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Sep 21st 2011, 14:36:05
I thought long and hard about doing a PhD, but there is no real monetary gain to it in the business world (for a CS PhD, at least) other than being able to get a job as a prof or join panels, etc.
I figured a masters would give me the extra skills/accreditation I would need to make sure I'm always highly employable but not take too long.
The PhD is almost a lifestyle change thing for CS and maybe IT too... I come from a CS program with a strong business background and my research is focused on the marketing side of comsci. The PhD lets you be a prof, it makes you an expert in the field and it opens so many new, fun opportunities. I would absolutely love to be a prof some day, but I can't keep putting off the present for a better future.
Also, as someone who just spent 3 years researching the same CS topic (which is also what I do for a living now) it gets very, very tedious and you need a LOT of focus to simply stay on task and do a good job. Research is super fun, so if you like the idea of researching comsci/business things there are some opportunities for that at R&D focused companies. I plan to continue my research after I graduate in concert with my school/advisor & my company.
As Klown said, having a PhD isn't really that important in the private sector, but if you can get a PhD and be at the top of your field/subfield, you can do quite well.
-=Pang=-
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