Everyone here always has great advice, and I’m seeking it again!
I’ve applied to a number of PhD programs in computer science and mechanical engineering (I have an MS in mechanical engineering), with the aim of doing research on applications of machine learning and computer vision to autonomous robotics. I know this is a pretty competitive area and I lack a CS background, but I have a strong profile overall as well as research experience in robotics. However, it’s now February and I’ve heard nothing—no interviews, no decisions—and according to GradCafe, several programs I applied to have already sent out interview invites and acceptances. At the same time, it’s only February 1 and most of the programs I applied to still pretty much haven’t sent out anything to anybody.
I also just received an offer for a job as a software engineer, where I’d be working on developing machine learning applications at a research-heavy company.
I guess what I’m asking for is advice on how to approach this. On the one hand, I don’t want to take the job only to receive a PhD acceptance a few weeks later and blindside them by quitting after 4 or 5 months. I really like the company and, one way or another, I’ll likely end up seeing them again eventually, e.g., at conferences. On the other hand, if the PhD applications don’t work out for me this year, the job would be a great fallback and would strengthen my application for the next PhD cycle (or even just in general, for my career).
edit: I should mention I’m not currently working in a position that’s really relevant to my goals and have spent the better part of a year and a half trying to break into the machine learning/computer vision industry, and this is the first offer I’ve received. I’m not sure how long it would be before I could get another similar offer, since I don’t have professional experience in this field.
You can take the job and work for a few years, then go to a PhD program if you want later. It seems like the job is in the area you are interested in anyway, so it may be a good thing to get some industry experience in it even if you eventually later go to PhD study.
Also, since the PhD programs will be admitting students next year, the year after, etc., but the job offer is more ephemeral and less predictable, foregoing the PhD study now is less of an opportunity lost than foregoing the job now.
Early February is still in the middle of admissions season, and it’s not unusual for programs to not be finished notifying applicants until March. That said, you can always reach out to your top choice programs and explain your situation, then ask if they have any news for you.
That said, though, I’d advocate for (as ucbalumnus said) taking the job. You can always reapply later, and may be more successful with industry research experience under your belt.
I’m no expert, but I see no harm in getting a year or two of career experience under your belt. You can also save up money, because you won’t be rich as a PhD candidate. Is there such a thing as deferral for a year when you are trying for a PhD?
“I also just received an offer for a job as a software engineer, where I’d be working on developing machine learning applications at a research-heavy company”
I have no experience other then reading on cc but it seems this company is giving you everything you want. Let them know that you want to be involved in research. This job might give you the research that you are seeking and getting paid real money to boot. If after a year you are still wanting the PhD then reply. Maybe this company has a program for PhD students or something like that also.
i agree with all the advice above. Since you have had a challenge getting the kind of job you want, this is an excellent opportunity to get experience and even if you get admitted, you can ask for a deferral for a year and most programs will agree to let you do this. That would give you about 18 months of job experience before you start the Ph.D.
@ucbalumnus Your point about the job offer being more ephemeral and less predictable is a good one, and the point that both you and @juillet made about getting some relevant industry experience before a PhD is also a good point.
@bluebayou A few of them start making offers in early January. Most of the others seem to start in late January and continue through February, but a handful don’t start until mid-February. Of course, like @juillet said, a lot of them also seem to continue sending out scattered decisions until March.
@NorthernMom61 They’ve given me two and a half weeks, which is quite a bit of time. I suppose it’s definitely enough time for a few PhD decisions to come in.
@Lindagaf@xraymancs Deferring for a year is an option I hadn’t actually thought of. I could definitely consider that, if admitted. My understanding is that deferral is handled on a case by case basis, and I imagine that getting a year and a half of relevant work experience would be a reasonable justification for wanting to defer. Is there more to the process I ought to keep in mind?
@Knowsstuff You bring up some good points that I actually did ask about at the interview. The company is research-focused and they said that, if I wanted to and put in the effort, I could have the opportunity to coauthor journal publications. They also do tuition reimbursement for taking classes at local engineering schools, which might allow me to take a few relevant courses between now and next year.
The point several people brought up about saving up some money before grad school is also something I’ve thought about, but it’s not my primary concern as I’m a career changer and have a decent amount saved up from working already.
@AuraObscura… Maybe I am not fully understanding but this job seems like a perfect situation. Not only do you get to work in an area you enjoy they will pay you well to do research and publish papers. Isn’t the point of a PhD to research and publish papers? I would think not many candidates would actually want to do this to your degree. Maybe that’s why they are hiring you. You fit their mold.
Maybe letting them know you are giving up a PhD opportunity so doing research is really important to you?
To an outsider like me this just seems like a perfect situation and more then just luck.
@Knowsstuff You’ve certainly got a point there. Still, a PhD is both a professional and personal goal of mine—professional because, while I may get to do some real research at this company, the training and credibility that come with a PhD will likely open up a lot more opportunities over the course of my career, especially when it comes to research positions. Research is my goal and, to me, it makes sense to have a research credential (a PhD) that will enable me to achieve that goal no matter what company or what industry I take my skills to.
@Publisher I think you’re absolutely right, and I’ve probably repeated that phrase to myself a dozen times since last week to convince myself of it too, ha.
I think an open question, @AuraObscura, is how much you actually need the PhD to do the kind of work you want to do in your field. One of the things that I learned after I left academia is that a lot of research done in the private sector, especially, is done by master’s-degree holders. It’s still true, though, that PhDs will probably be more competitive for the best/most prestigious/highest-paying and most autonomous kinds of research jobs. I’m not trying to dissuade you from doing a PhD at all (in fact, in your case, it sounds like a great idea); just saying you might want to factor that in when thinking about timing of the PhD vs. working.
The other thing is that if this is a company you really like and that has exciting research, if you work there first, there may be ways to stay tied to it as you do your PhD and potentially return after completing your PhD. You could even potentially work with some of the researchers there on your dissertation project or whatever, and get a lot of support through your program.
I’d still reach out to your top choice program(s), especially if there’s one (or two or three) that you’re really passionate about.
@juillet Both your statements are true in my field:
And like you said, the second one is the driving force behind my wanting a PhD.
I’ve also briefly thought about staying connected with the company during/after the PhD, and it’s something I’ll definitely keep in mind throughout this experience. In the meantime, I’ll reach out to my top choices—I wasn’t sure if that would be fruitful, but it couldn’t hurt.