What Should I Do?

2008-07-04 07:42:42

#1

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6712|Éire

I recently finished my Masters in Multimedia and I'm glad to say I got first class honours, I was subsequently approached by a research development group within the college to do an interview for a PHD position in the field of 'location based services'. The PHD position would last four years and I'd be getting paid about €326 a week; on top of that I would get a certain amount of money to travel to International conferences and so on. All computer equipment, as well as college fees, would also be taken care of.

I am blessed with a very nice landlord and have very cheap rent (a rarity in Dublin I can tell you) and the economic horizon is looking cloudy for Ireland at the moment so this PHD position might be a good option. Funding for the research program is secure for the entire duration apparently and the economic downturn will not affect that. I'm a graphic designer originally so it's strange that I've ended up in this area of the industry but I have to say I find it very interesting...the program basically seeks to further develop technology systems for buildings that can interact with, and be specific to, any visitor or member of staff within the building; Bill Gates has this kind of stuff in his house...it's quite cool.

Anyway, I just got told (unofficially) that the position is mine if I want it. What would you do in my shoes?

2008-07-04 07:44:07

#2

ZombieVampire!: The Gecko; +69|6249

Why wouldn't you?

2008-07-04 07:51:31

#3

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6712|Éire

ZombieVampire! wrote:
Why wouldn't you?

The other option would be to look for a job as a graphic designer or multimedia designer and get paid more money...But if the economy is going down the pan then not many companies will be taking on new staff, that's why I'm thinking the PHD might actually be a safer option; plus I get to be called Doctor at the end of it.

2008-07-04 07:52:23

#4

usmarine2: Banned; +233|6212|Dublin, Ohio

do you really want to do that as a job? because if you are interested in something else, then it will just eat at you.

2008-07-04 07:57:49

#5

naightknifar: Served and Out; +642|6983|Southampton, UK

Take the PHD, If it's unofficially been promised to you then I say take it and thrive off what benefits you will get from it.

2008-07-04 08:13:49

#6

ZombieVampire!: The Gecko; +69|6249

Braddock wrote:
ZombieVampire! wrote:
Why wouldn't you?
The other option would be to look for a job as a graphic designer or multimedia designer and get paid more money...But if the economy is going down the pan then not many companies will be taking on new staff, that's why I'm thinking the PHD might actually be a safer option; plus I get to be called Doctor at the end of it.

Plus at the end you'll be more employable and worth more, yes?

2008-07-04 08:25:52

#7

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6712|Éire

usmarine2 wrote:
do you really want to do that as a job? because if you are interested in something else, then it will just eat at you.

Well I wouldn't say I dreamed of being a location based services developer when I was a little kid but in the last year I've completely changed my thinking in relation to what my skill set can be applied to and the whole area of emerging technologies interests me greatly. I'm very tempted by it I have to say.

2008-07-04 08:29:41

#8

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6712|Éire

ZombieVampire! wrote:
Braddock wrote:
ZombieVampire! wrote:
Why wouldn't you?
The other option would be to look for a job as a graphic designer or multimedia designer and get paid more money...But if the economy is going down the pan then not many companies will be taking on new staff, that's why I'm thinking the PHD might actually be a safer option; plus I get to be called Doctor at the end of it.
Plus at the end you'll be more employable and worth more, yes?

Well that's it exactly. If I do the PHD I can be employed as either a graphic designer, multimedia designer or technology developer/researcher.

If I don't do the PHD I'm just employable as a graphic designer or multimedia designer.

2008-07-04 08:31:14

#9

PureFodder: Member; +225|6707

PHD. Not too much work, you get paid to fly to conferences across the world (think free air travel to a holiday destination), you get to make everyone call you doctor at the end of it. Student discount for the next 4 years, if it's similar to the British system, no council tax for 4 years. If you publish a journal paper you've added to the sum of human advancement in some small way which is a very full-filling thought.

The write up is a royal pain though. I'm about 130 pages into mine at the moment. If you don't like what you will be studying though it's a waste of 4 years though.

2008-07-04 08:32:02

#10

ZombieVampire!: The Gecko; +69|6249

So, in short:
+ You'd enjoy it
+ Economic security
+ Improved future prospects
+ Guaranteed and immediate

- You might earn more elsewhere

Seems like a no-brainer to me, but ultimately it's your choice.

2008-07-04 08:33:18

#11

God Save the Queen: Banned; +628|6765|tropical regions of london

who's to say you wont get a chance to earn more in the future? go for it.

2008-07-04 08:40:37

#12

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6712|Éire

ZombieVampire! wrote:
So, in short:
+ You'd enjoy it
+ Economic security
+ Improved future prospects
+ Guaranteed and immediate

- You might earn more elsewhere

Seems like a no-brainer to me, but ultimately it's your choice.

I'd be in a similar mindset to the above list. Plus I have no kids, no mortgage and no major overheads and reckon I could get by comfortably on the stipend.

2008-07-04 08:44:00

#13

..teddy..jimmy: Member; +1,393|7071

Sounds like you enjoy what you do mate so I would definitely go for it..

