Experience with doing a PhD in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering or Finance ?

Edwards Finance > Electrical Engineering

Q. Is anyone over here gone through a PhD program in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering ? I am interested in getting an idea of the graduate school experience especially from folks who are in a PhD program in CS/EE or Finance or have gone through one. In this group, I have read occassionally "horror" stories of graduate life in the sciences. My wife (Mol Bio) being one "victim" of the systemic abuse which pervades in the research labs of some of the most well-known faculties attest to this pattern very well. Thankfully, she got out of the PhD with her sanity and health still intact and got a pretty decent job in industry with her Master's degree. I have been warned repeatedly by my wife against venturing into an unknown i.e a PhD program at my age which is around 32. However, I love the area in which I am working (software design/development) and I would like to learn more. I have a Master's degree in Computer Science which I got in 1992. I have been working in industry since then. Off late, I have been seriously thinking of getting into a more senior role in industry, such as a role of a designer, architect, visionary :) in my field of expertise. I am hoping that a PhD in CS/EE or Finance from a good institution will help me pick up the necessary breadth and depth skills. (I am thinking about Finance because that is one area where there could be lots of interesting applications of computer science concepts). At the same time, I have heard too many horror stories from my wife and many of her friends about the intense stress and insane academic pressure wrought by the program. I have heard tales of marauding advisers and of their hapless victims. But, my wife's area being biotech, I am wondering whether this form of abuse is mostly in the basic sciences. Most of the articles in this group which talk about the abuse in the research environment, pertain to basic sciences -- that's how it seems. However, I know a good friend who did a PhD in Sociology and another who did it in International Relations, but, both had excellent relations with their adviser. (Its not difficult to guess why would the abuse be much more in basic sciences -- big labs, few grants, inflated egos, intense competition, control over destinies of so many people etc etc). I have trolled for some time, so I would wrap it up quickly, with apologies. What experience can you share about doing a PhD in CS/EE or in Finance ? How was your relation with your adviser ? How were the work conditions ? Did your adviser help you in your research and later in getting a job ? Finally, the most important question for me -- how long did it take ? I am planning to apply to Berkeley, Stanford, MIT, Urbana-Champaign, Carnegie Mellon, Maryland and Texas. I would like to go into a research oriented career very much. This is something where I see a PhD in CS/EE/Finance would benefit me a lot. But, I don't want to do it at the expense of my sanity. Yes, I am prepared to work hard for it. But I would not want to destroy my life.

A.

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