This s very good advice. I would add to talk all students, postdocs,
both current AND FORMER from the labs you are considering. Do this well
in advance, even before you apply. Consider not ONLY their opinion of
the experience "yeah, I had fun" will not get you a good career/job.
Ask them questions like "were you allowed to publish your own work
independently of the boss if you wished?", "did your boss force you to
work evenings and weekends?", "How many hours per week did your faculty
boss actually work in the lab? How frequently did you meet with them,
or even see them? Every week, few weeks, every few months, or less?"...
I can give you additional important questions to ask if you like.
"Only 2 years for MSc" is a bit misleading. In science careers most of
the time MSc doesn't count for much - the oligarchs and gatekeepers of
the ivory tower categorize the world as "Ph.D. or no Ph.D.", which I
find deplorable, elitist and unproductive. Also, consider the following
as to the value of a Ph.D. in one's career search - and that 14% or less
of Ph.D.s will get one of those cushy academic positions (and read the
articles and posts on this page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Postdoc-Union/275402225908673 ):
When we graduate, we have more or less the same credentials as everyone
else - a degree. There are many successful scientists without Ph.D.'s
but many more with Ph.D.'s who are unemployed. In the field of
environmental science, for example, I would guess that the need for a
Ph.D. is even less - there is a great need for this feed particularly in
applied work, policy, non-profit organizations, etc. Also, to emphasize
how little we get out of a Ph.D. (a lot is stolen from us), we don't get
credit for our work or publications because the professor always gets
credit for everything we do while in their lab as a student or postdoc
(which is something I am fighting on other fronts - I call it
institutionalized intellectual property theft). Also, right out of
undergrad or grad school, the academic world (guess what - 14% or less
of Ph.D.'s in this country will land one of those cushy cushy
do-nothing-paid-much supreme-court-like job security independent
academic research jobs anyhow) you haven't yet finished the requirement
of your indentured servitude. You must still pay the faculty
gatekeepers MORE years of your life and intellectual property via
endless postdoc/postech/postemp positions. Again, read the articles on
the "National Postdoc Union" page. No one gets a faculty position right
out of grad school anymore, or anything close to it, unless they marry
into one, their spouse gets one for them or some other form of nepotism
(a friend or relative on the search committee).
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Postdoc-Union/275402225908673
On 10/17/2012 1:23 AM, David Schneider wrote:
Hello Ecolog,
Here are my thoughts, written 11 PM from Boulder, CO.
Grad school is indeed audacious, and not a default choice.
As someone who spent 3 years on the 'dark side' (academic
admin) I know that there are *huge* differences among labs.
Some labs are very happy and students move to productive
professional lives. Other labs are miserable.
My advice is, ask yourself why you are going to grad
school. Then use the web to investigate labs. In addition
to contacting the prof, contact students in the lab and
ask them about their experience. Like me, some profs
encourage prospective students to contact current and
former students (maybe I'm weird).
By way, the numbers on NSERC (Canada) success rates quoted
below are misleading. Success rates are low in some
programs, well above 70% in others. For grad students, most
universities in Canada offer 20-25K/ year in science, if you
meet academic standards and are accepted. It's not
princely, but then it's only 2 years for MSc, if you
find the right lab. And it's mostly or all a stipend.
It's not full time TA.
David S.
http://www.mun.ca/osc/dschneider/
Quoting "Aaron T. Dossey"<bugoc...@gmail.com>:
Actually, I would strongly recommend AGAINST grad school, or grad school
only as a last resort. There are many ways to achieve a successful and
fruitful career while following your dreams, and many roads that do not
lead through a stint as a temporary under-paid technician/piece of
equipment (ie: grad student and postdoc/postech/postemp).
First, figure out what you want to do, then investigate what it takes to
get there. You'll be surprised at how few careers actually require a
Ph.D., and how few careers which do require one actually exist/are
available.
Good luck!
ATD of ATB
--
Here is the article in Chronicle of Higher Ed.
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2012_09_28/caredit.a1200108
On 10/16/2012 11:38 PM, Lindsay Veazey wrote:
As one of many hopeful individuals trying to find an open program in which
to
begin an advanced degree, I'd also like to point out the pitiful state of
scientific funding in North America. The current NSERC funding success rate
is
below 8%, and the NSF success rate hovers around 20%. Additionally, in my
discussions with students of all levels, both current and (hopefully)
prospective, I've noticed that funding has essentially dried up for M.Sc
candidates, and is not much better for Ph.D candidates.
I'm wondering if any subscribers have recommendations for programs abroad,
like MESPOM, that welcome foreign students instead of stack the deck
against
their entry.
Dr. Dossey, thank you for a well written submission that rings all too
true.
--
Aaron T. Dossey, Ph.D.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Founder/Owner: All Things Bugs
Capitalizing on Low-Crawling Fruit from Insect-Based Innovation
http://allthingsbugs.com/about/people/
http://www.facebook.com/Allthingsbugs
1-352-281-3643
This electronic communication is governed by the terms and conditions at
http://www.mun.ca/cc/policies/electronic_communications_disclaimer_2012.php
--
Aaron T. Dossey, Ph.D.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Founder/Owner: All Things Bugs
Capitalizing on Low-Crawling Fruit from Insect-Based Innovation
http://allthingsbugs.com/about/people/
http://www.facebook.com/Allthingsbugs
1-352-281-3643
