Non-Academic Careers for Ph.D.'s

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by BlackBird, Dec 4, 2006.

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  1. BlackBird

    BlackBird Member

  2. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    "Be prepared to lose your friends, your mentors, and your sense of self-worth."

    Ouch
     
  3. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Interesting article; thanks for sharing. Although, I must have missed something... I didn't see that quote in the article.

    Dave
     
  4. BlackBird

    BlackBird Member


    Dave,

    The link has a ton of articles on Ph.D.'s switching careers. It is not just the first article.

    Best regards...
     
  5. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Yes, I didn't read them all yet...

    Dave
     
  6. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    If you are a PhD or PhD wanna be, maybe you shouldn't. It's very depressing.
     
  7. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Hope springs eternal...!

    Perhaps the articles are an unrepresentative sample of experiences...

    Dave
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 6, 2006
  8. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Why would you get a PhD if not interested in an academic career?

    Industry normally does not pay for a PhD, a professional is better off working towards a professional certification rather than a PhD. A CFA or CPA pays off more than a PhD and can also be completed by using distance.
     
  9. BlackBird

    BlackBird Member

    Re: Re: Non-Academic Careers for Ph.D.'s

    Another reason besides doing a Ph.D. for academic careers is that it looks good in terms of marketing such as books, speaking, psychotherapy, calling your doctor's office and getting priority treatment, being consulted first by community leaders, being asked to be on boards, etc. Oh yes, to use a Levicoff-ism, it permits you to pontificate about subjects you know nothing about and be perceived as an "authority."

     
  10. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Re: Re: Re: Non-Academic Careers for Ph.D.'s

    Don't forget making dinner reservations... :)

    Dave
     
  11. PhD2B

    PhD2B Dazed and Confused

    Re: Re: Re: Non-Academic Careers for Ph.D.'s

    That's good enough for me. :D
     
  12. BlackBird

    BlackBird Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Non-Academic Careers for Ph.D.'s

    Dave... I have not used that one but I've been told by another "Doctor" friend of mine that it works like a charm in that context. Thanks.
     
  13. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Non-Academic Careers for Ph.D.'s

    Wouldn't a trinity college and University degree help you to achieve this?

    Nowadays, everyone claims a PhD when writting books or articles. Why not? a PhD from Trinity or other mill might cost you as little as 100 USD.

    I don't think people get impressed anymore with a PhD. At least in fields like business and IT, recognized certifications carry more credibility than doctorates.

    In IT for example, I have been rejected many times for contracts because of my lack of Microsoft or CISCO certifications even if I have a doctorate. A doctorate might even harm you in IT consulting as many feel that doctors in IT know nothing and are just good for University teaching.

    If vanity and the "Dr" tag is all you are looking for, a PhD from a state approved University might do the job just to say that you are a "barely" legal Dr.
     
  14. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Non-Academic Careers for Ph.D.'s

    If stupid people won't hire you, they've actually done you a favor. In other words, would you really want to work for a company that puts the most inexperienced and uneducated people in the roles of making recruiting decisions?

    Dave
     

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