Double MSc Engineering PhD Student Seeking Advice on Internship

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a double MSc engineering student and current PhD candidate in mathematics contemplating whether to accept an internship offer. The conversation explores the implications of taking the internship versus completing the PhD, including financial costs, potential job offers, and the value of skills gained through the internship.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the individual should consider doing both the internship and completing the PhD, arguing that the skills gained could outweigh the costs.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential regret of leaving the PhD for a job offer from the internship, with some arguing that a PhD in mathematics is highly valuable and could lead to better job prospects.
  • Others counter that practical skills gained from an internship can enhance the value of a PhD and may open more doors in the job market.
  • One participant shares their personal experience of dropping out of a PhD program and finding a better job, questioning the advisor's perspective on the long-term consequences of leaving academia.
  • There is a discussion about the financial aspects of the internship, with some noting that industrial jobs typically offer higher salaries than academic positions.
  • Concerns about language barriers in the job market are mentioned, with some participants asserting that English proficiency is generally sufficient in the EU context.
  • Some participants highlight the uncertainty of future job satisfaction, suggesting that the individual may find they prefer academia after a break from their current research.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on whether to pursue the internship or focus solely on completing the PhD. There is no consensus, as some advocate for the internship while others emphasize the importance of finishing the PhD.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects various assumptions about the value of academic versus industrial experience, the financial implications of the internship, and the potential for regret associated with leaving a PhD program. The perspectives shared are influenced by personal experiences and differing views on career trajectories.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering internships during graduate studies, those weighing the value of academic versus industrial experience, and students contemplating the implications of leaving a PhD program may find this discussion relevant.

topcomer
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Hi,

I'm a double-msc in engineering, now a 3rd year phd student in maths. My main specialty is scientific computing in C++. I got an offer for a 4-6 months internship in a very interesting company, and I don't know whether to accept. Between the decrease in my income (I have to take a leave since I have a salary at the university), relocation, and lost holidays, the internship will cost me ~5k. I tried to find a job to quit the phd recently, but job seekers turned me down due to the lack of industrial experience or the fact that I speak only english (I am in EU). What should I do? Finish the phd or go for the internship? On the good side, I could learn another language by doing the internship.

Thanks for any advice.
 
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topcomer said:
Finish the phd or go for the internship?

I'd try to do both.
 
twofish-quant said:
I'd try to do both.

Thanks for the reply!

Despite the monetary cost of the internship, I also tend towards the "do both" option, since the cost could probably be balanced by the skills I will acquire (this company develops a worldwide known engineering software).

Actually, when I talked with my advisor, his main argument against the internship, apart from the cost, is that they may offer me a job at the end, and if I accept and give up the phd I will regret it for the rest of my life, since many doors will remain forever shut.

According to him, a phd in maths stands well above my engineering degrees, internship, language and other skills, and as soon as I'm done I will be able to find any job I want, so I should only concentrate to finish asap. Is that really the case?
 
topcomer said:
Actually, when I talked with my advisor, his main argument against the internship, apart from the cost, is that they may offer me a job at the end, and if I accept and give up the phd I will regret it for the rest of my life, since many doors will remain forever shut.

So if they offer you a job, politely say no. Unless the company works on mind control devices, I don't see the problem here.

According to him, a phd in maths stands well above my engineering degrees, internship, language and other skills, and as soon as I'm done I will be able to find any job I want, so I should only concentrate to finish asap. Is that really the case?

No, it's not. There are some skills that are useful in the job world that aren't part of the Ph.D. curriculum. None of it is unlearnable, but you do have to learn the stuff.

The bizarre thing about this sort of advice is having an internship is going to make your Ph.D. much more valuable.
 
Your advisor is biased. If you give up on the PhD he will get a lot of flack from the head of department, dean, etc. for not keeping you motivated. I gave up on a PhD, never regretted it, never looked back... The job I got on dropping out was much better in every way than the PhD I was doing.

Anyway, what doors will remain shut if you drop out? The only ones I can think of are academic doors, and they will probably remain shut anyway.

As you already tried to find a job to quit the PhD aren't you 'wanting out' already?

The internship looks like a very good chance to 'try for something better', but if 'the grass isn't greener' you can always return to doing the PhD, and you'll have gained some useful experience. The 5K cost is nothing in the long term. Unless you can't afford to buy food, then I wouldn't even bother thinking about that...

I'm surprised you had a problem with knowing only English, it never held me back in the UK - and I've being involved in EU wide projects. It's pretty much accepted that everyone should speak English. Knowing C++ is very useful though :)
 
twofish-quant said:
So if they offer you a job, politely say no. Unless the company works on mind control devices, I don't see the problem here.

mal4mac said:
As you already tried to find a job to quit the PhD aren't you 'wanting out' already?

Yep, I'm kinda sick of my research topic and the only thing that in the last months (if not year) kept me at the university, besides the desire to put my name on a publication to say "I can do it", is that my phd is paid almost as much as a postdoc, plus benefits. If the company offers more, it will be difficult to say no. If that happens, then I will have to be 100% sure that it's not worth to spend ore more year at the university to get piece of paper saying I got a phd.

Thank you, that's the advice I needed to read!
 
topcomer said:
If the company offers more, it will be difficult to say no.

Post-docs typically make $40K. Industrial jobs typically make $70-80K. If it's just a matter of money (and there is no shame in making it about money), then it's a no-brainer.

But who knows what is going to happen. It may be that you go into industry and figure out that you hate industry more than academia. Or it could be that your dissertation topic looks better after you leave it for a few months. Or it could be that you end up thinking that the Ph.D. was a waste of time since life is so much better on the outside.

In any case, whatever happens happens.
 
Anyway, what doors will remain shut if you drop out? The only ones I can think of are academic doors, and they will probably remain shut anyway.

The other thing is that a Ph.D. that has an internship opens up a lot of doors. One difficult with freshly minted Ph.D.'s is that they have no experience with industry and they also often run into the overqualification issue.

Having an internship fixes both problems. If you think that you are going to be in a situation where you might be thought of as too academic or overqualified, then you deemphasize the Ph.D. and emphasize the internship.
 
I've just mailed the company to accept the internship.

Thank you for the advice!
 

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