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Most PhDs fit these category and yet they are miserable financially, physically, emotionally. At the core, we need to be doing something that is useful to a sig
by wanderingmind 3y ago
Most PhDs fit these category and yet they are miserable financially, physically, emotionally. At the core, we need to be doing something that is useful to a significant number of people in atleast one way be it physically, financially, cognitively or emotionally. Yet most of these expertise demonstrated in thick jacketed thesis books just collects dust with no tangible use. So, no don't become an expert in something specific and boring unless it has the potential to be useful for a significant number of people.
- sublinear 3y agoI don't agree. Committing to deeply technical work to the point of mastery absolutely transfers to many other disciplines, even non-technical ones. You really want to know what's causing the talent shortage? The attitude that being behind the scenes is worthless toil.
- intelVISA 3y agoThere's no talent shortage, only a shortage of talent willing to accept being lowballed on TC.
- Madmallard 3y agoYeah it was weird reading that comment There's hundreds of applicants for every position even lowballed ones.
- jakobnissen 3y agoI don't agree. PhDs are misable yes, but this is due to the way PhDs work in isolation, to the fact that many PhDs do it because they need the PhD not because they want to do it (and, in some countries, poor working conditions and salaries). Also, surely the author would agree you should become an expert in something that is useful for many people, boring as it is. I mean, that's his whole point.
- jszymborski 3y ago> Most PhDs fit these category and yet they are miserable financially, physically, emotionally Do you mean prior to, or after they graduate? Getting a PhD is a miserable slog, especially if your tuition fees are exorbitant, but if you are able to afford the unjustly steep mental and financial cost, it has been shown to lead to enjoyable and gainful employment on average [0]. [0] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-02696-6 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-02696-6
- ege_erdogan 3y agoIf you are getting a PhD without a stipend (~3k usd/month) and even paying tuition on top of that, you are doing something egregiously wrong. The financial opportunity cost is very high though especially in CS.
- jszymborski 3y agoOh certainly! I was just pointing out that tuition fees eat into stipends. Luckily my province pays for much of my schooling.