For FIRST Alums thinking about Engineering Graduate School

[Vince]

FIRST alums thinking about Engineering Graduate School might care to visit the Yale School of Engineering Workshop for Prospective Graduate Students on November 5.

I think those who are able to attend will be quite impressed with what is behind the curtain - Vince

[lynca]

Graduate school is a great step for engineers who are interested into research based jobs.

Most bachelor's degree will not teach you how to solve complex problems. A masters degree will give you the skills to solve a problem using literature searches, design methodology and rigorous mathematical theory.

This of course varies widely by schools, degrees, advisor and student motivation.

A PhD gives you the chance to propose a complex problem no one has ever solved !

[davidthefat]

It is possible to be pursuing a PHD and have a stable job outside the program or would you consider that your job? Lets say I am trying to earn a PHD at Caltech, I am doing research during the program, can I also be working at JPL? What is the actual PHD progress? You really don't need to do the PHD process in computer science right? Just make a big impact in the world, PHD is just a title.

[lynca]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

It is possible to be pursuing a PHD and have a stable job outside the program or would you consider that your job? Lets say I am trying to earn a PHD at Caltech, I am doing research during the program, can I also be working at JPL?

I'm not as familiar with the CalTech/JPL scenario however I have seen people do a similar working PhD at NASA-JSC/Rice. It is a more strenuous path especially when your taking classes.

Originally Posted by davidthefat

What is the actual PHD progress? You really don't need to do the PHD process in computer science right? Just make a big impact in the world, PHD is just a title.

Many people have made huge impacts on the world without a Bachelors degree. Every degree is a title. However, your PhD thesis and research papers represent your research quality level.

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

It is possible to be pursuing a PHD and have a stable job outside the program or would you consider that your job? Lets say I am trying to earn a PHD at Caltech, I am doing research during the program, can I also be working at JPL? What is the actual PHD progress? You really don't need to do the PHD process in computer science right? Just make a big impact in the world, PHD is just a title.

My mom earned her PhD while working an engineering research job and raising two kids. It took her 6 years or so, but it can be done.