"When making a decision about the next 6 years of your life, it’s good to stop and think about what you might do when you finish. Most students upon completing a PhD either go into academia (research university or teaching school) and become a professor, or they go to a research lab. Some people never do research again after completing a PhD. For such people, the PhD was largely a waste of time.
- If you choose to be a professor at a research university, your life will consist of the following tasks: (i) doing research on anything you like, (ii) working with graduate students, (iii) teaching classes, (iv) applying for grants, (v) flying around to work with other researchers and to give talks on your research, (vi) doing service for your department and school (like giving this talk). Note that I say “your life” rather than your job, because for new faculty, your life becomes your job. It’s a fantastic job/life for me because I love these activities, so I’m happy to work hard at all of them, but it’s not right for everyone.
- If you choose to be a professor at a teaching college, your job will consist of the following: (i) teaching lots of classes, (ii) doing service for your department or school, (iii) occasionally advising undergraduates on undergraduate research, or doing a little of your own research.
- If you choose to go to a research lab, your job will consist of the following: (i) doing research (half will be on whatever you want, half will be on whatever the company wants you to do), (ii) working with other people in the company, (iii) traveling around a little to give talks and work with others."
I'm going to publish other parts of Mor's talk, discussing specific aspects related to PhD, in subsequent posts on this blog. So, keep watching.
