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I do believe that word is spreading amongst possible students about the actual value of a graduate education. I feel that my PhD is valuable, but not execptiona

by markkat 15y ago

I do believe that word is spreading amongst possible students about the actual value of a graduate education. I feel that my PhD is valuable, but not execptionally so. I could be earning much more now had I just gone into the job market. However, it is very difficult to get funded as a researcher without a PhD. That's probably the most valuable component of my degree. It's a certificate in that sense. That said, funding is decreasing and the number of people fighting for it is increasing, which makes it less valuable. All this aside, a PhD is worth next to nothing in my eyes. I know brilliant, capable people without them, and dull incompetent people that have earned them.

yid 15y ago
> That said, funding is decreasing and the number of people fighting for it is increasing, which makes it less valuable. How does that make sense? If the supply is decreasing and competition for it simultaneously increasing, how does that make it less valuable (even in the cynical view of the PhD as a commodity)? > All this aside, a PhD is worth next to nothing in my eyes. I know brilliant, capable people without them, and dull incompetent people that have earned them. As I mentioned in my earlier comment, unless the PhD in question scammed the system (it happens), it at least proves that they have the focus to go deep. It's not a double implication though, which is what people seem to forget and then go on hyperbolic rants.
- klbarry 15y ago
  Funding: Down PhDs wanting funding: Up Less funding per PhD="making it [having a PhD] less valuable"
- markkat 15y ago
  >How does that make sense? If the supply is decreasing and competition for it simultaneously increasing, how does that make it less valuable (even in the cynical view of the PhD as a commodity)? A degree is a commodity. The education behind it might be less so. I don't see it as cynical. The funding system requires a PhD, which confers a type of value on the degree. As you describe, yes, funding is currently very valuable, the degree has become less so. >As I mentioned in my earlier comment, unless the PhD in question scammed the system (it happens), it at least proves that they have the focus to go deep. It's not a double implication though, which is what people seem to forget and then go on hyperbolic rants. It doesn't necessarily require a scam. For example, sometimes the candidate of an advisor that is not very involved, but brings a lot of money and/or reputation, can slip through without proper scrutiny. Sometimes the committee is dysfunctional. There are many reasons why it happens.
skidooer 15y ago
I'm not certain education ever had financial value. Certainly the experience itself is valuable for personal growth, and should not be discounted for that reason, but there was never much reason to be there just for future job prospects alone. Generally speaking, the qualities in someone that lead to success in business are the same qualities that leads one to succeed in their educational pursuits. It stands to reason that historically those who have higher education will do better in business. However, those qualities do not come from the education itself and any connection is merely correlation, not causation.

by markkat 15y ago

yid 15y ago

> That said, funding is decreasing and the number of people fighting for it is increasing, which makes it less valuable. How does that make sense? If the supply is decreasing and competition for it simultaneously increasing, how does that make it less valuable (even in the cynical view of the PhD as a commodity)? > All this aside, a PhD is worth next to nothing in my eyes. I know brilliant, capable people without them, and dull incompetent people that have earned them. As I mentioned in my earlier comment, unless the PhD in question scammed the system (it happens), it at least proves that they have the focus to go deep. It's not a double implication though, which is what people seem to forget and then go on hyperbolic rants.

klbarry 15y ago
Funding: Down PhDs wanting funding: Up Less funding per PhD="making it [having a PhD] less valuable"
markkat 15y ago
>How does that make sense? If the supply is decreasing and competition for it simultaneously increasing, how does that make it less valuable (even in the cynical view of the PhD as a commodity)? A degree is a commodity. The education behind it might be less so. I don't see it as cynical. The funding system requires a PhD, which confers a type of value on the degree. As you describe, yes, funding is currently very valuable, the degree has become less so. >As I mentioned in my earlier comment, unless the PhD in question scammed the system (it happens), it at least proves that they have the focus to go deep. It's not a double implication though, which is what people seem to forget and then go on hyperbolic rants. It doesn't necessarily require a scam. For example, sometimes the candidate of an advisor that is not very involved, but brings a lot of money and/or reputation, can slip through without proper scrutiny. Sometimes the committee is dysfunctional. There are many reasons why it happens.

skidooer 15y ago

I'm not certain education ever had financial value. Certainly the experience itself is valuable for personal growth, and should not be discounted for that reason, but there was never much reason to be there just for future job prospects alone. Generally speaking, the qualities in someone that lead to success in business are the same qualities that leads one to succeed in their educational pursuits. It stands to reason that historically those who have higher education will do better in business. However, those qualities do not come from the education itself and any connection is merely correlation, not causation.