![Tales & Lessons from a Nomadic Academic Life[Excerpt]NitinMadnaniResearch Scientist (Text, Language and Computation)Educational Testing ServicePrinceton, NJhttp://www.desilinguist.org](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/whynotdoaphd-110114104529-phpapp02/85/Why-not-do-a-PhD-1-320.jpg)
![Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #3: SalariesDo an MBA if you just want to earn money!+6 years+9 years+7 years+8 yearsPhD = Comfort [+Contentment + Happiness]Sources: College and University Professional Association for Human Resources Survey, American Association of University Professors Survey, Chronicle of Higher Education Surveyof Graduate Assistants](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/whynotdoaphd-110114104529-phpapp02/85/Why-not-do-a-PhD-9-320.jpg)
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Why not do a PhD
- 1. Tales & Lessons from a Nomadic Academic Life[Excerpt]NitinMadnaniResearch Scientist (Text, Language and Computation)Educational Testing ServicePrinceton, NJhttp://www.desilinguist.org
- 2. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #1: TimeReason #2: EmploymentReason #3: SalariesReason #4: Research
- 3. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #1: TIMESource: National Science Foundation Survey of Earned Doctorates for 2003http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf06312/
- 4. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #1: TIMEMedian CS PhD awardee age is 31.4and Engg. PhD awardee age is 30.5Source: National Science Foundation Survey of Earned Doctorates for 2008http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf10309/
- 5. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #2: EmploymentSource: PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1056
- 6. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #2: EmploymentSource: PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=679
- 7. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #3: SalariesSource: National Science Foundation Survey of Earned Doctorates for 2008http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf10309/
- 8. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #3: Salaries+6 years+6 years+9 years (also starting salary cap for most industry jobs)+7 years+8 yearsSources: College and University Professional Association for Human Resources Survey, American Association of University Professors Survey, Chronicle of Higher Education Surveyof Graduate Assistants
- 9. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #3: SalariesDo an MBA if you just want to earn money!+6 years+9 years+7 years+8 yearsPhD = Comfort [+Contentment + Happiness]Sources: College and University Professional Association for Human Resources Survey, American Association of University Professors Survey, Chronicle of Higher Education Surveyof Graduate Assistants
- 10. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #4: Researchwhile (funding == true) { thesis_topic = find_original_idea(); GOOD_ENOUGH = query(advisor); if (thesis_topic > GOOD_ENOUGH) { graduate(); break; } else { years_in_gradschool += 1; continue; }}Adapted from PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=626
- 11. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #4: Researchwhile (funding == true) { thesis_topic = find_original_idea(); GOOD_ENOUGH = query(advisor); if (thesis_topic > GOOD_ENOUGH) { graduate(); break; } else { years_in_gradschool += 1; continue; }}Adapted from PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=626
- 12. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #4: Researchwhile (funding == true) { thesis_topic = find_original_idea(); GOOD_ENOUGH = query(advisor); if (thesis_topic > GOOD_ENOUGH) { graduate(); break; } else { years_in_gradschool += 1; continue; }}Adapted from PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=626
- 13. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #4: Researchwhile (funding == true) { thesis_topic = find_original_idea(); GOOD_ENOUGH = query(advisor); if (thesis_topic > GOOD_ENOUGH) { graduate(); break; } else { years_in_gradschool += 1; continue; }}Adapted from PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=626
- 14. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #4: Researchwhile (funding == true) { thesis_topic = find_original_idea(); GOOD_ENOUGH = query(advisor); if (thesis_topic > GOOD_ENOUGH) { graduate(); break; } else { years_in_gradschool += 1; continue; }}Adapted from PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=626
- 15. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #4: Researchwhile (funding == true) { thesis_topic = find_original_idea(); GOOD_ENOUGH = query(advisor); if (thesis_topic > GOOD_ENOUGH) { graduate(); break; } else { years_in_gradschool += 1; continue; }}Adapted from PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=626
- 16. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #4: Researchwhile (funding == true) { thesis_topic = find_original_idea(); GOOD_ENOUGH = query(advisor); if (thesis_topic > GOOD_ENOUGH) { graduate(); break; } else { years_in_gradschool += 1; continue; }}Adapted from PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=626
- 17. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #4: Researchwhile (funding == true) { thesis_topic = find_original_idea(); GOOD_ENOUGH = query(advisor); if (thesis_topic > GOOD_ENOUGH) { graduate(); break; } else { years_in_gradschool += 1; continue; }}Adapted from PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=626
- 18. Why NOT do a PhD?Reason #4: Researchwhile (funding == true) { thesis_topic = find_original_idea(); GOOD_ENOUGH = query(advisor); if (thesis_topic > GOOD_ENOUGH) { graduate(); break; } else { years_in_gradschool += 1; continue; }}“THE BIG UNKNOWN”Adapted from PhD Comics, http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=626
- 19. On a more serious note …The point of the last few slides was to present the pros and cons of choosing to do a PhDThey should inspire thought, not fearConsider all aspects before you decide whether to embark on a PhDAll of the reasons not to do a PhD can be overcome (Exhibit A: ME!)Conclusion: A PhD from the US is one of the best learning and rewarding experiences in the world if you make an informed choice to pursue it!