I have a PhD in CS offer from a mid tier US university and I’m wondering if I should go for it or stick with my current job. I have a Masters in CS with 5 years of machine learning experience in my current role. I’m hestitant to go back to school due to my age (mid 30s), financial hit (current economic conditions), LLMs/ChatGPT advancements which are simplifying research. The only advantage I see in pursuing this path is being included in the ‘PhD circles’. I also don’t like my current job since my manager and colleagues assign me only the gruntwork tasks for them and they get to focus on the ‘research’ Applied scientist, TC 300k
I went through a PhD program and in many ways I don’t think it’s worth the hit to TC and being chained to your advisor for 3-5 years. Given your background it won’t make much sense unless you are interested in research type positions like algorithm development or something.
Aren't the best paid Data Scientists in the industry PhD holders?
Not when you factor in 5 years of earning 🥜
I did a ph.d. Not worth it unless you want to work as a researcher at a university, national laboratory, or perhaps an FFRDC.
This ^. Unless your goal is a job that absolutely requires a PhD it’s a waste of time
It can be a waste even then. Was offered roles at national labs with a masters + relevant experience. But some of those organizations are indeed very snotty in regards to having the right piece of paper. And in the right time frame (i.e. some places would actually hold it against OP for going back and getting a PhD in their mid-30s).
Yes if you are a "scientist" and you're not solely looking to maximise TC.
You really have to love the PhD in order to get through it.
I did a PhD and spent about a decade in academia being adamant that I didn't want to work in the industry and be slave to a big boss. But I switched to the industry 5 yrs ago, because politics and competition is everywhere, but in academia you don't even get good salary. I don't regret doing PhD itself, it added value w.r.t. getting in-depth knowledge of a specific domain and being trained to methodically solve a new problem, even from a different domain. But beyond that it does not really have any real value. My friends of my age who joined tech industry without a PhD now have almost paid off homes in the Bay area with an additional investment home in another state... and I am still renting! So that's how it is.
Thanks for sharing
What field was the PhD in though, CS or something else?
Do PhD if you want to keep the path open to join academia someday; otherwise switch jobs. I have a PhD in CS and have been working in industry since submitting my thesis.
If purely for academic achievement, sure. If you're doing it for financial stability, no. I heard horror stories about the politics of PhDs and in this economy, some people who are in debt with no work experience can't find a job in academia or the private sector.
Hell no unless you want to publish papers
Unless your goal is a job that absolutely requires a PhD it’s a waste of time
Change jobs to a company with a strong research department and take a role there as a developer, something that doesn’t require a PhD. Learn for a few years and then go to an established startup up for $ and an engineering leadership role. No need for a PhD, the world is moving so fast, no point in taking a financial hit and spending 5 years learning something that might become irrelevant soon enough. Hands on experience is more valuable than just an education so stay in the field and try to find a more interesting role and learn more.
And being a developer guarantees being relevant forever??
Keeping up with industry does