3 ms·

It's funny how experiences can differ so much -- academia really varies a lot. There's all this talk about what a PhD really means as a credential, while I've n

by knzhou 7y ago

It's funny how experiences can differ so much -- academia really varies a lot. There's all this talk about what a PhD really means as a credential, while I've never thought about it that way. In my corner of physics, a PhD just doesn't work as a credential: it cannot be used to impress anybody in industry because my field has no near-term applications. What matters is the PhD process, a period of relatively stable funding where you can focus on learning and research without interruption. Some people even fight their advisors to get their PhD degree later, because it marks the end of that stable period and the start of the rat race for postdoc and faculty positions. In other words, the value of the PhD is entirely in the space it gives you to think about something you love. Bickering over who deserves the title of PhD seems to miss the point.

mnky9800n 7y ago
even this can lead to problems. i entered my phd after working in the field for several years as a research scientist. because of my experience i have been put in charge of internships, advising many masters students, organizing workshops, etc. all on top of the research im supposed to spend my time doing. this is all okay i suppose, because i've been able to be a very productive phd in addition to everything else ive done. but my phd compatriots have a lot more time in their days to pursue their interests in comparison to me. i hate it when people say a person is "too old" to do a phd, but I think there is a place where you may be too experienced and it would be better to do a phd in another field you find fascinating but have no experience in.
aspaceman 7y ago
This is extremely different. From what I've heard, physics and mathematics are much better at shielding their students from a lot of the bad stuff in academia till later. Which is good in some ways and bad in others I suppose.

by knzhou 7y ago

mnky9800n 7y ago

even this can lead to problems. i entered my phd after working in the field for several years as a research scientist. because of my experience i have been put in charge of internships, advising many masters students, organizing workshops, etc. all on top of the research im supposed to spend my time doing. this is all okay i suppose, because i've been able to be a very productive phd in addition to everything else ive done. but my phd compatriots have a lot more time in their days to pursue their interests in comparison to me. i hate it when people say a person is "too old" to do a phd, but I think there is a place where you may be too experienced and it would be better to do a phd in another field you find fascinating but have no experience in.

aspaceman 7y ago

This is extremely different. From what I've heard, physics and mathematics are much better at shielding their students from a lot of the bad stuff in academia till later. Which is good in some ways and bad in others I suppose.