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PhD's are a waste of time

 
Old 12-29-2010 at 05:35 PM   #1
jordan19
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PhD's are a waste of time
http://www.economist.com/node/17723223

According to above.
Old 12-29-2010 at 05:41 PM   #2
Rakim
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K opinion noted.

bye
Old 12-29-2010 at 05:43 PM   #3
arathbon
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If you want to be a professor at a research university you need a PhD. Other than that, I can't tell you much about them.
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Old 12-29-2010 at 05:46 PM   #4
CrashPlague
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it's ok, I'm a doctor!

EDIT:

Quote:
Originally Posted by arathbon View Post
If you want to be a professor at a research university you need a PhD. Other than that, I can't tell you much about them.
um, last time I checked a Ph.D wasn't a prerequisite for professorship, but it helps.
Old 12-29-2010 at 05:51 PM   #5
Mahratta
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^ I think he meant 'research professorship'.

Depends on the area of study, but yes, the Ph.D./professorial position ratio is higher on a whole than it used to be.

As for the "someone should write a thesis about [the disposable academic]" - plenty have, & as a whole, sociology/history (along with other areas, eg. some fields of biology) are saturated with grad students. So really, we don't want people writing about that
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Old 12-29-2010 at 05:52 PM   #6
shes-a-diva*
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the article's whole argument is that PhD students don't get paid what they should... have you ever heard of people furthering education because they like learning?

if people really think PhD's are such a waste, then get into a field that has good financial reward

Old 12-29-2010 at 05:53 PM   #7
CrashPlague
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shes-a-diva* View Post
the article's whole argument is that PhD students don't get paid what they should... have you ever heard of people furthering education because they like learning?

if people really think PhD's are such a waste, then get into a field that has good financial reward
Couldn't agree more.

shes-a-diva* says thanks to CrashPlague for this post.

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Old 12-29-2010 at 06:17 PM   #8
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Quote:
um, last time I checked a Ph.D wasn't a prerequisite for professorship, but it helps.
I don't know many Professors (as opposed to sessional faculty) that don't have a PhD. (Scratch that, there are a number of Associate Clinical Professors in Medicine with just an MD) But my point is, to become a tenured member of faculty (particularly with so few positions available compared to qualified applicants) I wouldn't bank on getting a Masters and getting a job.
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Old 12-29-2010 at 06:33 PM   #9
Rayine
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arathbon View Post
I don't know many Professors (as opposed to sessional faculty) that don't have a PhD. (Scratch that, there are a number of Associate Clinical Professors in Medicine with just an MD) But my point is, to become a tenured member of faculty (particularly with so few positions available compared to qualified applicants) I wouldn't bank on getting a Masters and getting a job.
An MD is also considered a doctoral degree.

And these days, with everybody going to school, you need everything you can get to distinguish yourself from the rest of the huge crowd. Bachelor degrees arent enough anymore, and Master degrees are basically considered entry level these days.
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Old 12-29-2010 at 07:16 PM   #10
CrashPlague
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arathbon View Post
I don't know many Professors (as opposed to sessional faculty) that don't have a PhD. (Scratch that, there are a number of Associate Clinical Professors in Medicine with just an MD) But my point is, to become a tenured member of faculty (particularly with so few positions available compared to qualified applicants) I wouldn't bank on getting a Masters and getting a job.
I understand where you're coming from. I was just trying to say that it's not a strictly enforced requirement, I know there are a few professors at McMaster who don't have their PhD.
Old 12-29-2010 at 07:32 PM   #11
~*Sara*~
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shes-a-diva* View Post
the article's whole argument is that PhD students don't get paid what they should... have you ever heard of people furthering education because they like learning?

if people really think PhD's are such a waste, then get into a field that has good financial reward
Completely true.

Bachelor's degrees are considered the norm nowadays. Everyone has them, that's why you need graduate school to be competitive within your field as well as with the knowledge, references and skills that you gain by doing a Master's or PhD.

Also, I always thought an MD is an undergraduate professional degree?
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Last edited by ~*Sara*~ : 12-29-2010 at 07:34 PM.
Old 12-29-2010 at 08:04 PM   #12
britb
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ~*Sara*~ View Post

Also, I always thought an MD is an undergraduate professional degree?
It is... I think he's referring to the fact that you get called "Dr" for both, and that MDs can be required for profs (med school) like a PhD.
Old 12-29-2010 at 08:05 PM   #13
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What if i want to get my doctorate in touching boobies LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OL
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Old 12-29-2010 at 08:08 PM   #14
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I have a PHD...........

Old 12-29-2010 at 08:12 PM   #15
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guys, don't worry, you're all going to be rich no matter what you do

its no big deal

step 1 degree
step 2 degree
step 3 success

its a proven formula
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