Lost in my career path in Computer Science / PhD?

Question

I live in a small town with a limited job market.
After getting my Master's degree in Computer Science, I have been working in software engineering industry as a technical writer (clearly not my dream job) for two years.

Last year I left my job for the opportunity to study abroad: it was one-year non-degree exchange program. I had a right to participate in it because I was registered as a PhD student in my home university.

So I've finished that program and returned home. Now I'm not sure what to do:

1. Finish my PhD in my home university. It seems too complicated with my current adviser (and research topic). And it's impossible to find a postdoc in my hometown.

2. Apply for a PhD in a more recognized university / in a big city. I am actually trying to do that. The situation is that I was already enrolled as a PhD student: is it a complication?

3. Find a job as a programmer (it looks more like a dream job for me). I can only apply for junior positions. So it may be ridiculous to work as a junior programmer in my age (thinking of my classmates who already have several years of experience and would probably work at the same company).

4. Find a telecommuting job / freelance online. For that type of jobs, I would need experience, too.

5. I can't move into another town without having a guaranteed job or scholarship.

What would you recommend?

Answer 1

1. You don't need to do your postdoc in the same place as you did your PhD. Actually, it's highly unusual to do that. Also, postdocs are relatively rare in computer science, except for this past year because of the economy. So, you could stay at your home university but get a postdoc elsewhere.



2. It is not a problem that you were already enrolled. It is normal for students to switch programs between master's and PhD, although you should be aware that your coursework is likely to not transfer over entirely.



5. Almost all CS programs will offer you complete funding as long as you can get accepted. Typically the department will fund you for one year, then you find an advisor and your advisor will fund you for the rest of your time there.



Also, that other poster is wrong. Getting a PhD in computer science is different from other fields. It is viewed as a practical working degree. It won't help you get an entry-level programming job, but there are many industry jobs for people with CS PhDs... Intel, Microsoft, Google, IBM, etc. all hire many CS PhDs, both as programmers and as researchers. Just make sure you don't get "soft" in your program, stick to a systems-oriented thesis topic where you do a lot of programming.

Answer 2

I recommend if you really want to work that you start working now. Take an entry level job and you'll likely get underpaid for your skills. But that gets your experience started. A PhD really won't help your career unless you plan to stay in academia. Getting a PhD with zero work experience makes you even more overqualified for an entry-level position.



You can also look at starting in QA or something else. You might want to check out JobTitled. It provides career path statistics that should make the decision easier. Try http://jobtitled.com/Programmer or http://jobtitled.com/degree/Masters_Computer_Science

Answer 3

Consider Software Engineering