Job opportunities are always increased with a phd and it sounds like you've been given a pretty good deal by the university..

Which uni is it?

2008-07-04 08:46:16

#14

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6712|Éire

..teddy..jimmy wrote:
Sounds like you enjoy what you do mate so I would definitely go for it..

Job opportunities are always increased with a phd and it sounds like you've been given a pretty good deal by the university..

Which uni is it?

I don't want to name it in open forum as fellow competitors for the position come from the game programming end and might (on the off chance) frequent a forum like this.

It's one of the three big Dublin colleges though.

2008-07-04 08:48:51

#15

..teddy..jimmy: Member; +1,393|7071

Braddock wrote:
..teddy..jimmy wrote:
Sounds like you enjoy what you do mate so I would definitely go for it..

Job opportunities are always increased with a phd and it sounds like you've been given a pretty good deal by the university..

Which uni is it?
I don't want to name it in open forum as fellow competitors for the position come from the game programming end and might (on the off chance) frequent a forum like this.

It's one of the three big Dublin colleges though.

aaa yeah that's fair..I think I have a hunch which one it is though

2008-07-04 09:23:54

#16

Dr.PhiL: Danmark; +30|7091|Up North

€326 A week?

Sorry but that doesnt seem that much, considering you have a degree.

I worked for IBM/Carlsberg in Dublin/Ballycoolin, as techincal supporter, and im self learned.

They paid 457€ (after taxes) a week, plus other bonuses, and travel expenses.

Am i missing something here? sorry

Last edited by Dr.PhiL (2008-07-04 09:24:55)

2008-07-04 09:28:18

#17

lowing: Banned; +1,662|7073|USA

Go for the money, there are a lot of leeches in this world that are counting on your success for survival, I know you wouldn't want to let them down. What the fuck are they supposed to do while you are off bettering yourself for the next 4 years?? Forget it.

Last edited by lowing (2008-07-04 09:30:13)

2008-07-04 09:30:02

#18

oug: Calmer than you are.; +380|6941|Πάϊ

it's a no brainer

_ƒ³

2008-07-04 11:27:07

#19

CaptainSpaulding71: Member; +119|6778|CA, USA

braddock,

i'd consider taking the PhD position if it's something you want to do (even someday). if you decide against it and go into industry, you'd have to leave the job to pursue the PhD since many of these PhD programs require residency requirements. While you are away going for the degree, you would lose out on any options and stock the company would be giving out. I'm in high tech and asked many people this same question and all of them said do it if it is a goal of yours but do it right away.

think about it this way, the economy sucks now (so i'm told), but economy is usually cyclic. you could ride out the downturn doing your degree and then come out on-top when it picks up. You'll be ahead of people coming into the field at that time due to your degree. if you can freelance at the time or work with industry on a few internships - i highly recommend this since the industry experience really helps. the transition from academia to industry is a big part of the first few months of your job where you are feeling out what you need to do to succeed. at least you will already know that and hit the ground running

so again, i suggest that you go for the PhD and ride out the economy. during this time, try hard to get internships to get industry experience. after you complete your degree, you have choice to stay in academia as a prof or researcher or you can join private industry and make some $$$ if that is what you are after. you have a bright future here i think. good luck

2008-07-04 13:29:04

#20

FEOS: Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate; +1,182|6832|'Murka

Dr.PhiL wrote:
€326 A week?

Sorry but that doesnt seem that much, considering you have a degree.

I worked for IBM/Carlsberg in Dublin/Ballycoolin, as techincal supporter, and im self learned.

They paid 457€ (after taxes) a week, plus other bonuses, and travel expenses.

Am i missing something here? sorry

Yeah...he's getting a PhD out of it.

Go for the advanced degree, Braddock. You will have far more options available to you and be able to start at a much higher salary...particularly if your doctoral research gets a lot of recognition in the field.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular

2008-07-04 13:34:43

#21

m3thod: All kiiiiiiiiinds of gainz; +2,197|7093|UK

bollocks to the phd. Focus on career.

Blackbelts are just whitebelts who have never quit.

2008-07-04 13:58:40

#22

Vilham: Say wat!?; +580|7188|UK

phd, then u can fuck about at uni for another few years

2008-07-04 14:18:07

#23

JahManRed: wank; +646|7049|IRELAND

Doctor Braddock has a ring to it. Do the 4 years and your set up for life. You will never go back and do your PHD if you don't do it now.

2008-07-04 14:24:07

#24

Scorpion0x17: can detect anyone's visible post count...; +691|7187|Cambridge (UK)

<insert logo>

Just do it!

Seriously, you'll not regret getting a PhD.

2008-07-04 15:33:13

#25

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6921|so randum

Phd.

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

BF2S Forums What Should I Do?

ZombieVampire! wrote:

Braddock wrote:

ZombieVampire! wrote:

usmarine2 wrote:

ZombieVampire! wrote:

Braddock wrote:

ZombieVampire! wrote:

ZombieVampire! wrote:

..teddy..jimmy wrote:

Braddock wrote:

..teddy..jimmy wrote:

Dr.PhiL wrote:

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