PhD through a company?
PhD through a company?
(OP)
Hi everyone,
I'm just wondering if anyone ever had an opportunity to do an engineering PhD through a company? To be more specific, something along the lines of working with the company in some area of research and development in combination with an academic side.
I'm asking just to gain some perspective on how rare this is, or how difficult it is to obtain such an arrangement since I've become interested in doing a PhD and am assessing my options.
I'm just wondering if anyone ever had an opportunity to do an engineering PhD through a company? To be more specific, something along the lines of working with the company in some area of research and development in combination with an academic side.
I'm asking just to gain some perspective on how rare this is, or how difficult it is to obtain such an arrangement since I've become interested in doing a PhD and am assessing my options.





RE: PhD through a company?
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RE: PhD through a company?
RE: PhD through a company?
RE: PhD through a company?
However, as a job search strategy a cover letter along the lines of "Dear Sir or Madam; I'd like to start working for your company and have you pay for my PhD" seems unlikely to be successful.
A better starting point might be to search for universities that have partnerships with industries already established.
RE: PhD through a company?
Otherwise, comments here are good guides.
Chris
SolidWorks 11
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: PhD through a company?
Otherwise, you can do it on your own through the company's reimbursement program. I've never met anyone who did that. I've met a few who got the master's that way.
In my experience, they're all fairly rare.
It won't hurt anything to investigate your options. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC
RE: PhD through a company?
Keep in mind that most employers have certain requirements that must be met. These may include the stipulation that the grade you earn must be at least a "B" in each class, and you may also be required to work for the company for a specific number of years after earning the degree so that they have the opportunity to recoup some of the expense of paying for your education. Failure to satisfy these requirements may result in a significant financial burden for you, since the company may refuse to cover part (or all) of your education costs as a result.
If you have a family or other significant obligations outside of work, then this will be a challenge to say the least. You will be at it for the better part of a decade and will have very little spare time outside of work to do anything else. I earned my Ph.D. by going straight through college before I started working and averaged approximately 60 hours per week for a period of almost 5 years just to earn the degree. Can you imagine that work load on top of a full time job, and having a family to care for at the same time? You should take a long hard look at the potential benefits and the potential downside to having the degree (yes, there is a very significant downside to earning a Ph.D. in industry). Don't commit yourself to this endeavor unless you are very confident that it is the right thing for you.
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: PhD through a company?
Would you care to elaborate on the significant downside to earning a Ph.D. in industry? I am not attempting to be contrary, but would like to get firsthand information from someone who has walked that road.
RE: PhD through a company?
RE: PhD through a company?
1.) You may become disillusioned with the job because it isn't challenging enough. This will prompt you to look for another job, and they will have to go through the process of filling this position again after a short time. HR won't want to do that.
2.) You won't be happy with the salary that they are able to pay for the position. After getting some time on the job you may look for a better paying position, putting HR back in the role of filling your current job.
3.) They simply don't need (and may not want) someone with your advanced skill set. Being more qualified than the person you report to is an issue for some managers (and for some employees).
4.) You may not fit in with others in the organization if you're the only one who has a Ph.D.
Note that I didn't say that I agree with any of the above, but that these are the things that many employers may be concerned about in hiring a Ph.D. Unless the job description specifically requires a Ph.D., more often than not the candidate with the bachelor's degree or the master's degree will win out, as confirmed in the case of TomDOT.
The Ph.D. degree can become useful later on in your career as you advance up the corporate chain. Many advanced positions may even require it as a minimum credential. But it can be a distinct disadvantage having it at a relatively young age. You may be better served earning a Master's degree instead if you decide to stay in industry. My 2 cents.
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: PhD through a company?
Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC
RE: PhD through a company?
I'm kind of hoping that I could maybe do it in the automotive industry. I think researching which universities have collaborations with company's as mentioned by MintJulep is a good idea. But apart from that it's proving hard to make steps towards this.
As far as the PhD disadvantages goes, one of the reasons why I wanted to do it was so I COULD actually do something highly technical at some point in my life. For me, doing this is beyond just 'having a job' to provide a means to an ends. I'm also 1 year out of university and don't have a family. I'm finding that I enjoy reading technical things, and even do it in my spare time after work or on weekends anyway.
In addition, I think I would rather take longer to do the PhD and still get some sort of remuneration by working for said company than basically be a broke student again for a couple of years. Not sure how much bargaining power I have here but again, if such an avenue is available I'd like to think I maximized my chances of getting it.
RE: PhD through a company?
Frankly in the automotive industry these days I don't rate your chances for well paid blue sky research at a university. It does happen, but I think the bleeding edge stuff is behind closed doors.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: PhD through a company?
RE: PhD through a company?
I don't want to dissuade you from reaching for what you want in terms of your education. But you asked for the downside, and I'm providing you with my perspective in the most objective way that I am able to.
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: PhD through a company?
I probably shouldn't of expected anyone to say that it would be easy. By a 'couple of years' I meant more around the 3-5 year mark though. I'm not completely discouraged yet though.
RE: PhD through a company?
I got a MS from Pitt while working full time at PPG Industries. It took me about 4 years to complete it. Some semesters I couldn't register due to work. I ended up having to really bust it the last year, which meant taking two courses during the summer, too, to complete it. It was a lot of work but I really enjoyed it. The job was very stressful so the master's program was a bright spot in my life.
I still think about getting a doctorate now and then but since I'm nearing old age, that doesn't make sense. If you have a strong desire to do it, do it. Find a prof doing research in areas that interest you and pursue that school and him/her with gusto.
Too many of us treat school as a means to an end thus end up in misery for most of our working years. It isn't about a job and being a warm body with a number in Corporate America. It's about pursuing your life's dreams and only you can do that.
Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC