2 ms·

What did she do her PhD in? Maybe I missed it, but I don't recall seeing it in her article/rant. I'm on the second semester of getting a PhD in chemical engin

What did she do her PhD in? Maybe I missed it, but I don't recall seeing it in her article/rant. I'm on the second semester of getting a PhD in chemical engineering and so far I love it. My undergraduate school was much more of a time-sink (then again, it was rated one of the least happy schools in the US). Right now, I can do my research anywhere and anytime I feel like it. I get to use the world's best equipment at the best national labs and I get to guide the direction of my projects with the help of my advisor -- who is also amazing by the way. So maybe that's kind of a humble-brag, but it should be. The author shared her n=1 miserable experience and I'm sharing my n=1 great experience so perhaps you should learn about getting a PhD yourself and decide if that's what you want to do instead of listening to people moan about what martyrs grad students are.

cschmidt 14y ago
That's funny that we both posted about how great it is to get a ChE PhD. Glad you're enjoying it.
cookiecat 14y ago
Perhaps share your thoughts with us after you have completed your PhD as well?
- Xcelerate 14y ago
  Sure, just give me a couple more years ;) But cschmidt shared his, and his sentiments are positive.
Steuard 14y ago
For what it's worth, I'd say that most of the warnings in this article don't really apply until after your first year or two (though it certainly varies a lot between different schools and different fields). If you're in your second semester of a PhD program, you've gotten a taste of grad school, but almost by definition you haven't had time to hit the "my last year's worth of work went nowhere" point discussed here, for example. Heck, if you're in the USA you're probably still taking classes at this point. Maybe your experience will continue to be mostly positive, but I don't think you'll be in a position to really judge this article for at least a couple more years.

cschmidt 14y ago

That's funny that we both posted about how great it is to get a ChE PhD. Glad you're enjoying it.

cookiecat 14y ago

Perhaps share your thoughts with us after you have completed your PhD as well?

Xcelerate 14y ago
Sure, just give me a couple more years ;) But cschmidt shared his, and his sentiments are positive.

Steuard 14y ago

For what it's worth, I'd say that most of the warnings in this article don't really apply until after your first year or two (though it certainly varies a lot between different schools and different fields). If you're in your second semester of a PhD program, you've gotten a taste of grad school, but almost by definition you haven't had time to hit the "my last year's worth of work went nowhere" point discussed here, for example. Heck, if you're in the USA you're probably still taking classes at this point. Maybe your experience will continue to be mostly positive, but I don't think you'll be in a position to really judge this article for at least a couple more years.