Is it better to pursue Ph.D or work as an engineer?

[master_picengineer]

Hi all,
A friend asked me the following question:
Normally a Ph. D takes betwen 2 and 4 years of study and researches. Let suppose two friends Mike and Boby fresh graduated Engineers. Mike Found a job in a company and Boby prefered to carry on his study as a Ph. D student (in internship) in the same company. Generally during the Ph. D period the Ph. D Student is underpaid compared to engineers. What will be his situation after having his doctoral diploma ?
How to compare the skills betwen Mike (2 - 4 years experience) and Boby (fresh graduated doctor) ?

 

[tom_hanks]

Re: Ph. D vs Engineer

PHd ppl look for problems,..

while engineer are for solving the problems...

 

[master_picengineer]

Ph. D vs Engineer

Dear tom_hanks,
Can you explain how ?

 

[avimit]

Re: Ph. D vs Engineer

I have to say, that it depends upon the PhD topic. If the person does a PhD in s'thing hot, from a good uni, which can be utilized by industry, I will say the PhD guy wins, i.e he will have quality work to do, and will have more salay in long term. On the other hand if the PhD topic is general, and after completing it the PhD guy is not using his research in industry, then its not that good. He will end up doing what a simple engineer is doing, and will earn less as he will not be paid as much as a 4 year exp person. Then I will say an engineer wins.
Well this is just my theory, ppl might differ. If you do pls write
Kr,
Avi
http://www.vlsiip.com

 

[forkschgrad]

Re: Ph. D vs Engineer

I have to say, that it depends upon the PhD topic. If the person does a PhD in s'thing hot, from a good uni, which can be utilized by industry, I will say the PhD guy wins, i.e he will have quality work to do, and will have more salay in long term. On the other hand if the PhD topic is general, and after completing it the PhD guy is not using his research in industry, then its not that good. He will end up doing what a simple engineer is doing, and will earn less as he will not be paid as much as a 4 year exp person. Then I will say an engineer wins.
Well this is just my theory, ppl might differ. If you do pls write
Kr,
Avi
http://www.vlsiip.com

what phd courses are good to study?

 

[Old Nick]

Re: Ph. D vs Engineer

I have to say, that it depends upon the PhD topic. If the person does a PhD in s'thing hot, from a good uni, which can be utilized by industry, I will say the PhD guy wins, i.e he will have quality work to do, and will have more salay in long term. On the other hand if the PhD topic is general, and after completing it the PhD guy is not using his research in industry, then its not that good. He will end up doing what a simple engineer is doing, and will earn less as he will not be paid as much as a 4 year exp person. Then I will say an engineer wins.
Well this is just my theory, ppl might differ. If you do pls write
Kr,
Avi
http://www.vlsiip.com

what phd courses are good to study?

You should pick a PhD in something you're interested in, if you do one to enhance your CV you will probably fail it.
A PhD in any engineering subject is pretty much as good as another, as the main skills you learn are research and problem solving. It is unlikely that you'll find a job which matches your PhD exactly, obviously if you do analogue VLSI in your PhD it will aid you get a job in that field.