mitchraft
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« on: January 30, 2010, 01:56:37 AM » |
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Hi everyone, I started my PhD (in Marine Technology) about 8 month ago .I got the offer by my uni to continue straight after completing my Bachelor. I took the offer considering it to be a good opportunity for me as I would like to experience something ‘new’. I am currently experiencing a self-motivation, isolation and confusing lifestyle (yeah…that’s new).
Many of my peers seem to be doing well, working as engineers or naval architect after graduation. I am very confused since being a lecturer and researcher is as interesting as being as an engineer/naval architect. Should I continue with my PhD? or will I be better off working? Can anyone tell me on what to expect in a lecturer/researcher career? Is it very routine? Please Advice.
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scampster
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« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2010, 02:08:16 AM » |
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A research position will most likely not be routine, but working will be probably become routine very quickly (especially with just a bachelors). At least this was my experience in engineering.
But that being said, I don't regret working before my PhD at all. I was more committed to getting the degree since I knew for sure that I didn't want to work in consulting. I also have a better sense of where my future students will be working.
Only you can answer if you should continue with the PhD.
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When you are a scientist your opinions and prejudices become facts. Science is like magic that way!
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msparticularity
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« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2010, 02:37:56 AM » |
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If you have funding, you are probably considerably better off than you would be in the job market right now. Hiring prospects for young people (between 19-26, I think, according to a news report I saw earlier in the week) are worse than they have been since the Great Depression. In other words, to reduce this whole thing to a very practical level, perhaps you might as well regard this as your job for the time being, and work on a PhD while you wait for the market to pick up.
And, incidentally, my own daughter is graduating from college this year. She had planned to take a year or two off between undergrad and grad school so she could get some work experience in the applied field she is interested in. Right now, though, these organizations are laying off employees rather than hiring, so she is going ahead and applying to grad school for next year after all. Hopefully, she'll be able to get some experience through unpaid internships, but also get funded through her program. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed!
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"Once admit that the sole verifiable or fruitful object of knowledge is the particular set of changes that generate the object of study...and no intelligible question can be asked about what, by assumption, lies outside." John Dewey
"Be particular." Jill Conner Browne
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ursula
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« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2010, 10:41:36 AM » |
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Better in what way? Better for what?
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"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair."
Jack Layton, 1950-2011
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locutus
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« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2010, 11:40:35 AM » |
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Is it possible to do a little of both? I know that it's not typical but I do know a few people who take time off to work. They're both in fields with strong connections to industry. Is that possible in your field and or program?
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Render unto Geedorah what is Geedorah's.
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pgher
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« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2010, 03:45:31 PM » |
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I took a circuitous route to my Ph.D. in engineering. When I completed my BS, I didn't feel like I knew anything, so I went to grad school for an MS. After that, I felt like I needed to learn how real engineering is done. After several years in industry, I reached a point where I wasn't learning any more. I went back and got my Ph.D. and am now a professor. I don't regret a thing, and actually, I have several peers who took similar paths. I believe that my industry experience makes me a better engineer, and hence a better professor.
Do you have an option to leave after earning an MS? In some fields (including mine), the job options become much more interesting at the MS level than at the BS level, and then change significantly at the Ph.D. level.
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mitchraft
New member
Posts: 3
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« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2010, 09:32:17 AM » |
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for the comments.
I am actually under a contract with my sponsorship (sponsoring my undergraduate studies) and was given an option to either work for the company upon graduation or to just pay off my scholarship. Anyway, I am currently relaying on my research grant for allowances. My plan is to work for the company for about 6 years and then move into the academic sector. However, I had already consulted the company and they are still uncertain on my job position upon my PhD graduation. Is it better for me to work and gain experience first or should I just continue with my PhD and gain experience later on? What is the differences?
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kron3007
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« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2010, 04:49:55 PM » |
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That's like asking which is better, apple juice or orange juice? I dont think that there is any correct answer here, it just depends on your situation.
I would only persue a PhD if you are really interested in the research, otherwise it is a long haul. That being said, if you dont do it now you likely wont ever do it.
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tee_bee
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« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2010, 03:05:05 PM » |
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Better in what way? Better for what?
PhD is much better. It was easier to meet girls my age, I drank lots of beer, and could crash at my girlfriend's apartment and just borrow her FMLN or Che T-Shirts to wear the next day. Beat the hell out of putting on a suit and working. I suspect, however, this really isn't the question. But the "poll" could be interpreted this way. |
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Poll
