How to know if one is suitable for pursuing academia or Research work their entire life? [duplicate]How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student?“I've somehow convinced everyone that I'm actually good at this” - how to effectively deal with Imposter SyndromeHow do you come to terms with the fact that you might never be among the best in your research community?Should I stay in PhD program I dislike to have a shot at liberal arts teaching?Is a student with weak written examination skills also a weak candidate for PhD?Will it be a bad move for Master's to do summer internship in industry when trying to pursue a PhD program?Asking to get paid for academic research workHow to know if I would like CS research?I'm about to graduate and enter a 1-year master's program. I don't really know any professors, and I've never done research. How can I get involved?Hiding M1 grades or first year of master gradesHow can I know if I am able to pursue a PhD?How do I gain back my faith in my PhD degree?Is the quality of work done in PhD a measure of my abilities to pursue academia?
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How to know if one is suitable for pursuing academia or Research work their entire life? [duplicate]
How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student?“I've somehow convinced everyone that I'm actually good at this” - how to effectively deal with Imposter SyndromeHow do you come to terms with the fact that you might never be among the best in your research community?Should I stay in PhD program I dislike to have a shot at liberal arts teaching?Is a student with weak written examination skills also a weak candidate for PhD?Will it be a bad move for Master's to do summer internship in industry when trying to pursue a PhD program?Asking to get paid for academic research workHow to know if I would like CS research?I'm about to graduate and enter a 1-year master's program. I don't really know any professors, and I've never done research. How can I get involved?Hiding M1 grades or first year of master gradesHow can I know if I am able to pursue a PhD?How do I gain back my faith in my PhD degree?Is the quality of work done in PhD a measure of my abilities to pursue academia?
This question already has an answer here:
How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student?
12 answers
“I've somehow convinced everyone that I'm actually good at this” - how to effectively deal with Imposter Syndrome
8 answers
I am a PhD student in engineering in an university in Canada. I am close to completion of my thesis but I am not very proud of my work. I have couple of publications from my work, all in decent journals. I feel that I have not utilized the opportunities available to me and wasted time in personal activities that did nothing to my CV.
Owing to my inadequate performance during PhD. I am constantly regretting my decision of pursuing higher studies. I was never a star student. My undergrad was from a very low ranking school where I had received very average grades. However, I somehow got into the top graduate school where too I struggled in getting average grades. My research there was very unimpressive and not a single professor urged me to pursue PhD. My master's advisor even expressed shock when I had asked for his recommendation for applying to PhD school.
However, luck struck again, and I got into a reputed PhD program. My advisor has had a lot of patience with me. She is a hands off kind of person, but she has never complained about my performance till date. Now as I am completing my thesis, I am confused about my future career trajectory.
I feel like I do not belong to academia or research industry as I don't possess the necessary skills (sound technical skills, exceptional analytical skills and focus). I feel like a failure who is in a wrong profession. I really don't know what to do now.
My only reason for pursuing PhD in my current field of study was that I loved the process of researching. I loved finding reason behind why a physical phenomenon occurs. But, I now feel that just love for research is not an adequate reason for doing PhD or master's degree.
In short; I have realized that I am not not suitable for academia or research industry as I don't possess the necessary skills for pursuing research. I should have taken the engineering job after my undergrad as I was never built for a life in research.
phd research-process independent-researcher
New contributor
marked as duplicate by henning, corey979, FuzzyLeapfrog, Dmitry Grigoryev, Bryan Krause Apr 24 at 16:01
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
add a comment |
This question already has an answer here:
How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student?
12 answers
“I've somehow convinced everyone that I'm actually good at this” - how to effectively deal with Imposter Syndrome
8 answers
I am a PhD student in engineering in an university in Canada. I am close to completion of my thesis but I am not very proud of my work. I have couple of publications from my work, all in decent journals. I feel that I have not utilized the opportunities available to me and wasted time in personal activities that did nothing to my CV.
Owing to my inadequate performance during PhD. I am constantly regretting my decision of pursuing higher studies. I was never a star student. My undergrad was from a very low ranking school where I had received very average grades. However, I somehow got into the top graduate school where too I struggled in getting average grades. My research there was very unimpressive and not a single professor urged me to pursue PhD. My master's advisor even expressed shock when I had asked for his recommendation for applying to PhD school.
