Well said. It's additionally troubling that this kind of frank discussion was lacking when you were first on the market in 2018. Mentors in graduate programs should be responsible for having these frank discussions long before students even approach the job market -- the first month after enrolling in a PhD program wouldn't be too early.
Totally didn't see this comment (apologies). I 100% agree with you. I did a double PhD. One program was great and we had these conversations with faculty. The OTHER program, on the other hand....nope. I distinctly remember hearing a faculty member in THAT PhD program tell new and potential students that - with a PhD from this program - one could get a TT job anywhere...easily. The Dept. had huge cohorts. Lots of them graduated, almost none of them found good jobs in academia. Some got good positions in public/applied positions (which is excellent and I'm happy for and proud of them). Anyway, just wanted to follow up. Thanks for watching and your comment.
Great start to the conversation. You were just getting on a roll and then stopped. I was hoping you'd go a bit more into your thoughts on what needs to change and how things can be improved. Would love to see your personal journey video mentioned near the end.
Thank you and totally agree. I'm going to try to make the personal experience video next, then maybe circle back around to one or two more generally about higher ed/phd programs + DOOM.
I enjoyed this video. My PhD is in geology. I never seriously considered pursuing a career in academia; and I know a great many other geology PhDs who avoided academia in favor of opportunities in industry and consulting. Also, most of the engineers I know who earned PhDs (my daughter is one) chose careers in industry and consulting. I think there are a great many Alt-Ac career options for STEM PhDs.
Thank you so much for this! I got into the job market last year and now I am in the middle of deciding wether I take a community college position. Your video really helped me getting perspective, please do the second part where you talk about your own experience in the job market!
I had a version of this conversation with someone when I was trying to get into a PhD program. The professor who talked with me about my rejection explained that my goals, which would now fit under the alt-ac label, could be achieved with my MA so there was no purpose in my getting a PhD. He said the primary purpose of getting one is to research and become a professor, and a PhD wouldn’t serve me beyond that. The next time I applied, I changed the language to say what they wanted to hear, though my goals hadn’t actually changed, and they accepted me. I would appreciate a video about your experiences on the job market during this pandemic.
I am on tener track position and nothing exciting about it ! Salary is not good enough and the pressure to publish in top journals makes it worse! Social comparison with colleagues affects my wellbeing ! Getting funding is another level of anxiety! Do not do PHD
2:00 Lmao, just last night my buddy told me "academia is full of people that think they are the smartest people in the world and deserve high salaries for it" and this just nails it. 4:14 if those jobs 1. aren't what they wanted, 2. pay less 3. are less prestigious 4. less interesting 5. whatever Yea, its less than. The rest is cope.
Truth! I warn all of my graduate students that an academic position should be their plan b, not a! Not to mention even if you get a tenure track job, it might not be a great one either...
I just got my PhD in public administration from FAU. I never really expected for this to be a 'magic arrow' to getting me a carrer, and I had a business career in banking for years before I entered the program. Nevertheless, it is pretty depression sir knowing that in 1.5 weeks I am off FAU's payroll via their stipend and unemployed. Any advice to deal with these feelings. BTW only one of my colleagues earned a tenured-track position and the vadt majority of them are still in the program for well well past their stipend contract of 4 years (translation, they never wanted a real deal job, which to me is ridiculous).
@@gisousalkhi Sure, that’s not what this video was about though. Back when I was faculty, I would have happily made a follow up video focusing on that, but I’m at CMU as a AI researcher these days, so I’m not actively making videos anymore (not on my personal channel at least). Best of luck.
Yes, great video. I'd like to hear the next one you referred to. John
Well said. It's additionally troubling that this kind of frank discussion was lacking when you were first on the market in 2018. Mentors in graduate programs should be responsible for having these frank discussions long before students even approach the job market -- the first month after enrolling in a PhD program wouldn't be too early.
