I am 33 and planning to apply for a PhD next year. Is it too late to start a PhD at this age? I want to pursue a AI/computer vision degree. I completed my bachelor degree, then worked for a few years. Once I had sufficient savings to cover the living expenses for next 2 years, I went to grad school for Masters. Then again, worked for a few years and paid off my student debt (tuition fees). I am worried after 5 years, I will be 38 and at zero savings. Thoughts?
If you are indeed representative of your username, I strongly recommend not doing this PhD at 38. 5 years of full time work experience is definitely a better idea, unless you want to join the academia that is (which is extraordinarily competitive)
What shapes your opinion - being desi (Indian) or being a launda (guy)?
The combination typically works against you. I'm both too. I have numerous degrees, I have found that friends who just excelled at their jobs ended up financially far ahead.
Most PHD programs are paid for in exchange for you teaching undergrad. That said, why do you need a PHD?
I started at 35. Finished at 39 and have found a job at fb. Pays 850k tc.
why
I was 27
Why do you want a PhD
Hopefully the answer is personal enrichment or a research career.
Yes, that's right. Personal enriched and research position at top tier companies
I'm hoping to start mine next year I'm 30. Its hard to get in sometimes with a non traditional backgorund because of. A lack of connrctions
What do you mean by non tranditional background?
Undergrad, REU, working in a lab, developing relationships with profs that you can leverage to get you in at top places, having the time to get a 170 quant
AI will have faded in five years.