PhD - Age?

Graduate School
21

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<p>to nono, I said it’s a “big guy”, means a famous professor, NOT my friend</p>

<p>this is his website, [Dr</a>. Robert H. Wagoner, Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The Ohio State University](<a href=“http://www.matsceng.ohio-state.edu/faculty/wagoner/]Dr”>http://www.matsceng.ohio-state.edu/faculty/wagoner/)</p>

<p>and this is some of his bio:
Professor Wagoner is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and Fellow of four professional societies in materials engineering, mechanical engineering, and automotive engineering: TMS, ASM International, ASME and SAE. Before joining Ohio State, he was Staff Research Scientist at the G. M. Research Laboratories, 1977-83, and NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford, 1976-77. **He received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from Ohio State in 1974, 1975, and 1976. **</p>

<p>but again , like I said this is the RARE CASE</p>

22

<p>I don’t know anyone out there in the “real world” (as if graduate school isn’t the real world) who is making a whole lot more than me who graduated in my class. Most of my friends are in graduate school anyway, and I make $25,000 for a grad stipend, which honestly is the average starting salary for a BA holder in my field anyway.</p>

<p>Besides, they can be out there earning an income, but I am in the early stages of training for my career. Anyone considering a Ph.D should definitely weigh the pros and cons, and there will be sacrifices made, of course. I probably could have a higher salary if I were out there in the “real world,” but my needs are taken care of and I am doing what I love.</p>

<p>I am aiming to get out of here in 5-6 years, which is average and not too speedy for my degree program, but I also know that I want to go into government or private sector, not necessarily academia. Like cosmicfish said, publications and such are still important but it’s very different in industry. (I still plan to make myself a competitive applicant both inside and out academia, though).</p>

23

<p>It really does depend. And, I agree with the post that mentioned quality over speed.
My brother finished his PhD is 4 years (from undergrad) and can’t find a job.
My sister finished in 6 years but is now tenure track at an Ivy League school.</p>

24

<p>Is the timing the only issue between your siblings job hunt or is there more to it? Where the PhD was done, contacts made, field, etc?</p>

25

<p>On the “time to completion” question, check out this site:</p>

<p>[Quantitative</a> Data by Field for the Ph.D. Completion Project - Council of Graduate Schools](<a href=“http://www.phdcompletion.org/quantitative/book1_quant.asp]Quantitative”>http://www.phdcompletion.org/quantitative/book1_quant.asp)</p>

<p>They have completion and attrition rates broken down by year and field.</p>