Should I Pursue a PhD?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25115264

by falsecaca • 6 years ago

1 2 6 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Is it of added value for Computer Science or Data Science fields? What are the trade-offs? Or the benefits are more or less as having a masters degree? Thanks

giantg2• 6 years ago

I think you'll get more responses if you add "ASK HN: " in front of your title.

A very similar question was asked recently and is probably still available on the "ask" page or at least through search.

My opinion on this is that a PhD is only valuable in certain fields or job types. Having a PhD will help you get a research position, teaching position, or select 'high-end' jobs. You can still do research jobs or teaching jobs with a masters, but people with a PhD would likely rise to the top of the resume pile over a masters degree candidate. What I mean by 'high-end' jobs would be things like Data Science or AI/ML researchers/leads for Google, finance, etc.

That being said, if your current company will pay for the PhD (or allow you to pursue one while paying your normal salary) and you have the time to do it, then it just becomes a question of how much do you want it.

I thought about doing an online DSc for data science since my company would pay for 90% of it. But in the end I felt that it wouldn't give me enough benefit over my MSIS to be worth that 10% and, more importantly, my time. I have come to accept that I'm just a midlevel dev with no potential. I'll work my job (that I hate) for as long as I can and save as much money as possible so that one day I can quit.

JHLewisJr• 6 years ago

I just completed a late in life PhD (a few months ago), so this is my reasoning and experience. I wish I had completed a PhD a lot earlier in my life. It is a great experience - the depth of research is unlike any commercial research job I have had in the past.

I am not sure you can look at it entirely as a financial transaction: I do this PhD and then I get a certain financial return. You do not know the job market in 3 to 5 years or if your research will be in demand. You have to do it because you really like the topic and want to become an expert (or be on your way to expert status).

If your goal is basically financial, look for company sponsorship or PhDs in countries other than America. It is much cheaper overseas and most students receive a job which covers expenses. Keep the opportunity costs low.

An MS degree from a good school, in a hot topic, will be much better than a PhD from a low ranked school or an unpopular topic.

I have noticed that the students who do well in their career post PhD select their supervisor and topic based on what is in demand. Other students work on what they love - and maybe do not have as lucrative a career. But maybe they do not care about money.

In the end, you will be more valuable. You have to decide if the cost benefit analysis works for you. There are a lot of forums where PhD students discuss their frustrations and goals. Just do a search and start looking at them.

To get an idea of the life of a PhD student, and to meet some current students, attend research seminars (most are now virtual) at the school and topic of interest. See what you think and ask the students what they think. Good Luck!

Should I Pursue a PhD?

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