I think your reply is pretty heavily based on deciding between neuroscience PhD and CS PhD, but my guess is >80% likely the best move is to not get a PhD at all.
True! As someone with a PhD, I would probably advise against doing a PhD unless you want to go into academia, you really enjoy research for it’s own sake, or you have a insatiable desire to put “doctor” in front of your name. I don’t know anyone who has completed a PhD without having at least one mental breakdown.
I don’t regret my PhD, but it’s not something to jump into lightly.
One thing to bear in mind is that PhDs can often be completed a bit faster in the UK (sometimes as little as 3 years) than in the US (typically 5 years). The US PhDs often include a couple of years of coursework, whereas UK programs often involve just jumping straight into research, on the assumption that you learned about the field as an undergrad.
I did mine in Australia, which follows the UK model. Finishing in 3 years is possible, but very rare, most people took 4 years. The US model seems entirely too long, but you do end up with more paper publications in the end. (note that paper publications are important for academia and pretty much nowhere else).
I think your reply is pretty heavily based on deciding between neuroscience PhD and CS PhD, but my guess is >80% likely the best move is to not get a PhD at all.
True! As someone with a PhD, I would probably advise against doing a PhD unless you want to go into academia, you really enjoy research for it’s own sake, or you have a insatiable desire to put “doctor” in front of your name. I don’t know anyone who has completed a PhD without having at least one mental breakdown.
I don’t regret my PhD, but it’s not something to jump into lightly.
One thing to bear in mind is that PhDs can often be completed a bit faster in the UK (sometimes as little as 3 years) than in the US (typically 5 years). The US PhDs often include a couple of years of coursework, whereas UK programs often involve just jumping straight into research, on the assumption that you learned about the field as an undergrad.
I did mine in Australia, which follows the UK model. Finishing in 3 years is possible, but very rare, most people took 4 years. The US model seems entirely too long, but you do end up with more paper publications in the end. (note that paper publications are important for academia and pretty much nowhere else).