PhD graduate, not sure what to aim for

fungie · 26-10-2015 9:18am #1

I'll be finishing up a PhD in physics soon, I know I want to do something non academic and not directly physics related.

I have been looking into data analytics / data science roles as it interests me, I am just not sure what kind of jobs to apply to? Should I apply to graduate roles (BOS, ESB, Accenture for example) and if I do how much more would starting salary be with a PhD?

dudara · 26-10-2015 6:07pm

Consulting positions with the likes of Deloitte, Accenture and others would likely suit you well. The ability to think that you've gained through your Ph.D. studies should stand to you well in that kind of field. There will be a wide range of technology roles available from analytics/data science through to digital and more traditional technologies.

There is usually a salary premium given for having a Ph.D., but I'm not sure how much it is these days.

26-10-2015 8:42pm

I know someone who's recently finished a PhD and joined Accenture in the graduate program.

The salary will be published on their website but it's just over 30k I think, would imagine the likes of PWC or Deloitte would be similar.

fungie · 26-10-2015 8:49pm

Trey Ripe Chairlift wrote: »

I know someone who's recently finished a PhD and joined Accenture in the graduate program.

The salary will be published on their website but it's just over 30k I think, would imagine the likes of PWC or Deloitte would be similar.

Yeah that's the graduate salary alright, I suppose my question is how much more should I expect?

sonny.knowles · 26-10-2015 8:50pm

fungie wrote: »

Yeah that's the graduate salary alright, I suppose my question is how much more should I expect?

What experience do you have?

fungie · 26-10-2015 9:06pm

sonny.knowles wrote: »

What experience do you have?

Just experience from my PhD, some programming too.

sonny.knowles · 26-10-2015 9:09pm

fungie wrote: »

Just experience from my PhD, some programming too.

Who does that compare to a graduate without a PhD?

sarumite · 26-10-2015 9:10pm

fungie wrote: »

Yeah that's the graduate salary alright, I suppose my question is how much more should I expect?

Truthfully you may not be offered anymore unless you have experience. In general a having a pHd will give you an edge when applying for certain jobs over those without. What you may see is that you rise faster with a PhD than without it, assuming you have a good work ethic. That is not necessarily the case though, some of my friends that didn't do a pHd are still earning similar/more than myself as they have the extra experience I don't have and have have worked themselves up the ladder.

fungie · 26-10-2015 9:17pm

sarumite wrote: »

Truthfully you may not be offered anymore unless you have experience. In general a having a pHd will give you an edge when applying for certain jobs over those without. What you may see is that you rise faster with a PhD than without it, assuming you have a good work ethic. That is not necessarily the case though, some of my friends that didn't do a pHd are still earning similar/more than myself as they have the extra experience I don't have and have have worked themselves up the ladder.

Thanks for the info, I don't know what to really expect. Bit disappointing considering I could of gotten the same salary straight out of college.

sonny.knowles · 26-10-2015 9:18pm

fungie wrote: »

Thanks for the info, I don't know what to really expect. Bit disappointing considering I could of gotten the same salary straight out of college.

Why did you choose to do the PhD? (Not having a go, just curious.)

sarumite · 26-10-2015 9:29pm

fungie wrote: »

Thanks for the info, I don't know what to really expect. Bit disappointing considering I could of gotten the same salary straight out of college.

Having a PhD without experience may be less attractive to an employer than someone who has perhaps 5 years of real world experience under their belt. However what a pHd does show is that you are committed and willing to see tasks through to completion. The fact that you stuck with a pHd shows that you have a work ethic which will be attractive to employers. Academic life doesn't always transfer to industry and most employers know this and will want a person with a PhD prove themselves first.

fungie · 26-10-2015 10:28pm

The idea of it interested me but just after doing it I couldn't stay in academia, doesn't suit me but I'm glad I tried. Fair enough it's a bit of a punt not having work experience.

dudara · 27-10-2015 10:50am

PM sent to the OP. I was in the same boat as you 9 years ago, so I have some experience here. I have a B.Sc. in Physics and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering.

In my experience, there is usually a premium added to the graduate salary for Ph.D. graduates. A lot of experience is gained through the Ph.D. process, so it's very unfair to say that it doesn't count as work experience. As a physicist, I expect that you will have tutored/lectured, presented at conferences, ran your lab/experiments etc. And you will have worked independently to pursue your thesis. All valuable skills.

fungie · 13-11-2015 11:53am

turns out I wasn't considered for interview for Accenture, I'd like to know if its acceptable to ask why I wasn't given an interview considering I would have a higher level of education and experience than most people who apply?

Mrs OBumble · 13-11-2015 11:57am

fungie wrote: »

turns out I wasn't considered for interview for Accenture, I'd like to know if its acceptable to ask why I wasn't given an interview considering I would have a higher level of education and experience than most people who apply?

It's totally acceptable to ask why.

Just don't be certain the answer they give you will be 100% the truth.

Musicman2000 · 13-11-2015 12:54pm

fungie wrote: »

turns out I wasn't considered for interview for Accenture, I'd like to know if its acceptable to ask why I wasn't given an interview considering I would have a higher level of education and experience than most people who apply?

Its strange you weren't called for an interview. My Mrs has a PHD and found it hard getting work in the area she researched. She was told it was down to her experience . Unfortunately a PHD isn't a golden ticket straight into your dream job but you will get there eventually.

fungie · 13-11-2015 1:25pm

Musicman2000 wrote: »

Its strange you weren't called for an interview. My Mrs has a PHD and found it hard getting work in the area she researched. She was told it was down to her experience . Unfortunately a PHD isn't a golden ticket straight into your dream job but you will get there eventually.

Yeah i'm dumbfounded and gutted that I wasn't considering they were very keen for me to apply. I know they employ people with maths/physics phd for this job so I send and email asking for some feedback. Id love to know why I wasn't considered.

Musicman2000 · 13-11-2015 2:20pm

fungie wrote: »

Yeah i'm dumbfounded and gutted that I wasn't considering they were very keen for me to apply. I know they employ people with maths/physics phd for this job so I send and email asking for some feedback. Id love to know why I wasn't considered.

I wouldn't get to hung up on it. The other side of the coin especially in Ireland its all who you know and not what you can do. We all have been there just keep on applying for positions

fungie · 13-11-2015 5:38pm

Musicman2000 wrote: »

I wouldn't get to hung up on it. The other side of the coin especially in Ireland its all who you know and not what you can do. We all have been there just keep on applying for positions

I don't like making excuses, the standard of application must of been truely outstanding.

PhD graduate, not sure what to aim for

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