tonsofmiso

tonsofmiso t1_j2s5npi wrote

Reply to comment by x0rg_ in [D] life advice to relatively late bloomer ML theory researcher. by notyourregularnerd

> One should do a PhD if research is what one wants to do right now/for the next few years.

I like how you framed this, but it's important to consider opportunity costs. In many fields, the PhD track is severely underpaid compared to industry. You'll spend a few years working more or less alone, and in a single organization. The longer you stay your PhD, the greater the cost of not finishing. I dropped out after 1.5 years at a PhD, and this was one of the reasons.

Fresh PhDs going into industry are also junior in many aspects. I've been working alongside one who recently finished a PhD on the topic we're working on in my team, and they do require training in many aspects like someone fresh from a master's. He excels in other areas, naturally, and that's why we hired them :)

Edit: The advice I was given is a little bit black and white to be honest. I think points from both sides are valid, but the importance of really, really wanting to do a PhD can not be overstated.

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tonsofmiso t1_j2r6z32 wrote

Reply to comment by mietminderung in [D] life advice to relatively late bloomer ML theory researcher. by notyourregularnerd

The advice I was given was that you should do a PhD only if research is the only thing you really, really want to work with for the rest of your life. 4-5 years of pain, stress, late nights, loneliness, and suffering at that level is ridiculous if you're only motivated by a better industry title or a higher salary.

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