However, luck struck again, and I got into a reputed PhD program. My advisor has had a lot of patience with me. She is a hands off kind of person, but she has never complained about my performance till date. Now as I am completing my thesis, I am confused about my future career trajectory.
I feel like I do not belong to academia or research industry as I don't possess the necessary skills (sound technical skills, exceptional analytical skills and focus). I feel like a failure who is in a wrong profession. I really don't know what to do now.
My only reason for pursuing PhD in my current field of study was that I loved the process of researching. I loved finding reason behind why a physical phenomenon occurs. But, I now feel that just love for research is not an adequate reason for doing PhD or master's degree.
In short; I have realized that I am not not suitable for academia or research industry as I don't possess the necessary skills for pursuing research. I should have taken the engineering job after my undergrad as I was never built for a life in research.
phd research-process independent-researcher
New contributor
marked as duplicate by henning, corey979, FuzzyLeapfrog, Dmitry Grigoryev, Bryan Krause Apr 24 at 16:01
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
11
I have couple of publications from my work, all in decent journals. That's something to be proud of. More than I had after completing my PhD.
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:29
5
Possible duplicate of How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student? See also academia.stackexchange.com/questions/87668/…
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:30
4
Whether or not a career in academia is suitable for you is hard to say for us who don't know you. Be aware though that impostor syndrome is common among researchers, so you may not necessarily be the best judge of your own capacities. Why not ask your advisor what she thinks?
– RafG
Apr 24 at 11:23
1
You can still take a engineering job with a PhD the only disadvantage now is that you have to live with the higher income compared to a engineer with "only" a bachelor degree.
– GittingGud
Apr 24 at 11:59
Here is an easy way to find out: would you still do research if you have 1 million dollar ? Yes - remain in academia, No - you are suitable for industry.
– The man of your dream
yesterday
add a comment |
This question already has an answer here:
How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student?
12 answers
“I've somehow convinced everyone that I'm actually good at this” - how to effectively deal with Imposter Syndrome
8 answers
I am a PhD student in engineering in an university in Canada. I am close to completion of my thesis but I am not very proud of my work. I have couple of publications from my work, all in decent journals. I feel that I have not utilized the opportunities available to me and wasted time in personal activities that did nothing to my CV.
Owing to my inadequate performance during PhD. I am constantly regretting my decision of pursuing higher studies. I was never a star student. My undergrad was from a very low ranking school where I had received very average grades. However, I somehow got into the top graduate school where too I struggled in getting average grades. My research there was very unimpressive and not a single professor urged me to pursue PhD. My master's advisor even expressed shock when I had asked for his recommendation for applying to PhD school.
However, luck struck again, and I got into a reputed PhD program. My advisor has had a lot of patience with me. She is a hands off kind of person, but she has never complained about my performance till date. Now as I am completing my thesis, I am confused about my future career trajectory.
I feel like I do not belong to academia or research industry as I don't possess the necessary skills (sound technical skills, exceptional analytical skills and focus). I feel like a failure who is in a wrong profession. I really don't know what to do now.
My only reason for pursuing PhD in my current field of study was that I loved the process of researching. I loved finding reason behind why a physical phenomenon occurs. But, I now feel that just love for research is not an adequate reason for doing PhD or master's degree.
In short; I have realized that I am not not suitable for academia or research industry as I don't possess the necessary skills for pursuing research. I should have taken the engineering job after my undergrad as I was never built for a life in research.
phd research-process independent-researcher
New contributor
This question already has an answer here:
How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student?
12 answers
“I've somehow convinced everyone that I'm actually good at this” - how to effectively deal with Imposter Syndrome
8 answers
I am a PhD student in engineering in an university in Canada. I am close to completion of my thesis but I am not very proud of my work. I have couple of publications from my work, all in decent journals. I feel that I have not utilized the opportunities available to me and wasted time in personal activities that did nothing to my CV.
Owing to my inadequate performance during PhD. I am constantly regretting my decision of pursuing higher studies. I was never a star student. My undergrad was from a very low ranking school where I had received very average grades. However, I somehow got into the top graduate school where too I struggled in getting average grades. My research there was very unimpressive and not a single professor urged me to pursue PhD. My master's advisor even expressed shock when I had asked for his recommendation for applying to PhD school.
