Canadian (ON)- To do a PhD or not do a PhD...?

[amyboo91]

Hi all.  I'm just finishing the first year of my MA and I'm trying to decide on my future- hoping for some insight. 

 

Background:  I was planning on a terminal MA, but my supervisor just informed me of an upcoming research project that aligns perfectly with my interests, so now I'm considering a PhD.  Currently I'm studying emergent literacy in an Aboriginal preschool population.  I'm interested in evaluation and assessment, as well as curriculum development (School Psychology basically, although my MA is simply Developmental Psych).  I would love to do research, but I don't want to be a professor...not my thing.

 

So my question is- is it worth it to do a PhD if I don't want to go into academia? I've heard that it doesn't drastically improve your salary or job opportunities, unless you want an academic position.  I hate to sound like I'm only doing this for the money because I truly love what I'm doing, but I'm trying to be realistic...living in Ontario is not cheap haha.  No sense spending 4 more years in school unless it will impact my chances of doing what I want to be doing

 

Any suggestions? Any Canadian psych grads out there who have found employment with a MA/MSc? Is finding a non-academic research position possible?

 

Thanks in advance!