Business PhD

SmallBlue

Hi all, I'm considering doing a PhD on a business topic. I have an MBS and an ACA. Can anyone tell me what the career path might be like after the PhD? I know it's very difficult to get a lecturing job in general, what are the prospects like in the area of business?

djpbarry

SmallBlue wrote: »

Hi all, I'm considering doing a PhD on a business topic. I have an MBS and an ACA. Can anyone tell me what the career path might be like after the PhD? I know it's very difficult to get a lecturing job in general, what are the prospects like in the area of business?

That depends on what it is you want to do? Why do you want to do a PhD?

SmallBlue

Ideally, I'd like to get into lecturing. I wouldn't be hugely interested in ongoing research but happy to do it for the 4 years of the PhD obviously. Worst case scenario, say I got my PhD and I couldn't get a lecturing/research job, would I be unemployable as an accountant?

SmallBlue

Would I be right in thinking that the fees for a PhD in business in UL is not eligible for tax relief? Or is it covered by "Doctor of Philosophy". The list below is from http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/postgraduate-courses-2012-2013.pdf

By Research & Thesis
Master of Business
Master of Arts
Master of Surgery
Master of Education
Master of Engineering
Master of Law
Doctor of Medicine
Masters Qualifier
Master of Architecture
Master of Science
Master of Technology
Structured PhD in Education
Structured PhD in Health Sciences
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Doctor of Philosophy
Structured PhD in Applied Language Studies
Structured PhD in Criminal Justice
Structured PhD in Politics
Structured PhD in New Media & Film
Structured PhD in Social Science
PhD Arts in Practice

Michael Collins

SmallBlue wrote: »

Would I be right in thinking that the fees for a PhD in business in UL is not eligible for tax relief? Or is it covered by "Doctor of Philosophy". The list below is from http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/postgraduate-courses-2012-2013.pdf

By Research & Thesis
Master of Business
Master of Arts
Master of Surgery
Master of Education
Master of Engineering
Master of Law
Doctor of Medicine
Masters Qualifier
Master of Architecture
Master of Science
Master of Technology
Structured PhD in Education
Structured PhD in Health Sciences
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Doctor of Philosophy
Structured PhD in Applied Language Studies
Structured PhD in Criminal Justice
Structured PhD in Politics
Structured PhD in New Media & Film
Structured PhD in Social Science
PhD Arts in Practice

Certainly looks eligible for tax relief according to that document. That's for the 2012/2013 academic year of course, but I'd say it's a safe bet that PhDs will be covered for the foreseeable future.

djpbarry

SmallBlue wrote: »

Ideally, I'd like to get into lecturing. I wouldn't be hugely interested in ongoing research...

You don't need a PhD to lecture. If you have no interest in a career in research (doesn't necessarily have to be academic research), then I would strongly advise against pursuing a PhD.

djpbarry

SmallBlue wrote: »

Would I be right in thinking that the fees for a PhD in business in UL is not eligible for tax relief?

If the position is funded then you don't have to worry about such things. I would advise against anyone pursuing a non-funded PhD.

ucdperson

I know it's very difficult to get a lecturing job in general,

Lecturing positions in accounting are easier to get than many disciplines, there isn't a massive supply of people with accounting PhDs in Ireland, as the salaries are not attractive when compared with the private sector or academic positions in America etc.

what are the prospects like in the area of business?

In Ireland a PhD is not well regarded in the private sector, who don't have much regard for rigour. In other European countries this is different and multinationals may well have a more mature view.

You don't need a PhD to lecture. If you have no interest in a career in research (doesn't necessarily have to be academic research), then I would strongly advise against pursuing a PhD

Absolutely. If you have something new to contribute to knowledge then follow the PhD route and keep on researching. Do a PhD at the most reputable university that will admit you. If you simply want to disseminate existing knowledge than you can lecture in an IT or in the Institute etc.

SmallBlue

Thanks for the info guys. A lot of food for thought. I think I'm going to put the PhD idea on the back burner for 12 months until I can get a better feel for whether I'm cut out for academic research personality and temperament wise.