Should I do a Computer Science Phd

Phd2

I'm in fifth year doing my Masters in Computer Science and I looking at my options for May after I finish college. I am wondering if I should bother with doing a PhD, or should I start work after finishing my MsC?

To be honest, money and pay is my main concern, and i'm wondering does a PhD make much of a difference pay-wise in industry jobs, or is it more or less just a route to academia.

Would you go out and work for the 3 or 4 years and make money, or pursue a Phd?

pwd

Phd2 wrote: »

I'm in fifth year doing my Masters in Computer Science and I looking at my options for May after I finish college. I am wondering if I should bother with doing a PhD, or should I start work after finishing my MsC?

To be honest, money and pay is my main concern, and i'm wondering does a PhD make much of a difference pay-wise in industry jobs, or is it more or less just a route to academia.

Would you go out and work for the 3 or 4 years and make money, or pursue a Phd?

If pay and money are your main concerns, then you should not do a phd, especially if you already have a masters. [If you didn't have a masters already you would be able to transfer from a msc to phd, and save a year or two that way].

Statistically, you aren't likely to earn enough more because of a phd than you would have earnt if you had worked for the time instead.

I would consider the phd primarily a route to academia, though there are some industry jobs where it would be very helpful, or a requirement.

For most technical jobs, your technical skills are what is most important - your academic qualifications are not usually going to be of so much interest.

Giblet

A phd might help you get the interview, but I don't think you would get more money because of it, experience and knowledge would help more.

Phd2

Ok thanks for the advice. Would anybody have the figures for the average starting out salary in industry for an MsC graduate in Computer Science? Thank you.

p

Doing a Phd is not a good way to get paid well in the computer science field as 4 years experience is worth more than studying in a non-production environment for all but the most specific jobs.

My suggestion is only to do a Phd if you're really interested in that subject and want to spend a few years thinking about it, otherwise it's a waste of time & energy.


Also, average salaries are a load of bollox, what salary you can get depends on how good you are. Graduate salaries from a BsC used to be about the 25k+ or so, though don't know if that's still the case. Since very few masters in computer science results in a more qualified graduate i don't know if there's any bump for masters students. All depends, on skills, experience, and the value you can offer an employer.

pwd

p wrote: »

Doing a Phd is not a good way to get paid well in the computer science field as 4 years experience is worth more than studying in a non-production environment for all but the most specific jobs.

My suggestion is only to do a Phd if you're really interested in that subject and want to spend a few years thinking about it, otherwise it's a waste of time & energy.


Also, average salaries are a load of bollox, what salary you can get depends on how good you are. Graduate salaries from a BsC used to be about the 25k+ or so, though don't know if that's still the case. Since very few masters in computer science results in a more qualified graduate i don't know if there's any bump for masters students. All depends, on skills, experience, and the value you can offer an employer.

Well that depends. It's possible to do a lot of development in the course of a PhD, especially if it is funded by a body looking for a commercialisable product at the end of it. You might be able to have a lot of influence over the approaches and technologies used, and you could be responsible for the architecture of a larger/more complex project than you could be for a long time in an industry position.

Personally, I'm in the fourth year of a PhD, and I'm frequently contacted about dveelopment jobs. I've more experience with the technology I use most than the great majority of people, thanks to the PhD, and I feel I've developed skills I wouldn't have so quickly, thanks to having a larger area of responsibility than I probably would have had otherwise.

Conversely, before this I had a decent development position, but (after a point) it seemed like I was just going to be applying the same skills over and over, rather than be developing them any further.

That all said, I've focused a great deal on development, possibly at the expense of writing and "proving my hypothesis".

leahcim

Conversely, before this I had a decent development position, but (after a point) it seemed like I was just going to be applying the same skills over and over, rather than be developing them any further.

I completely agree with his. Most software development work is pretty repetitive and boring. You definately have to work hard to keep yourself interested (by learning new languages or whatever).

I my opinion, if you have little in the way of commitments (mortgage, kids etc) and you can survive on little money, go do the PhD and get it out of your system.

MSc's (have one myself) and PhDs has less value once you have a few years experience, but think of the fun you will have in a few years time in work meetings when you insist on everyone calling you doctor :-)

Giblet

Phd2 wrote: »

Ok thanks for the advice. Would anybody have the figures for the average starting out salary in industry for an MsC graduate in Computer Science? Thank you.

The same as someone with a BSc, again, if you are just starting off, don't expect too much, especially with "Times being Hard" etc. It all depends on how good you are.