However, luck struck again, and I got into a reputed PhD program. My advisor has had a lot of patience with me. She is a hands off kind of person, but she has never complained about my performance till date. Now as I am completing my thesis, I am confused about my future career trajectory.
I feel like I do not belong to academia or research industry as I don't possess the necessary skills (sound technical skills, exceptional analytical skills and focus). I feel like a failure who is in a wrong profession. I really don't know what to do now.
My only reason for pursuing PhD in my current field of study was that I loved the process of researching. I loved finding reason behind why a physical phenomenon occurs. But, I now feel that just love for research is not an adequate reason for doing PhD or master's degree.
In short; I have realized that I am not not suitable for academia or research industry as I don't possess the necessary skills for pursuing research. I should have taken the engineering job after my undergrad as I was never built for a life in research.
This question already has an answer here:
How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student?
12 answers
“I've somehow convinced everyone that I'm actually good at this” - how to effectively deal with Imposter Syndrome
8 answers
phd research-process independent-researcher
phd research-process independent-researcher
New contributor
New contributor
New contributor
asked Apr 24 at 7:48
GuestimateGuestimate
322
322
New contributor
New contributor
marked as duplicate by henning, corey979, FuzzyLeapfrog, Dmitry Grigoryev, Bryan Krause Apr 24 at 16:01
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
marked as duplicate by henning, corey979, FuzzyLeapfrog, Dmitry Grigoryev, Bryan Krause Apr 24 at 16:01
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
11
I have couple of publications from my work, all in decent journals. That's something to be proud of. More than I had after completing my PhD.
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:29
5
Possible duplicate of How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student? See also academia.stackexchange.com/questions/87668/…
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:30
4
Whether or not a career in academia is suitable for you is hard to say for us who don't know you. Be aware though that impostor syndrome is common among researchers, so you may not necessarily be the best judge of your own capacities. Why not ask your advisor what she thinks?
– RafG
Apr 24 at 11:23
1
You can still take a engineering job with a PhD the only disadvantage now is that you have to live with the higher income compared to a engineer with "only" a bachelor degree.
– GittingGud
Apr 24 at 11:59
Here is an easy way to find out: would you still do research if you have 1 million dollar ? Yes - remain in academia, No - you are suitable for industry.
– The man of your dream
yesterday
add a comment |
11
I have couple of publications from my work, all in decent journals. That's something to be proud of. More than I had after completing my PhD.
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:29
5
Possible duplicate of How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student? See also academia.stackexchange.com/questions/87668/…
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:30
4
Whether or not a career in academia is suitable for you is hard to say for us who don't know you. Be aware though that impostor syndrome is common among researchers, so you may not necessarily be the best judge of your own capacities. Why not ask your advisor what she thinks?
– RafG
Apr 24 at 11:23
1
You can still take a engineering job with a PhD the only disadvantage now is that you have to live with the higher income compared to a engineer with "only" a bachelor degree.
– GittingGud
Apr 24 at 11:59
Here is an easy way to find out: would you still do research if you have 1 million dollar ? Yes - remain in academia, No - you are suitable for industry.
– The man of your dream
yesterday
11
11
I have couple of publications from my work, all in decent journals. That's something to be proud of. More than I had after completing my PhD.
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:29
I have couple of publications from my work, all in decent journals. That's something to be proud of. More than I had after completing my PhD.
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:29
5
5
Possible duplicate of How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student? See also academia.stackexchange.com/questions/87668/…
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:30
Possible duplicate of How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student? See also academia.stackexchange.com/questions/87668/…
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:30
4
4
Whether or not a career in academia is suitable for you is hard to say for us who don't know you. Be aware though that impostor syndrome is common among researchers, so you may not necessarily be the best judge of your own capacities. Why not ask your advisor what she thinks?
– RafG
Apr 24 at 11:23
Whether or not a career in academia is suitable for you is hard to say for us who don't know you. Be aware though that impostor syndrome is common among researchers, so you may not necessarily be the best judge of your own capacities. Why not ask your advisor what she thinks?
– RafG
Apr 24 at 11:23
1
1
You can still take a engineering job with a PhD the only disadvantage now is that you have to live with the higher income compared to a engineer with "only" a bachelor degree.
