Doctoral degrees: The disposable academic - Why a PhD is a waste of time

[Dubious]

@Talon My parents and friends used to ask, do you have leisure time, like watch movies or or read novels.

I asked, dude, read good articles, they are funny.

@KRAIT...no idea about funny, but in field I feel like killing the person for merely publishing such worthless stuff!! Worst articles I HAVE read belong to fields where survey reports are published, survey where even I circled randomly whatever my mood was at that day Dont ask me how many others did the same....

 

[jaibi]

If the basic motivation for a Ph.D is more $$$ then it is futile. One should only pursue a Ph.D when one is at the apex of his or her career. Journals are largely open to articles and one can easily do vigorous researches without being confined to the academia. Plus, being a prolific researcher also teaches one about the market that the bubble like environment of academia fails to do. Once one has published articles, is at the right point in his career (mostly mid-point) then should a person pursue a Ph.D. Thesedays, sadly, there is a rush to finish studies before entering the job market. I find this strategy false.

 

[Jade]

Really ?

There are three key aspects to consider when you go for PhD. A reputed institute doesn't mean your PhD will be valuable.

Its all about satisfaction. I have heard stories of 10 Pointers IIT Kanpur students who left PhD because they couldn't handle it.

PhD is not every one's cup of tea.

And I personally feel, PhD is like being an Artist. You may not succeed or become famous, but you will love or hate within it.

You haven;t explained the key three Aspects.

Anyway, I was explaining from "getting a Job" aspect.

From the "getting a Job" POV, the area of research is less important. Companies/Universities have become Brand ******. A Phd from Harvard is not "equal" to a PhD from University of Notre Dame, however good you may have done research at University of Notre Dame.

 

[Shardul.....the lion]

PhD is a passion to achieve ones set goal, Its fun to expand horizons of your brain to new frontiers......But you should get good lab with all state of art equipments......... speaking from personal experience.

Post doc is a problem because you have already crossed mid 30s and still you dont have sureshot/permanent job.

But PhD is never waste of time, but even Govt of India is giving lots of stipend in CSIR/ICAR/ICMR scholarships, so even in monetary terms its good.

 

[Safriz]

Good that i didnt do PHD...and never went beyond a few graduations

But i certainly don't mind if any of you calls me Doctor safriz

 

[Raja.Pakistani]

I think the writer of this article could not get admission in Ph.D and telling others that its waste of time to gain doctoral degree

 

[Burger Boy]

Get famous or die trying and if you're lucky....you'll get an "honorary degree" and will forever be known as "Doctor".

 

[Argus Panoptes]

A PhD may be useless, but sometimes it can help get a visa. That has its own value for some people.

 

[KRAIT]

@KRAIT...no idea about funny, but in field I feel like killing the person for merely publishing such worthless stuff!! Worst articles I HAVE read belong to fields where survey reports are published, survey where even I circled randomly whatever my mood was at that day Dont ask me how many others did the same....

Worst are survey reports with no head legs of any analysis of what are the real questions that needs to be asked, but they do whatever comes in their mind and do any correlation.

Our senior professors always say that survey takers should always work with the ones who formulate theories, make mathematical models to determine what particular data are needed to be collected so that we can have relevant data rather than huge quantity of irrelevant data.

They sometimes collect data of few variables that are not that influential on the system than the other important ones. That means wastage of resources and time.

I think the writer of this article could not get admission in Ph.D and telling others that its waste of time to gain doctoral degree

Exactly. Can't be expressed better and in shorter way than this.

 

[arp2041]

@Talon @KRAIT FINALLY SOMEONE IS TROLLING YOU

On Topic: I think author is right, PhDs are for LOSERS who couldn't get into medical college so the best way to get a Dr. in front of there name is to do a PhD, every Tom, Dick, Talon, Harry & Krait is doing PhDs these days. PhD has become a JOKE

 

[KRAIT]

You haven;t explained the key three Aspects.
Anyway, I was explaining from "getting a Job" aspect.
From the "getting a Job" POV, the area of research is less important. Companies/Universities have become Brand ******. A Phd from Harvard is not "equal" to a PhD from University of Notre Dame, however good you may have done research at University of Notre Dame.

Getting the Job aspect ?

Do one thing, find a good guide and publish work in important conferences and good International journals, companies will not stress that much on your University.

I am telling you from what I have been told by few of the top researchers from IIT Kanpur and other elite institutes in India, who have worked in top companies and organizations in the world.

There are many aspects. I will explain in detail. There are few points, one should consider and one can have good career even if that means compromising on few things.

Remember, many great professors also teach in universities way below Harvard. Also, the department, center of research and laboratory, their contribution in your field of work also matter a lot along with the advisor.

At certain level, whether you do the PhD from Harvard or London School of Economics, if your work is good and advisor is well known, people look at the work. After all you are recruited on your abilities too, not just brand name.

People have gone into various top universities like in MIT even if they did B.Tech from NITs or any good private institutes in India instead of IITs. It all depends on various factors.

Still I agree that brand name is important, but too much importance given to it is the mistake most students make and hence there is good drop out rate even among good students, in PhD program.

 

[Dubious]

@Talon @KRAIT FINALLY SOMEONE IS TROLLING YOU

On Topic: I think author is right, PhDs are for LOSERS who couldn't get into medical college so the best way to get a Dr. in front of there name is to do a PhD, every Tom, Dick, Talon, Harry & Krait is doing PhDs these days. PhD has become a JOKE

@arp2041 :rofl naaa g naa no one can troll me... ab ont ka thook mat ban

 

[KRAIT]

@Talon @KRAIT FINALLY SOMEONE IS TROLLING YOU
On Topic: I think author is right, PhDs are for LOSERS who couldn't get into medical college so the best way to get a Dr. in front of there name is to do a PhD, every Tom, Dick, Talon, Harry & Krait is doing PhDs these days. PhD has become a JOKE

Every Tom Dick and Harry are also doing Engineering and then doing MBA. I can bash any profession or any degree considering what extent you want me to.

Every degree and every program depends on the individual.

After all you talk about defense technologies and want India to be self sufficient in various technologies. Who will develop it ? Who works in ISRO and DRDO, private Research Institutes, MBA graduates or IAS officers ? Oh wait, its people with PhD and those who work for passion for science and love for innovation rather than running for money.

Any ISRO scientist can earn loads of money in foreign private space companies and aeronautical complexes, ask them why they work in ISRO.

You will have you answer.

 

[arp2041]

Every Tom Dick and Harry are also doing Engineering and then doing MBA. I can bash any profession or any degree considering what extent you want me to.

Every degree and every program depends on the individual.

After all you talk about defense technologies and want India to be self sufficient in various technologies. Who will develop it ? Who works in ISRO and DRDO, private Research Institutes, MBA graduates or IAS officers ? Oh wait, its people with PhD and those who work for passion for science and love for innovation rather than running for money.

Any ISRO scientist can earn loads of money in foreign private space companies and aeronautical complexes, ask them why they work in ISRO.

You will have you answer.

Dil Pey Mat ley yaar

But i would have preferred if you would have done Phd in some technology after your Engg.

Can you explain me as to where your Phd would be applied??

 

[Dubious]

Dil Pey Mat ley yaar

But i would have preferred if you would have done Phd in some technology after your Engg.

Can you explain me as to where your Phd would be applied??

@arp2041 he will have PhD in trolling