Anyone here with a PhD in a stem degree?

[SoapyToad]

Currently doing BSc IT at NWU POTCH majoring in CS and IS with multivariable calculus and linear algebra as electives. Working hard so I can get into Wits/UCT for post-graduate study. Would like to know if the pros outweigh the cons in getting a PhD in CS over a MSc in CS. Would you rather have stopped at masters looking back?

 

[PHalanKS]

@JanvN

 

[Valheru]

Post graduate was an utter joke (for me). Unless you really want to stay in academia and further yourself in your fields with research, etc I do not think full time post graduate studies are worth it.

If you can start work asap and get some practical experience under your belt and rather take unpaid / sabbatical in order to complete.

Disclaimer: I am an asshole and ran afoul of the ego's as I refused to kiss ass and flatter the lazy. The dean at the time refused to step in and help.

 

[SoapyToad]

Post graduate was an utter joke (for me). Unless you really want to stay in academia and further yourself in your fields with research, etc I do not think full time post graduate studies are worth it.

If you can start work asap and get some practical experience under your belt and rather take unpaid / sabbatical in order to complete.

Disclaimer: I am an asshole and ran afoul of the ego's as I refused to kiss ass and flatter the lazy. The dean at the time refused to step in and help.

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll have to decide in the coming years if I really enjoy academia enough and if research is something that tickles my fancy.

 

[dalion619]

My brother is in the process of a PhD. With articles/research + NRF, he gets some serious bank for someone that’s stays at home 😝

If you wanna do it and you got the time + money, go for it. I haven’t met a person that regretted doing post grad although they might have rather used that time building their bank account.

Just make sure it aligns with your end goals. IT is a great field in that progression/experience is more aligned to input than years.

 

[JanvN]

Currently doing BSc IT at NWU POTCH majoring in CS and IS with multivariable calculus and linear algebra as electives. Working hard so I can get into Wits/UCT for post-graduate study. Would like to know if the pros outweigh the cons in getting a PhD in CS over a MSc in CS. Would you rather have stopped at masters looking back?

Honest advice - wrapped up my Ph.D Comp Sci at UJ almost 2 years ago. Did a double major B.Sc Comp Sci and Informatics, then Hon Comp Sci. Started working part-time in honours (which I highly recommend). Then worked full time whilst completing my M.Sc (2 years) and Ph.D (3 years). One can work full time and still get these degrees.

My honest 2c - the Ph.D (in industry as well as academia) is well worth it, BUT, get industry experience. When doing your M.Sc/Ph.D - BIGGEST advise, pick something you are passionate about, and double win if that can open up a career for you. There are lots of tech companies that are looking for top-notch M.Sc/Ph.D students that have strong R&D, critical problem solving, and a knack for solving problems.

More than happy to share some extra insights via PM if you have any questions.

 

[mikewazar]

Honest advice - wrapped up my Ph.D Comp Sci at UJ almost 2 years ago. Did a double major B.Sc Comp Sci and Informatics, then Hon Comp Sci. Started working part-time in honours (which I highly recommend). Then worked full time whilst completing my M.Sc (2 years) and Ph.D (3 years). One can work full time and still get these degrees.

My honest 2c - the Ph.D (in industry as well as academia) is well worth it, BUT, get industry experience. When doing your M.Sc/Ph.D - BIGGEST advise, pick something you are passionate about, and double win if that can open up a career for you. There are lots of tech companies that are looking for top-notch M.Sc/Ph.D students that have strong R&D, critical problem solving, and a knack for solving problems.

More than happy to share some extra insights via PM if you have any questions.

how was bullybeef at UJ?

 

[SoapyToad]

Honest advice - wrapped up my Ph.D Comp Sci at UJ almost 2 years ago. Did a double major B.Sc Comp Sci and Informatics, then Hon Comp Sci. Started working part-time in honours (which I highly recommend). Then worked full time whilst completing my M.Sc (2 years) and Ph.D (3 years). One can work full time and still get these degrees.

My honest 2c - the Ph.D (in industry as well as academia) is well worth it, BUT, get industry experience. When doing your M.Sc/Ph.D - BIGGEST advise, pick something you are passionate about, and double win if that can open up a career for you. There are lots of tech companies that are looking for top-notch M.Sc/Ph.D students that have strong R&D, critical problem solving, and a knack for solving problems.

More than happy to share some extra insights via PM if you have any questions.

I appreciate the advice coming from someone who has been through the whole shebang.

 

[SoapyToad]

how was bullybeef at UJ?

Whats that about?

 

[JanvN]

Whats that about?

Also don't get the reference

 

[SoapyToad]

Also don't get the reference

Hey just want to know do you by any chance know Marcel Coetzee? I remember he told me about his boss with a PhD in CS also at UJ, plus the same initials.

 

[JanvN]

Hey just want to know do you by any chance know Marcel Coetzee? I remember he told me about his boss with a PhD in CS also at UJ, plus the same initials.

Yeah - Marcel worked in my team for a couple of months

 

[Turbo_Aspiration]

Honest advice - wrapped up my Ph.D Comp Sci at UJ almost 2 years ago. Did a double major B.Sc Comp Sci and Informatics, then Hon Comp Sci. Started working part-time in honours (which I highly recommend). Then worked full time whilst completing my M.Sc (2 years) and Ph.D (3 years). One can work full time and still get these degrees.

My honest 2c - the Ph.D (in industry as well as academia) is well worth it, BUT, get industry experience. When doing your M.Sc/Ph.D - BIGGEST advise, pick something you are passionate about, and double win if that can open up a career for you. There are lots of tech companies that are looking for top-notch M.Sc/Ph.D students that have strong R&D, critical problem solving, and a knack for solving problems.

More than happy to share some extra insights via PM if you have any questions.

^ This is awesome advice.

I did my Hons and M.Sc part time while working but suggest full time until Hons level if you have the funds.

Keep it up with the maths component of your degree. Applying computing to a field (Computational xyz) is both lucrative and highly enjoyable if you're into problem solving and solution engineering. You just need the maths background to make it stick.

 

[SoapyToad]

^ This is awesome advice.

I did my Hons and M.Sc part time while working but suggest full time until Hons level if you have the funds.

Keep it up with the maths component of your degree. Applying computing to a field (Computational xyz) is both lucrative and highly enjoyable if you're into problem solving and solution engineering. You just need the maths background to make it stick.

Yeah I only realized the importance of math after I had mathematical literacy in matric. Had to do a bridging course but at least I fixed that part of my education.

 

[lowracer]

talking about maths - make sure you get your statistics up to date. there are a lot of opportunities coming up for machine learning, AI, etc. and having the statistics background, will make things a lot easier.

 

[SoapyToad]

talking about maths - make sure you get your statistics up to date. there are a lot of opportunities coming up for machine learning, AI, etc. and having the statistics background, will make things a lot easier.

Descriptive Statistics and Statistical Inference is part of my first year semester 1 and 2. Also have discrete mathematics. Just had to add second year calculus and algebra to complete my mathematical tool set. If I need more statistics i'll do some online courses.