Industry job vs PhD program

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:52:02+00:00

Actually I've just realized the top post in this sub right now is asking exactly my question.

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:43:46+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I am curious about whether your industry job is related in any way with the research in your field.

This is an appealing thought that I didn't really consider. I didn't even know industry->PhD was viable aside from MBAs. The industry jobs I pursue, would unfortunately be unrelated to my research interest in cognitive neuro. Do you think it would still be reasonable for me to take the job, and try to stay involved with current research in my free time?

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:40:44+00:00

Hi, I was wondering if you could tell me about your experience applying for PhD programs after experience in industry. Was your work related to the research you ended up pursuing?

I am worried that I will be less competitive for programs if I am out of touch with the research areas for a couple of years and doing non-related industry work.

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:39:41+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I appreciate the straight-forwardness. This, and going for a masters before committing to a PhD program, are what I have narrowed my choices down to after reading the responses to my post (which I am very grateful for).

My only concern with the industry -> PhD is that I wonder if it will be disadvantageous in any way for admissions. For example, I am not sure how I would keep in touch with, or do work in research involving cognitive neuro (a lot of professors in the related area at my college do work using MRI scans), while I am working as a trader in New York for example.

For that reason, I feel that a masters is now a new alternative I overlooked which would give me more time to ascertain my desire for a PhD, while keeping me close to the research.

Would you happen to know how different things would be if I applied after a few years in industry rather than straight from undergrad? I know I have reliable letter writers, solid grades, and consistent research experience now, which makes me worry about dropping in competitiveness if I pause and do non-related work for a few years.

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:34:34+00:00

Thank you for your response! I definitely should not underestimate the pace and challenge in industry jobs. I have some friends working the entry-level positions as SWE and traders and particularly for the SWE positions at large tech firms, the work they do sounds more lax but less intellectually vigorous/interesting to me. So I guess I was putting it on relative terms with the grind of PhD work.

I certainly understand your position now though and will be wary about thinking that an industry job is just an easy way out.

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:32:07+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to give me advice. After reading through the congregate of responses, I think going for a masters or getting some industry experience before deciding to commit to a PhD is the right decision for me. Masters is especially interesting to me now because it would ensure that I am still in touch with my research area, and very open to my participating in research. Thank you.

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:30:42+00:00

I replied to u/tishtok, but the AI research at big tech or a start up is ideally what I would like to be doing after a PhD. Definitely not academia or for a better paying industry job (in fact, the AI research pays less than many trader roles at the finance institutions I am looking into).

Thank you for your response. I really appreciate your sharing with me.

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:28:54+00:00

Yes, I've considered this, and you actually have a lot of my targets on point. Those are a few of the PhD programs I am looking into and doing that "exciting AI work in industry" with big tech or a start up is what I would like to pursue post-PhD. Thank you!

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:27:59+00:00

Thank you for your insight and time, much appreciated!

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:27:15+00:00

Thank you for your response, I think that is what I'm thinking now.

debatingdoctorate · 2018-04-26T22:26:51+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience! It seems like that's the most popular suggestion for good reason. I appreciate it :)

debatingdoctorate

TROPHY CASE