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The thing that worries me is that there are somewhat limited compiler jobs and so if I have to wait for one the PhD would hurt me as my specialty would not be s

• brudgers 10y ago
  My childhood friend Mike is a Phd organic chemist. His dissertation was on detecting chemical weapons. He went to work for Coke a Cola. I don't think it was due to a strong opinion about high fructose corn syrup. I think it was because his training made him able to learn the aspects of organic chemistry that were relevant to the business of selling sugar water and because he knew his way around a chemical lab and equipment. His Phd also got him an interview and qualified him for the position. That seems pretty typical regarding the vocational aspect of getting a Phd. An interest in compilers would be valuable for sustaining a person over the span of years it takes to earn a Phd. On the other hand, I don't know would and wouldn't be considered 'a compiler job' by you and who knows what the 'compiler job' market will be in a few years and how it will relate to what tiny piece of compilers you might work on while pursuing the degree. Anyway, where you go to school and who your advisor is will also affect how relevant your study is to company's that hire people for 'compiler jobs.' Good luck.
  • jetti 10y ago
    Thanks for your feedback. I never really thought about the skills transferring but looking at it the low level optimization that would occur when researching compilers would give me a leg up on positions that would require that kind of work.