Totally didn't see this comment (apologies). I 100% agree with you. I did a double PhD. One program was great and we had these conversations with faculty. The OTHER program, on the other hand....nope. I distinctly remember hearing a faculty member in THAT PhD program tell new and potential students that - with a PhD from this program - one could get a TT job anywhere...easily. The Dept. had huge cohorts. Lots of them graduated, almost none of them found good jobs in academia. Some got good positions in public/applied positions (which is excellent and I'm happy for and proud of them). Anyway, just wanted to follow up. Thanks for watching and your comment.
Great start to the conversation. You were just getting on a roll and then stopped. I was hoping you'd go a bit more into your thoughts on what needs to change and how things can be improved. Would love to see your personal journey video mentioned near the end.
Thank you and totally agree. I'm going to try to make the personal experience video next, then maybe circle back around to one or two more generally about higher ed/phd programs + DOOM.
*Many thanks for the truth, Dr. Hale. I used to think that becoming an university professor is the best, but not any more. I changed my mind.*
I enjoyed this video. My PhD is in geology. I never seriously considered pursuing a career in academia; and I know a great many other geology PhDs who avoided academia in favor of opportunities in industry and consulting. Also, most of the engineers I know who earned PhDs (my daughter is one) chose careers in industry and consulting. I think there are a great many Alt-Ac career options for STEM PhDs.
Yes please to the follow-up video! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for this! I got into the job market last year and now I am in the middle of deciding wether I take a community college position. Your video really helped me getting perspective, please do the second part where you talk about your own experience in the job market!
Thank you! And will do. I'm going to try to film the second part next week between classes.
I had a version of this conversation with someone when I was trying to get into a PhD program. The professor who talked with me about my rejection explained that my goals, which would now fit under the alt-ac label, could be achieved with my MA so there was no purpose in my getting a PhD. He said the primary purpose of getting one is to research and become a professor, and a PhD wouldn’t serve me beyond that. The next time I applied, I changed the language to say what they wanted to hear, though my goals hadn’t actually changed, and they accepted me.
I would appreciate a video about your experiences on the job market during this pandemic.
Thank you you for watching and your reply. I really appreciate. And, will do re: the next video.
Please make that video about changing jobs!
Will do and thank you for watching!!!
@@UXmatt I love your work! I've included tons of your academia videos in my lab handbook and my classes. :)
@@smasongarrison Thank you. I really appreciate that!
I am on tener track position and nothing exciting about it ! Salary is not good enough and the pressure to publish in top journals makes it worse! Social comparison with colleagues affects my wellbeing ! Getting funding is another level of anxiety! Do not do PHD
Don't forget, the few jobs that exist are reserved for the crown prince(ss) chosen successors of the existing professors.
100%
Impressive. Thank you.
Thank you!
2:00
Lmao, just last night my buddy told me "academia is full of people that think they are the smartest people in the world and deserve high salaries for it" and this just nails it.
4:14 if those jobs
1. aren't what they wanted,
2. pay less
3. are less prestigious
4. less interesting
5. whatever
Yea, its less than. The rest is cope.
Truth! I warn all of my graduate students that an academic position should be their plan b, not a! Not to mention even if you get a tenure track job, it might not be a great one either...
thank you so much
I just got my PhD in public administration from FAU. I never really expected for this to be a 'magic arrow' to getting me a carrer, and I had a business career in banking for years before I entered the program. Nevertheless, it is pretty depression sir knowing that in 1.5 weeks I am off FAU's payroll via their stipend and unemployed. Any advice to deal with these feelings. BTW only one of my colleagues earned a tenured-track position and the vadt majority of them are still in the program for well well past their stipend contract of 4 years (translation, they never wanted a real deal job, which to me is ridiculous).
Why are they ghosting ? It is a very small world. We know each other who are in academics in a certain industry. At least in my field.
This was so fucking validating that it felt like a huge exhale.
100% and also, hope you're doing well!
I want a tattoo of this video.
Totally useless
Thanks Gisou
We applicants are looking what are criteria for to be in the shortlist of candidates
@@gisousalkhi Sure, that’s not what this video was about though. Back when I was faculty, I would have happily made a follow up video focusing on that, but I’m at CMU as a AI researcher these days, so I’m not actively making videos anymore (not on my personal channel at least). Best of luck.