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yikes -- i never meant for anyone to read the epilogue without context (or see it posted standalone to HN). the rest of the book talks about how i cultivated al

yikes -- i never meant for anyone to read the epilogue without context (or see it posted standalone to HN). the rest of the book talks about how i cultivated all of those traits throughout the past six years. also, that's sort of why i had the parenthetical following that statement ... (Two obvious caveats: Not every Ph.D. student received these benefits—many grew jaded and burned-out from their struggles. Also, lots of people cultivate these positive traits without going through a Ph.D. program.)

jboggan 14y ago
I gained all of these above qualities by working for 6 years, becoming jaded and burnt out, leaving the PhD program, and then finally repurposing myself. Other than the projects you specifically worked on and the papers you published what can you say the greatest advantage over someone in my situation would be? I understand the grind as a tool for personal sharpening better than a successful graduate would because it is all I have to take from the experience - no plaudits, no social or familial approval, no resume bullet (rather more like a gaping resume maw, depending upon the attitude of the person reading it).
- pgbovine 14y ago
  Other than the projects you specifically worked on and the papers you published what can you say the greatest advantage over someone in my situation would be? I have no idea -- that's why I put that parenthetical caveat in that paragraph :)
- beambot 14y ago
  "What can you say the greatest advantage over someone in my situation would be?" I can't speak directly for pgbovine, but I had a similar experience as in his book (finished fall 2011). I also can't compare to your situation since I don't know you. But I share pgbovine's sentiment: The PhD wasn't necessarily fun, but it was personally fulfilling. It also left me with a deep sense of accomplishment and appreciation for "just how far the rabbit hole goes." I often describe research as: 80% banging head against a wall, 10% cursing, 10% progress. Some of my recent work is more akin to "engineering consulting." I've found this job to be vastly different from research -- implementing solutions that are mostly-known rather than exploring uncharted territory. It's probably closer to 30% banging head on a wall and 70% progress, without any cursing (and saner hours with better pay). YMMV.

jboggan 14y ago

I gained all of these above qualities by working for 6 years, becoming jaded and burnt out, leaving the PhD program, and then finally repurposing myself. Other than the projects you specifically worked on and the papers you published what can you say the greatest advantage over someone in my situation would be? I understand the grind as a tool for personal sharpening better than a successful graduate would because it is all I have to take from the experience - no plaudits, no social or familial approval, no resume bullet (rather more like a gaping resume maw, depending upon the attitude of the person reading it).

pgbovine 14y ago
Other than the projects you specifically worked on and the papers you published what can you say the greatest advantage over someone in my situation would be? I have no idea -- that's why I put that parenthetical caveat in that paragraph :)
beambot 14y ago
"What can you say the greatest advantage over someone in my situation would be?" I can't speak directly for pgbovine, but I had a similar experience as in his book (finished fall 2011). I also can't compare to your situation since I don't know you. But I share pgbovine's sentiment: The PhD wasn't necessarily fun, but it was personally fulfilling. It also left me with a deep sense of accomplishment and appreciation for "just how far the rabbit hole goes." I often describe research as: 80% banging head against a wall, 10% cursing, 10% progress. Some of my recent work is more akin to "engineering consulting." I've found this job to be vastly different from research -- implementing solutions that are mostly-known rather than exploring uncharted territory. It's probably closer to 30% banging head on a wall and 70% progress, without any cursing (and saner hours with better pay). YMMV.