6 harsh realities of a PhD | PhD graduate's insights
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- There are some harsh realities of getting a PhD that no one else will talk about. In this video, I will share with you everything you need to know about getting a PhD without any sugar coating.
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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - it's taking the prime time
1:33 - life is suffering disclaimer
2:36 - lots of sitting
4:16 - you may not own your ideas
6:03 - you feel stupid
7:31 - expectations
8:58 - not a meritocracy
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Even when you publish a paper (and pay a journal a publication fee) you are no longer the owner of the work presented in the paper. The journal is now the owner, and you must obtain copyright permission from them for certain instances of sharing the work. You pay someone and hand over all of your ideas, just to add another notch to the publication list on your CV. The academic system needs a major overhaul.
I saw something offhand on this on reddit
And my main thought is is EVERY system of power just meant to screw everyone over?
Gosh...
I’m a first-year physics Ph.D. student, and this is my second semester. And every week, something happens to me in terms of health. A day of lousy migraine or food poisoning costs me a lot in terms of achieving my weekly goals :( and gets me behind.
Not to mention the financial stress of keeping your PhD scholarship (if you're lucky enough to get one). If you don't perform well enough, or decide to quit your PhD. You often end up in the situation where you have to pay back your scholarship. Putting you in years worth of debt, and you'll have trouble finding a job, because in stead of working in industry and getting work experience, you chose to do a PhD in stead. And like you said Andy. It's not a meritocracy, a PhD involves some luck. You need a good PhD project, a supervisor willing and able to help and the right resources and support system. All of which involves some luck in getting.
I really like your insight. All true. Sadly what I see 80% of success in academia comes from luck and this is damn scary :/
Hubby rigged up a screen in front of our treadmill so I can read articles/ebooks while walking :)
I'm stealing that idea! 🤔👍
I appreciate you jumping right into the topic!
Another great video, thanks!
Really fun Video to watch! Now I will go back to continue on the treadmill :D
Thank you Dr Andy
I'm actually regretting getting my PhD in nanomaterials... Graduated a year ago and I don't like any of the jobs I see in my discipline, only entry level jobs give me an interview, while my friends who did only masters are out there getting loaded...
Hey, can I ask what type of nanomaterials you are/were working on? I'm doing masters in a nanomaterial atm and considering a PhD 😭😭😭 but im unsure as I ultimately want to end up in industry
@@Tebsana Hi Tiffany! I worked on different kinds of thermoelectric materials. Fabricated thin filmsa and nanowires and measured their thermal and electrical properties. For industry, my relevant skills seem to be just to work in a cleanroom or modeling chips. None of them enthusiasm me. But if you do something more medical related you can also work at pharmaceutical labs.
@@o0laieta0o hi, thank you for taking the time to reply! Our fields kind of overlap I think, im working on magnetic thin film so hearing about your experience is really helpful - thank you! I guess I'll have to really think whether it's worth getting a PhD because I'm still on the fence😅
@@Tebsana I'd say if you REALLY enjoy your work and your lab environment you can go for it. But if you want to go to industry 100% later know that it's a bit of a waste of time
Everyday i feel like resigning. Things are not moving at all and i am completely dependent on the guide and he is reluctant to help as well.. never had i felt this handicapped. Thinking how much time I spent (6+) i wake up and go lab but i don't know if this is correct or am I just adding up to my misery days rather than walking away
my favorite is the last...PhD is not a meritocracy ! I'll choose another word for politics= Networking
Thank you for this!
My pleasure!
The patent info was really good. The same thing happens in industry.
Don't give your employer your best ideas :) Give them rubbish ones and keep the good ones for yourself ;)
Hi Andy, thanks a lot for the nice videos! In summary, I am a single mom of two (4 & 7 years old). Will be 40 this year.. I am offered to do a PhD now in molecular biology, and I'm really lost whether to go for it or not.. I feel too old for a PhD, but sometimes, it seems to be the best option for the future. Could you please give your outlook and impressions to that? The pros and cons.... Thanks a lot in advance ❤️
I seriously wish the journey was worth this much sweat.. hope I get to do a second phd with a better experience. 😅 Can't live with this experience for long
I understand you! Why not get second PhD 2-5 years later? You will have better experience at least how to choose guide, topic, how to organize things. It will help to get better experience. When we start our PhDs we usually do not have that experiences.
Do all the life stuff first and then do a PhD….not when you’re too young…..after age 35.
2:36 "My health went down quickly" Does this necessarily have to be the case? If so, this really concerns me because I'm considering beginning PhD as a 36yr old man, and although I don't have problems with extended period of seating, I must have 6am-9am to myself for physical & mental health maintenance DAILY. As long as I have that time to myself daily, I have no issues w/ lasting till evening on the desk. Is that plan gonna be an issue?
It won't be an issue as long as you make time for your health like you plan. Good luck!
@@DrAndyStapleton what time window would you say, across most labs (or just speaking in your own case), is least likely to be disturbed?
It honestly depends on your PI
@@TheFunkoDunko so true your PI can be incredibly toxic for your mental health. Make sure to speak to other students there before joining
Is it harsh realities of PhD, or harsh realities of life? To me an office job is equally unhealthy, company owns IP, and full of politics. And you're also spending the prime time of your life in a office - and I think that's fine - what else are you meant to do that's worthwhile? I think the biggest differences are just the lower pay and higher expectations from yourself and others.
Well people in an office can earn a lot more than someone doing a PhD.
You have a good income, it counts towards your income, it is industry relevant so easier to find another job......