Going back to academia?

Question

I was playing around with Zotero yesterday to help my partner with an assignment and it gave me a craving for going back to academia. I'm a CS Grad with a Masters (In CS as well) so I'd be going back to do a Phd.

How much time is too muchtime before going back to academia? I'd planned on working for at least 5 years before considdering going back to academia, mainly to round off my experience and to improve my work ethic, but I'm wondering if I'm shooting myself in the foot by not going straight back.

On the other hand I'd like to ensure that I can get a job once I finish my Phd, which is one of the reasons I went into industry after my masters, and I found it hard enough finding a job then. I'm aware there is a stigma of being "over qualified" associated with having done a post grad.

By not moving about in academic circles I feel like I have no idea whats going on in research, so if I were to have to formulate a Thesis proposal I wouldn't know where to start?

Any Thoughts on:

1. How long one should wait before going back to academia?
2. How to keep current while not in academia?
3. Whether it's worth going back to academia?
4. What the long term job prospects are for somone with a Phd outside of academia?
5. What it's like to go back to academia after a few years in industry?
6. If I do decide to go back who to approach and how to go about it? (Should I apply to the same university I graduated from?)

I'm thinking about rejoining academia in the UK I've got no idea whether this is different to doing so elsewhere, I'd considder going elsewhere, but it would be more hassle as I own my home and now is not a good time to sell...

Cheers.

Answer 1

I'm in the same boat as you. I got my MS back in 1997 and am considering getting a PhD.

At this time, getting a PhD in the US is not looking promising. Most schools would require I "start over" again with masters-level courses such as analysis of algorithms and operating systems. While I could certainly use the refresher, I'd feel like I was wasting my time. I want to jump right in where I left off with the MS.

Additionally, many schools consider an 11 year-old Master's degree to be "too old." Without some negotiation with the department to waive the coursework requirement, I would be unable to apply my MS to a PhD program.

Plus there's having to take the GRE again.

I'm considering getting the PhD from a UK institution where a PhD is just research -- no coursework. All I have to do is find a professor who will be my advisor.

If you want to stay in your home country, applying to the same university you got your Master's from may be the best bet. The department there will be familiar with the quality if its own students (one would hope!) and will be more inclined to apply your MS work to the PhD requirements.

Answer 2

If you want to do it (and you can get a chance) go for it!

I wanted to do it, but age was a problem 10 years ago. Sometimes i regret it, because now i can't afford it anymore.

Answer 3

Here are some late PhD's I know about (2 nobel prizes):

• Claude Shannon: Father of information theory
• Kenneth Arrow: Pioneer of Social Choice in Economics
• Francis Crick: co-discovered DNA

And there are tons of other late bloomers if you look around.

My Advice: if you are capable of an inspired and creative dissertation, it's never too late to go back.

Answer 4

If you took both your bachelors and masters degree in the same school, I'd definitely pick a new one for the PhD. It seems to be generally frowned upon to be completely inbred from a particular institution.

I'd also recommend that you have at least a general idea of what you want to research, and then find a professor who has a lot of experience in that area.

In other words, rather than choosing a school first, start by narrowing down an area, then find a suitable expert that could serve as your supervisor, contact him/her to see if he/she is interested in supervising you, and finally apply for the institution where he/she works.

Answer 5

Never underestimate the value of industrial experience. Unfortunately with many British employers, higher degrees don't always cut much ice, many assuming (rightly or wrongly) that academics know a lot but cannot do anything.

The choice about whether continuing with academia or staying in industry is often about lifestyle. Industry potentially offers higher financial rewards, but longer hours, more stress, more focus on cost reduction and profit, whereas academia is all about discovering new things in a more easy-going environment with more relaxed timescales.

I spent my twenties and early thirties doing a PhD and working as a researcher, but personally I now prefer the challenges (and pay) offered by industry.

To answer your questions:

1. I don't think it is a matter of how long you should wait, but how badly you want to do this particular line of research. Would it be fascinating to you? It is important that you find something that is very interesting to you and suits your temperament (eg purely theoretical or industry based). Research involves a lot of blind alleys and inconclusive findings. Being bored or unhappy with the subject will make it difficult.

2. Just browse and Google. Many Universities have their publications and work available on line. This is useful when trying to find a decent PhD supervisor. Does he have a solid track record in a particular field? Does the guy seem a bit daft or woolly?

3. All depends on what you want to do. I have found out through experience that it was not really for me, but then I didn't really lose out by doing it. Don't do it because you think it might get you more money.

4. See 1. How long is a walk in the desert? Things pan out differently for everybody.

5. It's alright. I think it definitely gives you the edge even if it's just the discipline of getting things done, getting up in the morning, producing work to specifications etc.

6. I would approach anyone who is reasonably senior, but also try and speak to some junior researchers as well, try and gauge what the place is like from their general demeanour.

Finally, never let your supervisor influence the direction of your work too much, it is YOUR PhD remember. If you are not getting the feedback you need for your work or you feel your supervisor is not pulling his weight don't be afraid to make a loud fuss, or even change supervisor.

Answer 6

Depending on your area of interest your industrial experience could be useful in the application process and the subsequent research but be careful that it doesn't distract you (or your supervisor) from the work that you will then be undertaking, i.e. does the research group need your skills but for a cut-price that it wouldn't otherwise afford?

I would seriously consider the longer term career choices though. A PhD is generally not that useful unless they explicitly need it, many employers will see you as being over-qualified or over-specialised, so it could work against you. Some places, in particular financial companies, do like them for bragging rights - "we've got 59 PhDs on the research team" - which is nice, but not exactly why you slogged your guts out for however many years.

If you're going to go in, do the PhD and come straight out again, I would advise against it. If you've an academic itch to scratch, consider a part-time role or joining a research group in some kind of consultancy capacity, bridging a gap between your company and a university. Does your employer have a hard problem that a university research group might be able to help out with?

I spent too many years as a post-grad effectively doing outsourced corporate research and taking my PhD into a market place that couldn't have cared less. It wasn't that my eyes were closed, but I hadn't thoroughly enough considered the longer term options.

I wanted to stay and do research after my MSc, but realistically, unless you want to stay to lecture and continue in research, I would advise against it.

Answer 7

Depending on what you want to do professionally, a PHd may harm rather than help you get work. If you don't want to do pure research or teach in a university, I would not recommend getting a PHd as most employers will not consider hiring them to do normal business programming as they cost too much and someone with a BS or even no degree can do the same work.