I'm a seasoned Amazonian, currently a bit demotivated about the nature work I'm doing. Most of the technical challenges are already solved, all we end up designing is integrating bunch of AWS services and done. I'm looking for better technical challenges and Ph.D is one of the ways. Does any of the FAANG companies support part time pH.D? Not sure exactly how this works, but I'm ok with spending 1/2 time in sprint work and rest in pH.D. YoE: 10 TC: 350k
Extremely unlikely that a competitive academic lab would take a part time PhD student. From the advisor’s perspective this is a bad investment, unless you’ve already distinguished yourself as a researcher - in which case you don’t need a PhD.
1) Yes Google does support higher studies. We also pay 2/3 of study cost. 2) Does it add value? Maybe not. With 10 years industry exp and your profile with Amazon, any researcher would be glad to take you in as student for part time Phd. Question is , would it lead to better work exp or job satisfaction? No. With this kind of experience level, companies would value your past work more than any degree.
I disagree on better work experience. PhD opens some doors that are not possible without it (being a research scientist and member to academic circles come to mind) plus, some teams won't touch you with PhD Totally agree on all other points.
All I can say is that during my years in grad school in CS @ top tier institution I’ve never met anyone that joined part time with just industry experience. The only people I’ve seen do part time have had a handful of top conference publications as first author beforehand.
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I don't believe you can get what you want by doing a PHD.
Why do you think so? Mind explaining
You can ask PHDs around you can see if they got more exciting work because of the degree. Another way to think of this. Amazon hires fresh PHD as SDE1 in general, who does the same job as other SDE1s. Why do you think something fails to give new hires more exciting work will give you, a 10 year veteran more exciting work. Ultimately it's up to your interest. If you have intention to convert to a research scientist or a professor, it'd be the way to go. Otherwise PHD has very little to becoming a principle engineer or people manager.