3 ms·
Are the prospects this bad in math as well?
by aswanson 19y ago
Are the prospects this bad in math as well?
- pixcavator 19y agoYes. The only difference (but a big one in my view) is that you are an independent researcher from the very beginning.
- hhm 19y agoWhy independent?
- pixcavator 19y agoI don't understand the question.
- hhm 19y agoSorry, my question is: why are math researchers more independent than others?
- pixcavator 19y agoWhat I meant is that as early as in grad school you start working entirely on your own and your advisor is just that, advisor. He is not going to prove your theorems for you. As far as I know in other fields it takes a while to reach this level of independence.
- hhm 19y agoThanks a lot for your reply; I'm starting studies on maths and I was very interested on this.
- yummyfajitas 19y agoYes. In my year, we had 12 people entering at Rutgers. 2 graduated in 5 years, and got good postdocs after 1 year (one went to UIUC, I'm at Courant). We are the only ones who have a real shot at research oriented tenure track. 1 dropped out in the first year, 2 more have or are dropping out with a masters (1 after 4.5 years, 1 after 6). 3 more will graduate after 6 years, IF they can find a job (50% odds). One guy has a wife, and hopes he can find a job in the NYC area (he's looking at a 4+4 teaching load). I know other people who have such jobs: none like them. 1 more is potentially a long termer (he hopes to graduate in 7 years). The only major difference is that you will probably not be a technician (as described by this guy), you will do your own research from the beginning. You can also survive without grants, though it will hurt your career.