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[3rd tier PhD]

I know there was an earlier thread about grad school pedigree recently, and this sort of relates.

If you went to non-prestigious PhD granting school (even if your own field ranks your department highly), can you, and should you "re-do" your PhD?

If you have a PhD already, and a tenure-track job, is it worth it to "start over" and get a new PhD from a better place? I'm 34...there seems like there is time left! Will your "new school" cover up your first PhD?

Also, how much should a post-doc help? I tried that already over the past two years...got one from a top 25 state flagship and kept a t-t job at the same time...but still no major improvments when looking for a new position.

[anon]

That's an interesting question.  I do know of people with dual phds, but always in different (but usually complementary) subjects.  I really doubt you could get a second phd at a top school in something you've already got a phd in.

Now, getting a phd in a field that has less of an oversupply might help a lot in getting a job, though in the time it takes to get a phd who knows what those fields will be.

[anon]

hmm....even if the answer is yes, it may not be worth it... even with a name brand pedigree, it'll still be hard.  I've noticed that some schools do not allow someone with a doctoral degree to apply for graduate study, even in a different field. (Not counting holders of professional degrees such as M.D., D.D.S., etc.)  I can't imagine doing this in the same field...

[TBD]

This is a scream.  And related.  The salary inversion is so bad at our place-- a new assistant professor might get $50,000 or $52,000 to start (market price) while an associate professor with ten years of service might conceivably still be at $46,000 or so-- that one guy (associate professor) applied for an assistant job in another but related department he was also qualified for.  No joke.

Makes a nice statement, even if his application may not be taken seriously.  

I think the era of leaving a tenure track job just for the raise is just around the corner.

[3rd tier PhD]

I've heard that it is possible to do two in related fields such as literature and film, but then the second PhD at the better school isn't regarded as highly since they know you had a PhD already before they even took you. You were low risk.

Are there any other ways to raise your pedigree then?

[Visiting ass't. prof.]

I also know of people with two Ph.D.s but always in different fields.  When they matriculated at their second institution, it was always because they wanted to switch fields (rather than attempting a step up in the cultural-capital ladder).

Also, I have a Ph.D. from a prestigious institution, and it's still hard.  I also have a dissertation award, famous advisors, publications, and I'm well-connected in the field because I tend to be very friendly and outgoing at conferences... and, yes, it's still hard.

[anon47]

If you really want an academic job, I recommend getting that second PhD in nursing.  :)

I'm guessing that the demand won't go away even in the time it takes to get the degree (though it might go away for say, finance).  I remember when there were no phd computer scientists to fill jobs, but now there's a big oversupply.

[3rd tier PhD]

Good to know, Visiting.

I know you said it is hard, but does your pedigree really ever open more doors for you? If so, how so?

[Cake]

I have heard of only a few dual PHD's in my life and they were already superstars.  I think a better bet might be to get a book or something published with a top-rated publisher, it would be way easier than doing a PhD over again.  Of course this begs the question;  how do you get a contract with a top rated publisher without pedigree?  Don't know, but it is done.  More common is to get a professional degree (JD, MBA, EdD), which might help choices but perhpas not pedigree.  I have seen upward mobility on this basis, it is very hard, yet it is done, even from the third tier.

[wondering]

hey, dont you have a faculty contract with salaries specified. At my univ. witha  contract assistants have a floor salary and there are steps for experience. perhaps the asst profs salaries you are quoting are based on experiences?

[anon2]

It sounds like you're unionized

many schools (especially state schools) have higher salaries for entering people than for experienced professors because of years of salary freezes.  They have to offer more to get new people, but they only give raises to people with outside offers.

[TBD]

Right, the floors are lower than the old hands' salaries.  But they are offering "normal" salaries to new people.

[moom]

I think the only way is to publish and grant yourself to stardom. Two PhDs from the same country in the same field would look very weird.

People have suggested to me to do a PhD by publication in a different field which is possible at some universities in British Commonwealth countries, but it won't work for me (you need a connection already to the granting university) and why would it impress anyone anyway? You just get a degree for publications you already have.

[Sharon]

If I were in the search committee at Harvard, and you would apply with your two PhD, I would probably whisper to myself: "Poor thing! This guy really has a very low self-esteem..." and I would not hire you. People in general look for authenticity and you being one of a kind. Those who strive too hard to please others are despised. My two cents.

[anon]

I don't think I would link it to low self-esteem were I on a hiring committee (Harvard or elsewhere).  I would just assume that you'd decided your calling in life was whatever your second PhD was.