My PhD Journey

Index

Why A PhD?

During my master Urban Geography, I was told that if I wanted to pursue a PhD at that time (2004-2007), I would have to complete the one-year pre-master and the two-year research master Urban Geography. I no longer had 'studiebeurs', and combing a full-time job with full-time studies for three years would have been too much, so I did the one-year pre-master and the one-year master Urban Geography. When I worked at STOGO Onderzoek + Advies I could have started a PhD on the database of Human Geography students and the work they were doing after graduation. I was tempted, but told the director that my PhD would lean to heavy on my bachelor Business Economics instead of on both my studies, the master Urban Geography and the bachelor Business Economics. In 2023, I started looking for a doctoral program, knowing that the ‘Hogescholen’ in The Netherlands had started an experiment with their own doctoral program, PD. After completing the Pre-PD, I knew I wanted a PhD not a PD. In February 2026, I will start my Dual PhD program. I think this is going to be the one, because I can combine my business with my PhD-Journey. It will be hard work, but I think it is worth it.