There is something to be said for education for the sake of education. In some philosophies, learning is a simple moral good, which means that everyone should strive to become as educated as possible. The smarter we are, the more moral our culture will become — and to that end, everyone might be interested in pursuing a doctorate degree.

Then again, one cannot survive on ethics alone. Education is never free; every student pays in some way, be it money for tuition or else time and effort that might otherwise be devoted to other endeavors. To most in the real world, a doctoral program is not a practical tool for achieving life goals.

So, what if you are interested in earning a doctoral degree, but you are not certain whether such advanced education will be worthwhile? This list of pros and cons for PhDs might help.

Pro: Some Career Fields Require PhDs

In some cases, you will need a PhD to continue advancing in your career. In many fields, bachelor and master degrees merely provide the basic foundation of knowledge and skill, and to continue participating in your career, you will need to earn a doctorate. In these cases, a doctorate could qualify you to conduct your own research to add to the body of knowledge in your chosen field; in other cases, a doctorate certifies that you have the full range of knowledge and skill necessary to provide services related to your field. In either case, you should be sure to include earning a PhD in your career plan if you expect to enter one of these fields.

Pro: You Can Contribute New Knowledge

Perhaps one of the most exciting prospects for PhD holders is the opportunity to contribute new knowledge to their field. Regardless of their field of study, doctoral students must participate in unique research and write a dissertation that they will argue in front of a panel of field experts. This research alone could impact what is known and understood about their field. However, having a PhD also tends to open up the opportunity to explore more avenues of research, which could dramatically alter the scope of knowledge within the field. Fields that are poorly understood benefit greatly from new PhD holders; earning a PhD in psychology online, for example, could provide much-needed insights into human thought, emotion and behavior.

Pro: Soft Skills Are Always Valuable

PhD programs undeniably train students in hard skills associated with their field; for example, computer science doctoral students will become exceedingly proficient at coding in a variety of computer languages. However, doctoral studies also provide valuable experience in various soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, positivity, self-motivation, leadership and more. Even if you do not ultimately find work in the exact field of your PhD, you can always benefit from the soft skills you hone during your program.

Pro: Doctoral Programs Create Useful Networks

PhD programs involve plenty of networking. You will be in frequent communication with your advisory team, which consists of field experts who have some experience in the topic of your research. You will likely work closely with other doctoral students as well as undergraduates who might assist you in conducting research. Finally, it is common for PhD candidates to attend academic conferences in their field and network with other experts and students. Building such a large and powerful network can help doctoral students find employment before and after they earn their PhDs.

Con: Doctoral Students Feel Lonely

Like all education, pursuing a doctorate is an individual effort. Though you might surround yourself with fellow PhD candidates, it is your responsibility to conduct research and write a dissertation; you will likely spend large stretches of time alone as you compile your data and draft your arguments to earn your degree. Toward the end of your program, it is likely that your social life will suffer as you struggle to conclude your studies. Fortunately, it is possible to overcome feelings of loneliness by scheduling time to interact with loved ones amidst your PhD efforts.

Con: Doctoral Studies Are Immensely Stressful

The path to a doctorate is not as straight and narrow as it might seem. Often, the research doctoral students believe they will conduct is somehow impossible or perhaps uninteresting. Many students will start and stop topics of study several times before identifying the one that will earn them their degree. This can be a significant source of stress; students must continue devoting time, effort and expense to their degree until it is complete, so when years pass without any progress, they might begin to question their decision to pursue a PhD. To prevent undue frustration, you might talk extensively with professors and fellow doctoral students about your research before you commit to it in a significant way.

Education for the sake of education is noble, but so is education for the sake of personal gain. You can benefit from a doctorate if you want to — but you should determine whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages before you begin.