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Other than being able to be a professor or work in a lab, I don't understand what the point of writing a 200+ page thesis to get a PhD. is?

I mean, what if I don't want to become a college professor, or work in a lab? What use is a PhD then?

I'm just asking because I was thinking of getting a Bachelors of Engineering and then an M.B.A., but if anyone could persuade me otherwise to get a PhD in computer engineering, please do...

By Neona (Neona) on Saturday, October 11, 2003 - 11:30 pm: Edit

You'll make a spot of a lot more money over the course of your lifetime with a Ph.d. in any degree than a masters, all things considered. You'll also have more opportunities in everything you look towards, from teaching opportunities to...everything. True, you don't have to have one, but if that's simply because you're too lazy to write a 200 page paper, then you probably don't deserve one in the first place. I'm sorry, but it's your life -- do as you please. However, you don't have to make the decision of whether to pursue a Ph.d. till sometime in the future, and regardless of what anyone happens to tell you in this thread, you're going to do what you want until you come across something that changes your mind.

My two cents :^)

By the way, of course "money isn't everything", for anyone that's thinking of using that in an argument against the merits of acquiring a Ph.d., but if you plan to help others via giving away large amounts of money once you're wealthy, you'll be able to help more people with a fatter cheque than with a smaller one.

By Plopfkop (Plopfkop) on Sunday, October 12, 2003 - 12:52 am: Edit

With all due respect, I disagree. You can actually get fewer jobs with an Engineering Ph.D than an engineering MS because many employers feel you are overqualified for regular engineering jobs. However, if you wish to get a research position or a tenured professorship then a Ph.D is a requirement.

Further, with the four years or so of work, experience and seniority that comes of entering the workforce right after your MS, you probably end up making more money than if you'd gotten a Ph.D (although current salary probably all equalizes after a few years).

Hence the decision on whether to get a Ph.D is simple and has nothing to do with money. If you want to get a job at a research lab or university, get a Ph.D, otherwise don't.

P.S. I think that for real engineering jobs an MS is required (though I could be incorrect). An MBA probably only gets you into an executive or managerial type job. If thats the job you're aiming for, then a Ph.D in engineering is really no help

By Sarbear (Sarbear) on Sunday, October 12, 2003 - 01:44 am: Edit

Not to be idealistic, but you should LOVE what you are studying. A 200+ page thesis should be your interest, not a deterrent from getting a Ph.D.

By Ksolo (Ksolo) on Sunday, October 12, 2003 - 02:13 am: Edit

NYCNeedHelp:

A Ph.D is extremely research orientated. The degree is setup to prepare you for a research based job and/or teaching position at the collegiate level. You REALLY have to love the subject to pursue a Ph.D, because it takes on average about 7-9 years to complete! Although, some do it in 5 years. But the majority takes a little bit longer to finish. During those years of study, you will be working rigorously, with very little time for "play." But your work will obviously be "play" for the most part, if the subject is something that you really enjoy.

Then it is also difficult to even make it to graduation as a Ph.D candidate. Many Ph.D candidates end up leaving before finishing the program. Thus, you have to be very, very certain it is something you love. Would you be willing to work for a living in the field making little money? If the answer is no, then you'd have to reconsider getting a Ph.D. Because it's for people that would love to work in their field, even if the money isn't much. It's not a degree that you pursue because you want a high salary. If you want to focus on money, you'd be better off going for an MBA, or even law.

On a lasting note, it is a bit too early for you to consider whether or not you would like to get an MBA or a Ph.D., when you haven't even acquired a Bachelors yet. After attaining a Bachelors, if you so much as wanted to then further your studies by pursuing an MBA or Ph.D, you would HAVE to gain professional work experience for a few years first. All the reputable MBA and Ph.D programs do not like to accept students straight out of undergrad. Ph.D programs are even more stringent, and have an even more difficult admissions process (only around 10-15% of applicants get in!).

Focus on doing well in your undergrad. And while you are in undergrad, each year, keep pondering about what you would like to do in the future.

By Ellesotto (Ellesotto) on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 06:19 pm: Edit

Just listen to Ksolo. It is said best this way. I'd just add that PhD is not to be viewed as way of boosting your prospective salary or obtaining the Dr. title or anything along those lines. You better think of it as your LIFE, becuase you love the subject and you want to dedicate your mind to it. Otherwise, even if you finish a program (which, without having this sort of a mindset, is highly unlikely), it's gonna be a complete waste of your time, and also, consider opportunity costs of being poor for a lot more than a couple of years. ONLY if you truly love (read as fresh, incessant, wild interest) the subject, only if you plan on working in an academic/hardcore research setting, should you think about pursuing a PhD. I've been there, I should know.