Is anyone here going to pursue their phd in computer science?

I've been thinking about it for a while, and I'm hoping to go off and get my phd in computer science, and become a college professor.

I found that close to 80% of computer science phd- candidates have jobs as teaching fellows(and make over 15,000 a year on average)!

Not bad. The only reason why I wouldn't get a phd(full time) would be lack of money, but a teaching fellow position would solve that!

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone else here was going to pursue a phd? Does anyone have any comments for or against a phd?

Thanks,
Terrance :)

15,000 on average? doesn't getting a phd take years and years...I know my dad is a physician (family practice) and it took him a very long time, but at least he makes over 50,000 a year

15,000 a year is less than minimum wage...

That's pretty bad(I assume you're talking American money), I think going to school to learn something and then be a teacher is kind of funny.
// I don't mean being a teacher for the subject is funny
// I think that learning some thing just to teach it is weird
// It seems pointless to learn something to teach it, so that people learn it, then they teach it...

It seems pointless, but if you want, go for it.

I'm debating if I'm either going to be a musician or a programmer...

Hmmm.

Edit: Read the comments.

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Originally posted by JaWiB
15,000 on average? doesn't getting a phd take years and years...I know my dad is a physician (family practice) and it took him a very long time, but at least he makes over 50,000 a year

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phd takes 4-5 years full time.

the 15,000 a year is what you make part time(15-25 hours a week). If you're still living in a college dorm and living off student loans, that's not bad pay!

And physicians makes a lot more than 50k a year!

Anyways, most (4 year) colleges like their professors to have a phd in the subject they're teaching(not many professors don't have a phd).

Good for you man..
I myself would eventually want a Ph.D, but not in computer science.. Im more of an engineer hehe
But yes, I also would eventually want to be a professor.
not sure what you mean by 15k salary, even in USD thats quite low for a person with a Ph.D
University professors in Sydney Australia (Where I live) have minimum salary of 60k AUD and it goes up to like 120k AUD. (1 AUD is about .6 USD) But then I don't really care about money, if I cared about money I wudve chose the path of commerce or business... but I just want to do something I would enjoy :)

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Originally posted by Panopticon
Good for you man..
I myself would eventually want a Ph.D, but not in computer science.. Im more of an engineer hehe
But yes, I also would eventually want to be a professor.
not sure what you mean by 15k salary, even in USD thats quite low for a person with a Ph.D
University professors in Sydney Australia (Where I live) have minimum salary of 60k AUD and it goes up to like 120k AUD. (1 AUD is about .6 USD) But then I don't really care about money, if I cared about money I wudve chose the path of commerce or business... but I just want to do something I would enjoy :)

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He's not saying he'll be making 15k/year with his Ph.D, he's saying he will be paid 15k/year while studying for his Ph.D

Also, in response to CheesyMoo; professors do more than teach. (read: research)
And yes, I hope to one day get a Ph.D

I think a phd takes longer than 4 years. 4 years for a BS then 2 more for a MS then 2 more for phd I'm guessing. So about 8 total? Physicians or Doctors, like the medical one's take longer I think cause they gotta do an intern type deal. Like after they get their phd they gotta work for 2 years at intern pay, which is like 30-35k a year, then after those 2 years they get more money. For a computer science phd you don't have to do that intern time but you still gotta have like major projects, write some kinda thesis im sure etc. It's probably worth it goodluck. Personally I haven't decided if I wanna go for it, rather take things one day at a time, a phd seems soooo far off!

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Originally posted by Eibro
He's not saying he'll be making 15k/year with his Ph.D, he's saying he will be paid 15k/year while studying for his Ph.D

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Nuts. I always sucked at everything involving words.

im reconcidering even getting my bachelors in computer science engineering...maybe leave programming as a hobby. i dont know

I don't know as of yet. I plan to be a comp. engineering major, and the highest degree for that right now is a BS at most schools (and at the university I am going to). I'm hoping to at least get a MS, so I hope in the next couple years, an option for Master's would be possible.

On average, it could take someone from 6 - 8 years to receive a Ph.D. in CS. Quite a few schools have the BS/MS program, which means you typically graduate with your BS and MS at the same time in ~5 yrs.

Anyways, best of luck!

I'm planning on a Masters, probably in computer science, but I might change it to some form of Chemistry and minor in Comp. Sci if the economy looks bad or I don't like comp sci enough.

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Originally posted by alpha


On average, it could take someone from 6 - 8 years to receive a Ph.D. in CS. Quite a few schools have the BS/MS program, which means you typically graduate with your BS and MS at the same time in ~5 yrs.

Anyways, best of luck!

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sorry, I meant 4-5 years for the phd/ after receiving a bachelor's.

Anyways, sounds good. Maybe some of us will teach together some day :)