PhD Museum Studies Or Work

Hi all, I just received an offer covering tuition for a PhD in Museum Studies focusing on decolonisation and the local area around the university. I am graduating from an MA in Museum Studies and am trying to figure out if it is better to take the fully funded PhD OR work in the field. I was planning to work until last night when I got the email. I'm thinking about appearing overqualified for museum positions after the PhD but it seems like such a special opportunity to just ignore. I'm not sure the area of museums I'd like to work in, but I do want to keep doing work on decolonisation, inclusion and diversity. If continuing I'd be able to work 20 hours/week with my visa and would try to continue volunteering in museums while studying. Thanks for any insight!

Reply 1

Rincewind_Bored

If you're leaning towards working in the museum field, I'd recommend going down that path instead of pursuing the PhD, especially if your long-term goal isn't necessarily to stay in academia or teach. PhDs are incredibly valuable in certain contexts, particularly if you're aiming for a career in research or higher education, but they can sometimes be seen as a bit too niche or even intimidating in the broader job market.

In the museum sector, practical experience, networking, and a strong track record of hands-on work often carry more weight than academic qualifications alone. By working in the field now, you can build valuable experience, establish connections, and make a direct impact in the areas of decolonisation, inclusion, and diversity—areas that are increasingly important in the sector.

Plus, starting work sooner rather than later allows you to explore different roles within museums and find out exactly where your interests lie. You mentioned that you're not sure which area of museums you'd like to work in, so gaining experience across different roles could help you make a more informed decision about your career path.

Of course, the offer of a fully funded PhD is tempting, but unless you're passionate about research or planning to stay in academia, it might be more strategic to gain experience in the field and possibly consider further study later on, if it aligns more closely with your career goals.

Reply 2

xyz1234567

I would say that if your goal is to work in the museum sector, having a PhD will not make you over-qualified. Rather it shows you have research level expertise in the sector. It’s an academic-adjacent sector where many curators will themselves be researchers with PhDs, not like the wider job market.