u/CheeseLouiseEatsMacN

I'm American, considering pursuing a PhD after a long break (at least a decade, wouldn't start before 2018) since my other graduate studies. However, I'm aware that I'm not the strongest candidate: I do NOT do substantial/long research and writing work as part of my job - never have. I also did not have very high grades: I was around the median, and was on a non-prestigious journal, when in school. I have started doing occasional adjucting but it's not steady and not a top law school. The feedback I've received is that I may not have a viable path to (secured, university level, livable wage) teaching jobs after PhD completion, and continuing my current career path may be a more sure way.

However, I'm hopeful that I have a path towards Canadian PR (through spouse), and I do have a job that is remote-first and able to set up *legal* employment for it's employees in Canada. I've moved countries before so I feel comfortable with a cultural change. So I thought perhaps doing a PhD while also working could potentially be viable. (I do like my job and it's relevant policy work, and it's fairly flexible.) I do already have a relevant Master, though I'm not sure if those classes would be accepted towards a PhD given the time in-between. But in this circumstance I could pursue 'the dream' while not needing additional funding for living. I have visited Vancouver a couple times and liked it, but I already live in a cold state so would be fine being on the East (though no French knowledge).

Is this a viable idea, or just off-kilter? Any feedback welcome.

I'm exploring the idea of returning to do a PhD in a couple years, starting in probably 2028 or 2029, in political science or something similar.

I'm American, and I already have law degree (JD) and masters (MPP) from a Top 14 U.S. university (and my undergrad is from a no-name place), and have been working in the policy world for a decade now. I have begun to do some limited adjunct teaching on the side, and very much enjoy it. However, I do NOT do substantial/long research and writing work as part of my job - never have. I also did not have very high grades: I was around the median, and was on a non-prestigious journal, when in school. I would also only be interested in a funded PhD, because I need to cover my own basic needs (though I can be frugal), and I'd strongly prefer NOT to have to take the GRE.

Questions... What do you think the likelihood that I could get accepted to a funded PhD? Are there certain programs/universities that would be more open to this type of candidate? And if there's any chance - what can I do now to make myself a stronger candidate/prepare for the application? I didn't keep in touch with professors in the past decade, and one who was a key reference for me has now retired as a result of a serious medical situation, so I'd presume I'd be getting reference letters from work colleagues? I am pushing to continue the adjunct university teaching - hard to know it it'll work though, since a lot is out of my control for that - and to be part of a small team drafting a position paper that we'll try to place as a journal article, hopefully to be published in early 2027 so able to include that in applications. I also do a lot of supervision and mentorship of younger staff at work, but I don't know if that even matters.

Is there something else I should be asking or thinking about?

Location-wise: I would be open in a degree in Canada or Western Europe, mostly as a way to also live abroad, but otherwise (if in the US) would prefer not the South for cultural-fit reasons. I'm not too caught up with it being an ultra-prestigious program, but I would want to make sure it's a legitimate program, and that I would not box myself out of employment afterwards.