should carefully consider what impact a doctorate will have on their existing status or role in the firm, a Ph.D. could spell the difference between a going-away party and an emeritus position. 

Considerations

If you are thinking of pursing a Ph.D., there are several considerations to keep in mind, including these:

 

• Time 

It can take anywhere from three to eight years (or more) to complete a Ph.D., depending on how much time you invest. For engineers in their 50s and 60s, balancing the demands of academia with existing personal and professional commitments can be challenging or even impossible.

 

• Money

A large percentage of doctoral students receive substantial financial help in achieving their goals, but there are no guarantees. There can also be hidden costs such as research fees, travel, and the loss of income due to time spent in the pursuit of a degree. Older people need to weigh the financial implications against the potential benefits.

 

• Starting over

For someone well-established in the business world, returning to academia can result in culture shock. This is particularly true for people in leadership roles who suddenly find themselves at or near the bottom rung of the hierarchical ladder. 

“When you enter academia, professors rule the world. That can be intimidating for someone in their 60s with all this experience, especially if they were in a management position. And the language of academia is very different; you have to back everything up," Tippins said. “It’s also slower. You can time a university’s 100-yard dash with a calendar. You can submit something, and it can take a month or two to get it reviewed.”

 

• Physical and mental stamina

The rigors of doctoral study can be physically and mentally taxing, requiring long hours of research, writing, and critical thinking. People on the downhill side of 50 may struggle to keep up with their younger, more energetic counterparts. But there are exceptions.

 

• Value of the institution 

While getting a degree from an online source is likely to be the most accommodating to an engineer’s schedule and life and is probably going to cost less, it may not carry as much perceived value as one earned from a highly respected, physical institution.

Entering a Ph.D. program with eyes wide open is the best way to succeed in an efficient, cost-effective way, Tippins said.

“The first thing I’d do is decide why I want to do this, then explore the places I’d want to take it to see if it makes sense. Then, get a coach. This isn’t a pitch for me, it’s the best way to get through it as quickly and well as possible—maybe in three years instead of four," he said. "And I tell people frequently to find someone who has done it. I sometimes hire people to work with my clients, and I won’t hire anyone who hasn’t chaired at least 10 dissertations. Not someone who has just written a dissertation, but who has seen and knows the process inside and out.”

Jerry Guerra is an independent writer in Lynnfield, Mass.