– GittingGud
Apr 24 at 11:59
You can still take a engineering job with a PhD the only disadvantage now is that you have to live with the higher income compared to a engineer with "only" a bachelor degree.
– GittingGud
Apr 24 at 11:59
Here is an easy way to find out: would you still do research if you have 1 million dollar ? Yes - remain in academia, No - you are suitable for industry.
– The man of your dream
yesterday
Here is an easy way to find out: would you still do research if you have 1 million dollar ? Yes - remain in academia, No - you are suitable for industry.
– The man of your dream
yesterday
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
So you are going to finish your PhD soon and you are thinking about what to do?
I understand your regrets, but they don't help you (as you probably know yourself).
The question remains: What are your options now?
First of all, you do not make a decision for your entire life. You can start a research position and leave it after three years, it is not really helpful to try to plan for 30 years of more. You can either try to get a research position after your PhD, and if you get one, decide again after two to three years. Or you can look for challenging positions in the industry. Both approaches are entirely sensible.
Just don't consider leaving academia as a failure. Most people leave academia sooner or earlier and many find an interesting, good job.
1
This is a great answer for anything related to one's career. You don't have to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life; figure out what you want to do now, and if that changes down the road then adjust accordingly. That's been the story of my career (I'm 10 years in now after 6 years of grad school), and its worked well for me.
– bob
Apr 24 at 13:13
add a comment |
I don't want this to sound wrong, but those "star" researchers / inventors need support and there are many places where competent people are needed.
The other thing you don't touch on is teaching - do you enjoy seeing others benefit when you explain something? If that gives you a buzz, then check out that direction.
Best wishes anyway.
add a comment |
You say
My only reason for pursuing PhD in my current field of study was that I loved the process of researching.
There. That's the core. Do what you love. If you won't, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
So you are going to finish your PhD soon and you are thinking about what to do?
I understand your regrets, but they don't help you (as you probably know yourself).
The question remains: What are your options now?
First of all, you do not make a decision for your entire life. You can start a research position and leave it after three years, it is not really helpful to try to plan for 30 years of more. You can either try to get a research position after your PhD, and if you get one, decide again after two to three years. Or you can look for challenging positions in the industry. Both approaches are entirely sensible.
Just don't consider leaving academia as a failure. Most people leave academia sooner or earlier and many find an interesting, good job.
1
This is a great answer for anything related to one's career. You don't have to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life; figure out what you want to do now, and if that changes down the road then adjust accordingly. That's been the story of my career (I'm 10 years in now after 6 years of grad school), and its worked well for me.
– bob
Apr 24 at 13:13
add a comment |
So you are going to finish your PhD soon and you are thinking about what to do?
I understand your regrets, but they don't help you (as you probably know yourself).
The question remains: What are your options now?
First of all, you do not make a decision for your entire life. You can start a research position and leave it after three years, it is not really helpful to try to plan for 30 years of more. You can either try to get a research position after your PhD, and if you get one, decide again after two to three years. Or you can look for challenging positions in the industry. Both approaches are entirely sensible.
Just don't consider leaving academia as a failure. Most people leave academia sooner or earlier and many find an interesting, good job.
1
This is a great answer for anything related to one's career. You don't have to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life; figure out what you want to do now, and if that changes down the road then adjust accordingly. That's been the story of my career (I'm 10 years in now after 6 years of grad school), and its worked well for me.
– bob
Apr 24 at 13:13
add a comment |
So you are going to finish your PhD soon and you are thinking about what to do?
I understand your regrets, but they don't help you (as you probably know yourself).
The question remains: What are your options now?
First of all, you do not make a decision for your entire life. You can start a research position and leave it after three years, it is not really helpful to try to plan for 30 years of more. You can either try to get a research position after your PhD, and if you get one, decide again after two to three years. Or you can look for challenging positions in the industry. Both approaches are entirely sensible.
Just don't consider leaving academia as a failure. Most people leave academia sooner or earlier and many find an interesting, good job.
So you are going to finish your PhD soon and you are thinking about what to do?
I understand your regrets, but they don't help you (as you probably know yourself).
The question remains: What are your options now?
