Having a stable job vs Getting a PHD

[R.E.N. Spells Ren]

Do NOT bother pursuing a PhD if you're just getting one to get it (in the same sense that some folks get BA/BS's cuz they feel college it's what you do after high school only to end up with a degree, no purpose, and mounds of debt).

Only pursue a doctorate if it's on a path you've set up for yourself.

 

[R.E.N. Spells Ren]

same here. phd's in the sciences are well sought after in industry and with it being free it's not bad as long as have that passion and drive to get through it.

Yea that drive is completely necessary, cuz that whole process is

Just to add perspective, while it typically is free with a small stipend, you're earning wayyy less than you could be working plus losing experience, so it is cash flow negative. For many its worth it, for others, maybe not

 

[TYBG]

-Don't do the PHD unless you're offered fellowships or teaching assistantships. Fellowships usually offer 30K on top of your paid tuition. Look into LSAMP (assuming you aint white)
-Don't do PHD unless you cut out for school..5-6 years
-Don't get a PHD from a whack school
-Most PHD program requires subject GRE and/or general GRE..you have to study for that
-Don't major in some bullshyt
-PHD are usually geared towards academics i.e. teaching and research. Not saying you cant get an industry job but if you plan to stay in the industry, I suggest going for just a masters.

In regards to a masters, you can still keep your job. Take night and weekend class. If online classes are offered, take it.

 

[CrimsonTider]

But after the Ph.D, then what? What is the Ph.D in?

Psych? Sociology?

If you're chasing a Ph.D, be honest and admit a stable job aint really what you're looking for anyway. The most stable of gigs in that arena is being a tenured professor. Even with that, you still gotta hustle, network, and get published in your field anyway.

are you arguing?

You just built a strawman and knocked it down.

 

[OneManGang]

Yea that drive is completely necessary, cuz that whole process is

Just to add perspective, while it typically is free with a small stipend, you're earning wayyy less than you could be working plus losing experience, so it is cash flow negative. For many its worth it, for others, maybe not

This part is not necessarily true. In the sciences, getting a masters or Ph.D. constitutes some sort of research project under a tenured professor. Most students are doing cutting edge research in their prospective fields. The government doesnt hand out grant money to bullshyt projects. So if anything, while in these programs you are working with top of the line equipment, learning valuable techniques that carry over into industry or whatever, and are gaining certifications basically for free that you would otherwise had to pay for in the real world.

 

[kevm3]

Do you know what a PHD is?

Few people get a PHD and work in corp America

A PHD is about teaching and research

Do you know that's why I said to avoid getting one, because it won't confer all that many benefits in corporate America respective to the debt you will undertake?

 

[PrnzHakeem]

are you arguing?

You just built a strawman and knocked it down.

It was my response to the stable job vs Ph.D argument. It has a set of assumptions that I don't necessarily agree with. The OP is framed in a way that getting a PhD has you set and all these doors will open for you.

I just know (as in, personal friends i went to undergrad with) some Psych and Soc Ph.Ds who after graduating, now gotta struggle with finding post doc positions, so in a sense they are still trying to get on.
But I also know tenure track professors of major universities who secured their positions before graduating.

I was the one who took the $50K job after graduating tho, I can speak on that life. That PhD life, not for me.

 

[newworldafro]

if you were at the moment where you had a consistent paycheck...but you had the option of going to school and getting a Masters or PHD and risking losing the job you have now to pursue something with more money and prestige...would you do it?



lets say the job is a 50 k a year type job

would you go grad school and pursue that instead?

Find you a program that offers classes at 5 or 5:30 on weekdays....maximize your time..... .....

 

[R.E.N. Spells Ren]

This part is not necessarily true. In the sciences, getting a masters or Ph.D. constitutes some sort of research project under a tenured professor. Most students are doing cutting edge research in their prospective fields. The government doesnt hand out grant money to bullshyt projects. So if anything, while in these programs you are working with top of the line equipment, learning valuable techniques that carry over into industry or whatever, and are gaining certifications basically for free that you would otherwise had to pay for in the real world.

True, I was talking work experience...it's not the same as research.

 

[Stuntone]

Black people haven't learned a damn thing, still preaching degrees and begging for jobs.

When we're the last to get hired and the first to be fired. Degrees are cool but you have to go farther. We have to become job creators, atleast create one for yourself. The way this economy is heading (less jobs, more people). We got to stop letting cacs be out parents, we do chores and they pay us allowance. We need to start making parent decisions, instead of taking our allowances and going to play, dress, buy cars and clubbing.

Fukk a degree you stilll have to beg for a job when you get done. This economy is about to get really bad people. You going to be wiping your azz with your degrees soon. A lot of funding for research, (Nasa, etc) is getting cut and ended. People need to think harder about what budget cuts are going to do to our way of live and earning money.

 

[bigmanharris]

Black people haven't learned a damn thing, still preaching degrees and begging for jobs.

When we're the last to get hired and the first to be fired. Degrees are cool but you have to go farther. We have to become job creators, atleast create one for yourself. The way this economy is heading (less jobs, more people). We got to stop letting cacs be out parents, we do chores and they pay us allowance. We need to start making parent decisions, instead of taking our allowances and going to play, dress, buy cars and clubbing.

Fukk a degree you stilll have to beg for a job when you get done. This economy is about to get really bad people. You going to be wiping your azz with your degrees soon. A lot of funding for research, (Nasa, etc) is getting cut and ended. People need to think harder about what budget cuts are going to do to our way of live and earning money.

All this yet you offered nothing in the way of any tangible solutions.......

 

[Stuntone]

All this yet you offered nothing in the way of any tangible solutions.......

c00ns always come with this angle. Stop begging for jobs.


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What ever you do for your company, you can do for yourself. You don't have to listen to me, we will be forced to create our own income soon.

 

[bigmanharris]

c00ns always come with this angle. Stop begging for jobs.


Install carpet, hardwood floors
Powerwash
Daycare
Hair salon
Storage Units
Power Tool rentals
Car rental
Insurance
IT support
Catering
Cab service
Shuttle Service




What ever you do for your company, you can do for yourself. You don't have to listen to me, we will be forced to create our own income soon.

Clown Ass nikkas Always Complaining About What Others Do. Worry About You And Yours And You'll Be Ok.

 

[MadameMoreaux]

That was my exact scenario a few years ago. I honestly missed the structured way of learning that my masters degree provided. I'm in the 3rd year of my phd now and my grant fully funds my tuition so thats not a factor. I aim to be a college professor, but I'm thoroughly enjoying my research (psychology of adolescents). It helps that my husband makes a significant amount though. When he was in graduate school I was the one with the higher income. Things are definitely easier when you have a partner.

 

[Sierra Mist]

I don't ask, "what if?" I ask, "what's next?"