The rising cost of post-secondary education has made earning a doctorate degree prohibitive for those who prefer to pursue their education without working full or part time concurrently. Many who wish to pursue a PhD have no choice but to find employment that will sustain them through their postgraduate education. The attempt to juggle work and education can hold both positives and negatives for postgraduate students.

Of course, most PhD candidates seek employment opportunities in their chosen field of study. Positions such as these can be difficult to find, however. Even if they are available, they are often unpaid internships or pay so little that they defeat the purpose of finding a job. Most students who must work have to rely on other employment possibilities to make ends meet. After all, student loans will only pay for so much after tuition, fees and materials. Many students who could earn their degree without working choose to anyway in order to help pay for student loans so that they aren't saddled with the complete cost of their education upon graduation. Some students have full-time day jobs and go to school at night while others have night jobs and attend classes during the day. Either way, it can be extremely difficult to balance work, study and any semblance of a social life.

It is for this reason that most doctoral students don't have much of a life beyond the pursuit of an education and their employment. Of course, those who pursue advanced degrees are already showing a commitment to maximizing their potential in order to secure increased financial security, so most are more than willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary in order to finish their education. Still, it's never easy to forgo money and free time for any reason. As with any endeavor, there is always an opportunity cost associated with both the time and money invested. Most doctorate students, however, understand that by limiting their incomes and social interactions at this crucial point in their academic lives, they are effectively investing in their future. As many are sure to find out, a little moderation now will most likely pay colossal dividends in the not so distant future.