given the dissertation is related to the job role, would phd make an impact in gaining high tc and research roles at faang ?
So people voting “not at all” aren’t in research clearly. PhD makes a huge impact on research type rolls anywhere.
I work in a research lab with a full team of PhDs and only have my bachelors. My pay is also similar to them
Then you are really good and had a little bit of luck. That’s pretty rare (with same pay), I’ve only seen that happen with interns. With the contingency of them getting/working on a PhD.
In a research role. What your PhD was on doesn't matter. Where you did it and and department it's from matters more.
Most research is useless in any department.
I've seen Ph.D.'s in ML/NLP/robotics typically start at L4. Edit: at Google and Waymo.
PhD makes a big impact. I see a lot of individuals who are not necessarily the smartest but because they went down the phD path in a field related to job role and had the grit to complete the degree, join a club of a select few with niche skillsets in that field. Coupled with other people who may be smarter but but have a broader skill set, the team is able to function well. But imo if it is worth it? That’s a tough question. For me, the answer is no, because I would have to give up 4-5 years minimum of my young life devoting to something very specialized and just breaking even in terms of compensation. Rather I could join a FAANG out of college and within 4-5 years make the same TC as a fresh post doc but with additional savings from the years I worked before and have actual industry experience. So a phD only makes sense imo if you meet the following criteria: 1) You really really love a very specific field or topic and want to explore every corner and hole of this topic 2) You really really want a Dr. in front of your name or just have this dream of completing this degree it for whatever reasons 3) You want to be a researcher or university professor 4) You don’t mind not earning for 4-5 years or earn meagre sums. Usually a lot of pHd’s I know are from rich families (but then there are also some who meet the above 3 criteria) and don’t care about earning right away. These are my thoughts. P.S I work at a FAANG now and there are a bunch of phDs in my department.
What do U think of online PhD. Working in FAANG while pursuing online PhD ?
They have online PhDs!? Man what has the world come to? Ok, I want point out again I don’t have that degree but my laat roommate who I shared an apartment for over an year was a post doc and we would have lengthy discussions on whether it’s worth it or not. He is in biomed field (doing vaccine research) and for him that’s what he always wanted to do but he told me that these days phDs are also becoming less valuable. They are almost being a cash grab for some universities or a way for a professor to get some free help. He told me that these days profs are taking so many phD students that they can’t devote time and resources to many and most students end up as glorified masters students who work is on par of a master’s thesis. This is good news for those looking to coast by but be careful if your reasons are to actually explore, think and innovate. Coming to online phDs I mean what the hell haha. How is that even different from a masters degree? Definitely sounds like a cash grab opportunity. How do you do hands-on research, interact with your mentors, professor and even students if it’s online? Do you go to conferences around the world to talk with the best in industry? Huge waste imo but then again I am not aware if there is some hybrid component to this which lets you do the things I mentioned. But hey if it’s cheap and easy to finish and let’s you stamp a doctor in front of your name go for it. Sounds very much like an online MBA and there is a ton of reviews of those online. I am pretty sure most people seriously hiring won’t take an online phD seriously. I know I would not and most who went through a grueling real phD would definitely not
Online and PhD don't really go together...
How are PhD and PostDoc years usually counted in YoE?
It will value PhD but given you’re already in FAANG, the investment needed will probably not be worth it compared to professional networking and leetcode. It takes years to obtain PhD and so many hours of bs and research that if your only goal is to get a high TC job at a company that you’re already in, then not worth it
What if I want to move to research roles ?
It could help, why do you want to move to research?