Most students enrolled in PhD programs hope to become professors. Therefore, obtaining teaching experience is key. Many programs offer students the opportunity to hone their teaching skills by working as teaching assistants. These positions are often connected to a student's financial aid package, allowing the student to earn money towards her education while learning to teach. Teaching experience gives PhD students hands-on opportunities to learn the tools needed to help and guide students.
A major goal of a PhD program is for the student to obtain mastery of a particular subject area. This process involves reading all published literature in a given subject area. Students usually start this process by studying the primary texts of the field and then honing in on specific sub topics, via publications such as scholarly journals. This work is done both independently and as part of the student's academic course work. Studying a topic thoroughly is an imperative skill for the PhD student since most schools will require special examinations meant to test a student's understanding of a given topic.
The specifics of research requirements for a PhD largely depend upon the field. Some research involves conducting specific types of experiments while some involves discovering new theories and principles based on observations or analysis of past work. Developing abilities as a researcher is important for a PhD student to be successful. A researcher aims to develop new techniques and deepen the understanding of a specific field. Research is a major focus for any PhD student. Therefore, it is important that a student pursuing a PhD studies a topic that she finds interesting and won't become bored with after a few years of focused exploration and study.
A PhD student is required to present the results of his research in the form of a detailed, formal paper called a dissertation. A student is required to not only complete and submit a written dissertation but also to defend his research orally, usually in front of a committee of professors. The writing of a dissertation requires planning and perseverance. Skills needed include being able to organize and make sense of the subject and to transform research into a clear, written document. PhD students must develop skills at writing, usually in a concise, scientific format, and must learn to present their materials in a cohesive, brief and easily understandable fashion.