First of all, you do not make a decision for your entire life. You can start a research position and leave it after three years, it is not really helpful to try to plan for 30 years of more. You can either try to get a research position after your PhD, and if you get one, decide again after two to three years. Or you can look for challenging positions in the industry. Both approaches are entirely sensible.
Just don't consider leaving academia as a failure. Most people leave academia sooner or earlier and many find an interesting, good job.
answered Apr 24 at 8:15
J. Fabian MeierJ. Fabian Meier
7,80342040
7,80342040
1
This is a great answer for anything related to one's career. You don't have to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life; figure out what you want to do now, and if that changes down the road then adjust accordingly. That's been the story of my career (I'm 10 years in now after 6 years of grad school), and its worked well for me.
– bob
Apr 24 at 13:13
add a comment |
1
This is a great answer for anything related to one's career. You don't have to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life; figure out what you want to do now, and if that changes down the road then adjust accordingly. That's been the story of my career (I'm 10 years in now after 6 years of grad school), and its worked well for me.
– bob
Apr 24 at 13:13
1
1
This is a great answer for anything related to one's career. You don't have to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life; figure out what you want to do now, and if that changes down the road then adjust accordingly. That's been the story of my career (I'm 10 years in now after 6 years of grad school), and its worked well for me.
– bob
Apr 24 at 13:13
This is a great answer for anything related to one's career. You don't have to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life; figure out what you want to do now, and if that changes down the road then adjust accordingly. That's been the story of my career (I'm 10 years in now after 6 years of grad school), and its worked well for me.
– bob
Apr 24 at 13:13
add a comment |
I don't want this to sound wrong, but those "star" researchers / inventors need support and there are many places where competent people are needed.
The other thing you don't touch on is teaching - do you enjoy seeing others benefit when you explain something? If that gives you a buzz, then check out that direction.
Best wishes anyway.
add a comment |
I don't want this to sound wrong, but those "star" researchers / inventors need support and there are many places where competent people are needed.
The other thing you don't touch on is teaching - do you enjoy seeing others benefit when you explain something? If that gives you a buzz, then check out that direction.
Best wishes anyway.
add a comment |
I don't want this to sound wrong, but those "star" researchers / inventors need support and there are many places where competent people are needed.
The other thing you don't touch on is teaching - do you enjoy seeing others benefit when you explain something? If that gives you a buzz, then check out that direction.
Best wishes anyway.
I don't want this to sound wrong, but those "star" researchers / inventors need support and there are many places where competent people are needed.
The other thing you don't touch on is teaching - do you enjoy seeing others benefit when you explain something? If that gives you a buzz, then check out that direction.
Best wishes anyway.
answered Apr 24 at 7:59
Solar MikeSolar Mike
16.1k62857
16.1k62857
add a comment |
add a comment |
You say
My only reason for pursuing PhD in my current field of study was that I loved the process of researching.
There. That's the core. Do what you love. If you won't, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.
add a comment |
You say
My only reason for pursuing PhD in my current field of study was that I loved the process of researching.
There. That's the core. Do what you love. If you won't, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.
add a comment |
You say
My only reason for pursuing PhD in my current field of study was that I loved the process of researching.
There. That's the core. Do what you love. If you won't, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.
You say
My only reason for pursuing PhD in my current field of study was that I loved the process of researching.
There. That's the core. Do what you love. If you won't, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.
answered Apr 24 at 15:31
Peter A. SchneiderPeter A. Schneider
18716
18716
add a comment |
add a comment |
11
I have couple of publications from my work, all in decent journals. That's something to be proud of. More than I had after completing my PhD.
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:29
5
Possible duplicate of How should I deal with discouragement as a graduate student? See also academia.stackexchange.com/questions/87668/…
– henning
Apr 24 at 8:30
4
Whether or not a career in academia is suitable for you is hard to say for us who don't know you. Be aware though that impostor syndrome is common among researchers, so you may not necessarily be the best judge of your own capacities. Why not ask your advisor what she thinks?
– RafG
Apr 24 at 11:23
1
You can still take a engineering job with a PhD the only disadvantage now is that you have to live with the higher income compared to a engineer with "only" a bachelor degree.
– GittingGud
Apr 24 at 11:59
Here is an easy way to find out: would you still do research if you have 1 million dollar ? Yes - remain in academia, No - you are suitable for industry.
– The man of your dream
yesterday