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I have heard that getting a PhD can be so political and soul destroying that only those that really need or want it or have no other better options make it thro
by jjeaff 7y ago
I have heard that getting a PhD can be so political and soul destroying that only those that really need or want it or have no other better options make it through. Not sure how universal that is though.
- lrem 7y agoI did my PhD in the French Riviera. Some people were maxing out the extensions on their funding not because they couldn't defend on schedule, but they simply enjoyed their current work. But that might speak more to the misery of postdoc, than to the joy of PhD? I remember doctoral studies very fondly. But finished on time and moved to the industry, because once you graduate, the academic job market is outright depressing.
- refurb 7y agoFrom the PhDs I know, yes, it's true. Grad school can be brutal, but there are a few ways around that: 1. Most of the "soul destroying" aspect of graduate school is because you're at your PIs mercy when it comes to landing a post-doc or industry position. Without a good reference from your PI, you're truly screwed. If I were to do a PhD in retirement, I don't need any of that. Worse comes to worse, I can just leave. 2. I would also find a PI who was later on in years (professor emeritus)? They've been there, done that, have a steady flow of grant money and nothing to prove. I worked with a prof like this in school and he came into the lab purely out of enjoyment of science. Screw the grind.