WANNA WORK IN THE USA (and make lots of money)

humanino

Professor salary. And some of them only keep studying whatever they like indeed, without publishing. That is also the problem in this system.

Gokul43201

When you talk of pay, that doesn't include research grants. Research grants don't go into your pocket.

Getting tenured at a major university is a $#!tload of hard work and is far from the cushy life you make it out to be. I believe there are a couple of members here that could attest to that. Even after getting a tenure, it's a lot of work producing results, writing proposals (which may sound easy, but is anything but), and keeping ahead of the competition.

It's a mad, mad, mad world, out there.

humanino

Devil's advocate again (because Gokul is really right : if you want to make money, do not go for research)
As a PhD student, you have a constant occasion to save money. Apart from appartment rent, food and books, everything else is extra you could skip. For instance : it is great to buy a CD, but when are you going to listen to it

Kalimaa23

More importantly, why buy it when the comp sci department has one hell of a big pipe, that just screams "DOWNLOAD!!!!!!!!!"

Integral

Careful! Now you are talking about taking a job away from an average American!

Things are indeed tight as far as jobs go in the industry. You would be fighting an uphill battle but if you are determined and do not give up there are opportunities. More so considering your field and level of education. Much of your success will depend upon your determination and ... Knowing someone in the company you apply to. (Sad, but true!) Any contacts you can make are vital.

vanesch

Hi there,

I have only an indirect experience of working in the US ; in fact I stayed in Europe but worked remotely for HP Santa Rosa (now it is called Agilent). It was no fun, honestly. I myself left after 1 1/2 year, and my collegues who stayed, got kicked out a few years later - and not because the work didn't please, but just because we were more high-tech oriented and not so much "just do something-anything that can please the average customer QUICKLY, even if it is scientifically bull****".
I think that if you want to make big money, and only that, forget about PhD's and research and so on, and get your own business started. This is probably easier in Europe than in the US.
If you are more research-minded, well, forget the big money . Probably there are opportunities in the US, but you should consider maybe other countries than Belgium in Europe first - it is not really a research-minded country ; at least that was my experience. France is a lot better in that regard, even if things are getting a bit harder - there's an other mindset.

cheers,
Patrick.

YourLooks

Really, i have never known that ?
But are you open ? Japan is admittedly not number one, but an individual living in a number one country can then surely become number one too ? , for example you!

marlon

Hi Vanesch, thanks for your reply...

You are indeed right i wanna go for the big money (not only that of course). Don't get me wrong here, what i mean by that is i wanna be in the industry you know. I don't wanna be a researcher and indeed i do not have a PhD. Getting into the industry and technology is the main reason why i am studying engineering (you know : burgerlijk ingenieur). My dream is to have my own business although that will be very difficult, yet that does not scare me. At least I will try my best. I am specializing in photonics...lasers, semiconductors and so on...


regards
marlon

marlon

Hi Yourlooks

I don't think i am getting your point here ???
What do you mean ???
I never proclaimed to be number one you know...


marlon, number two !!!!!!

phatmonky

Lazy ***. In the states we require real work :o

phatmonky

As a business owner myself, I'm curious to know your reasoning on why you think it will be easier for him to start a business in Europe than in the US? Do you simply mean to say because he is European? Or do you believe that some market variable in Europe is more condusive to sucessfully starting a small business?

vanesch

Because he's European. Of course it is easier to start a business in the US, but you first have to get there !

cheers,
Patrick.

vanesch

Well, sorry to disappoint you then but I don't think that having a salary in industry as an engineer is so much better payed than, say, in public service (especially international public service). If $$$ is what you want, you should orient more towards commercial and management stuff, something that will be usefull too if you create your own business. Personally, for me these are the worst things I could do in my own life (and, hey, because we seem to disagree on many points, that's a plus for you )

cheers,
Patrick.

marlon

Hi Vanesch, indeed we disagree on many points but that is not a problem for me. You are right though, it is in fact the management-positions that are best paid but i really believe that having a profound technical background is more valuable then some economic background. The latter will be learned in practice, you know...

marlon

vanesch

I agree fully with you that this is the sanest way to be a good manager. However, I have the impression that this is absolutely not how people get in these positions in the first place. I think you have to go to an upshot MBA school or the like, not because you learn what so ever of any value there, but because you learn to know the people who distribute the cards, who have been through the same circuit and, you know, to start to be part of the ol'boys network and fill up your address book.

cheers,
Patrick.

Evo

In technical sales you can expect to earn $150,000 to $250,000 US dollars per year. That is what I do.

You need to be in mid management to make those figures. If you want higher incomes in management an MBA helps.

Gokul43201

<blowing long whistle>

I think Evo ought to throw a party for all PF members.