On surviving a PhD program!
What you see above is the brave batch of FPM (Fellow Program in Management) 2017 at IIM Bangalore. By no means a trivial achievement, as they say — it’s relatively easier to get into the program that to get out of it, gracefully. Fewer know it better than my batchmates awaiting their thesis defense!
I often get quizzed on how did the PhD program help me. If I would have ended up with the same career choices with or without the program? Am I really leveraging my PhD while running the consultancy- Inflexion Point? The short answer is — yes, the PhD helped me immensely. In fact, I reckon that the FPM, that too from IIM Bangalore, was arguably the best decision in a long long time. The timing, the research topic, the PhD guide, and the ensuing career was almost a dream come true for me, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Over last several years now, prospects have been seeking my advise on whether, and when to go for a PhD program. My first reaction is to dissuade them from making such a ominous commitment, and if they still persist, I have a reason to believe that they can survive the ordeal. Having had my ups and downs (read- Confessions of a struggling PhD) along the journey, and I feel a great urge to share my experience. So here’re my five mantras on how to survive a PhD program in management, especially if you are in an IIM system.
Don’t think of a PhD as a respite from a boring career
You can’t be any more wrong about a PhD program when coming in from a boring day’s job. You may think of the PhD as a panacea from routine and the mundane, where you could really follow your heart, and do some earth shattering stuff. The reality is that the program, with its lengthy course work, regimented readings and writings, and the rather narrow focus, can quickly unnerve the most earnest applicants.
Join the program only if you wish to make a career in teaching, and/ or researching.
A PhD, especially from an IIM system, can’t be deemed as a break from a corporate career. It can’t be a thoughtless reaction. Even if you survive the tough selection process, continuing to remain motivated can be an existential issue. Two years into the program when the going gets tough, it’s not a good idea to regret the decision, for quitting is no option then, and getting along it not easy either.
Keep in mind — what’s next?
Proverbially speaking — start with the end in mind. Like most others, you will get through the PhD program, sooner or later. The bigger question is — what now? Practically, there just about two career paths post a PhD — academia and corporate. The academia can have a varying share of teaching and researching; while the corporate could be anywhere ranging from consulting to the more line functions. A rarity would be starting on own, and yours truly belongs to this breed.
Be clear of what you don’t want to do, than what you do want to.
Between knowing what you would most likely do and what you would certainly not enjoy doing, the latter comes easy. For me, I was pretty sure of not going back to a full-time corporate role, and now the choice was between full-time academia or a consulting business; and I chose latter. Am I happy with my choice? — absolutely yes!
Reflecting back, all the term papers, the research question, the choice of methodology, field studies, and almost all of my research seems aligned with that career choice, and that’s where the struggle pays itself off.
Chose a problem that can outlive your PhD journey
A good PhD thesis is anchored on an important problem. Important, not (just) for your PhD guide, but more importantly, to yourself. You must be lucky to carve out a neat enough problem early in the game, but even struggling to arrive at one isn’t a bad deal either. It’s completely acceptable to jostle through the literature, peep into the world of practice, and do regular introspection before you carve out a problem space.
Remember, a good research starts with an interesting problem.
Believe me, you do not want to work on a problem that doesn’t excite you personally. Because everything then become a struggle — framing hypothesis and propositions, data collection, writing and re-writing, and even defending your work. And even with all this done, the end result won’t be something you would be particularly proud of. So better take up a juicy problem where your interest outlives your PhD tenure.
Chose a guide whom you respect, and not necessary love
Not to say that I don’t love my PhD guide — Prof. Rishikesha Krishnan (I am a great fan of him), but I respect him even more. There are (not just were) days when he dismisses my well laid out (at least in my head) arguments, remains unexcited about what thrills me, and cuts right through my defense with his unparalleled wit. But that’s what has kept me intellectually honest, and that’s perhaps more important in the long run. There are days when I exit his room completely deflated, but equally grounded in my thinking.
A good guide pushes your thinking, while keeping you focused and grounded.
I wouldn’t have been anywhere close to my present level of thinking and rogor if I wouldn’t have got Prof. Rishi as my guide. He kept me honest to the research question, not settling for anything superficial, and allowed me to have my own learning journey. It took time, and endurance, but I am a better thinker as a result. Afterall, PhD stands for — Doctorate in Philosophy. So soak in.
Get into the habit of writing, early on
Writing doesn’t come easy to most of us, let alone a PhD styled writing. Yet, I reckon that one has to write, re-write and be prepared to ‘kill the darlings’ when it comes to writing a thesis and publications therefrom. I was lucky to be in a habit of writing well before the program, and that served me pretty well. The extensive coursework, that involved writing several term papers, book summaries and reviews, and paper discussions helped refine the writing (and thinking).
Writing doesn’t seem to follow the law of diminishing returns.
The more you write the better you become at it. With over 550 pages of my PhD thesis, I wasn’t particularly parsimonious, but writing early on helped me refine along the way, and for those who found writing painful had their share of struggle. So, write early, write well.
I reckon that these reflections would be of some avail. Would await yours. Thank you.