In a nutshell, doctoral programs train you to be a contributing citizen of one or more academic disciplines. This is huge. It means that (if the program is successful), you will have the foundational knowledge and skill sets, and will understand the culture and practices to contribute knowledge to the world. You will have demonstrated your first contribution of new knowledge to the world – this is your dissertation. You will understand the importance of participating within a community of scientists – a “field”, by being able to identify and digest existing work so that you can leverage your contribution on top of what already exists. This will launch you and your new work several steps upward, so that you aren’t recreating the wheel, and can therefore make a bigger contribution. You will learn how to think practically – how to ask a question that can be accomplished within time and money constraints, which are ever-present. You will learn the strategy of how to communicate why your work is important and why it should be funded or shared with the world through publication. You will begin to participate in making decisions about whether others’ work is funded or shared with the world. You will also have an enhanced ability to continue developing after the doctoral program is over. You will BE a scientist. You will HAVE expertise. You will KNOW how to move forward.