Advice for Prospective PhD Students
gonzales.science
Advice for Prospective PhD Students
1–10 of 97 posts
Re: Advice for Prospective PhD Students
#2I would just flat out advise against it. Don’t set your life up for a dice roll on which PI you get. It can be good. It can be bad. But it’s not a wise gamble for any aspect of life quality that I think is particularly wise to orient towards.
Re: Advice for Prospective PhD Students
#3I would just flat out advise against it. Don’t set your life up for a dice roll on which PI you get. It can be good. It can be bad. But it’s not a wise gamble for any aspect of life quality that I think is particularly wise to orient towards.
Yep, I was half-expecting this to be a single-word post: "Don't."
(I worked as a research engineer at a big name university for 8 years, helping people do experiments for their PhDs, and I have Seen Some Shit.)
Re: Advice for Prospective PhD Students
#4Does it ever make sense to do graduate school just to get by? If you’re desperate for work, does the stipend ever cover the cost of living, at least enough to spend all your time in the library?
Re: Advice for Prospective PhD Students
#5I feel like this article is missing a gigantic point: your PI is everything as a PhD student, if you have a PI who’s a shitty person (sometimes even unknowingly), you are going to be in hell for four to seven years. Don’t pick your PI just based on «they seem to be at the forefront of research on this field », also check how they treat their students. This is not like a normal job where you can easily quit, you’re likely going to be stuck with your PI, so they better be good.
Re: Advice for Prospective PhD Students
#6Does it ever make sense to do graduate school just to get by? If you’re desperate for work, does the stipend ever cover the cost of living, at least enough to spend all your time in the library?
I don't see how it even covers people's rent. My partner's worked out to less than minimum wage.
Re: Advice for Prospective PhD Students
#7Having seen what my partner has been through in her PhD in generics in the UK. I can certainly advice against doing it.
PhDs are not worth the stress your will be through. You are barely paid to get by. PhD students are exploited left and right.
The whole concept is not suitable for what's life in 2023. If you have a toxic colleague at a workspace you can do something about it, change team, change your manager, change workspace.
If you have a toxic colleague or supervisor it's done, your will be miserable for 4 years. Then if you need extension suddenly fees will pop up.
It's not worth it.
Re: Advice for Prospective PhD Students
#8I feel like this article is missing a gigantic point: your PI is everything as a PhD student, if you have a PI who’s a shitty person (sometimes even unknowingly), you are going to be in hell for four to seven years. Don’t pick your PI just based on «they seem to be at the forefront of research on this field », also check how they treat their students. This is not like a normal job where you can easily quit, you’re li…
I think the entire grad school "industry" really needs a "Me Too" moment. Abuse and exploitation are the norm it feels like :(
Re: Advice for Prospective PhD Students
#9Does it ever make sense to do graduate school just to get by? If you’re desperate for work, does the stipend ever cover the cost of living, at least enough to spend all your time in the library?
Maybe try to teach at a community college or something like that instead? Or bag groceries.
Re: Advice for Prospective PhD Students
#10I feel like this article is missing a gigantic point: your PI is everything as a PhD student, if you have a PI who’s a shitty person (sometimes even unknowingly), you are going to be in hell for four to seven years. Don’t pick your PI just based on «they seem to be at the forefront of research on this field », also check how they treat their students. This is not like a normal job where you can easily quit, you’re li…
This is my advise to people who ask me for advise when applying to PhD / graduate school for research. The advisor is probably the only other main factor besides finances and any other personal constraints. If you have a great advisor all around (not just the best researcher in their field, as in they also know how to mentor, teacher, network, and help you reach your goals), they will know how to navigate your different research interests and goals of your PhD and get you to where you want to go.