Re:Ask HN: Career Advice. Grad School vs. Industry?
by seanmcdirmid on Sunday March 22, 2015 @09:10PM
(#9248956)
> On a slightly different note, every PhD I know, self included, has a story about how they almost failed out of or otherwise left graduate school if not for some serendipitous event. I have yet to meet someone who doesn't have such a story.
Ya, neither have I.
The PhD for me was a personal journey that I'm better off personally for taking. It hasn't made me much richer, however (no one should go to grad school for the money!). Also, getting a PhD should NEVER be your plan B.
Re:Ask HN: Career Advice. Grad School vs. Industry?
by go1979 on Monday March 23, 2015 @12:57PM
(#9251903)
I regret the PhD. To be precise, grad school won't just not make you richer, it will make you poorer.
Forgetting about the money bit (ha!), lets talk pure knowledge. I learned a lot more on the job than I did in school. In my specific case, I wouldn't have gotten those jobs without the PhD. However, I firmly believe there are high learning jobs that can be had without a PhD.
In CS, a PhD gets paid mid 6 figures. That is also what the average mid career developer gets paid. Go figure.
Unless you're really into research on a particularly narrow topic for 3+ years (and not a topic of your choice, one of your advisor's choice), you don't want to do a PhD and should stay away. Take the four extra years of income instead.
On a slightly different note, every PhD I know, self included, has a story about how they almost failed out of or otherwise left graduate school if not for some serendipitous event. I have yet to meet someone who doesn't have such a story.