From: ssimmons@convex.com (Steve Simmons)
Subject: >>>> 3 degrees, 1 univ....
Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 13:07:11 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

> 
>        I am presently finishing up my Master's degree in Mechanical
>        Engineering at UNL and conducting a job search.  One of the 
>        options which I am considering, is to continue on with my
>        education and obtain a PhD. Aside from the financial aspects, I
>        have two main concerns about this choice:
>
>        1. I will have already received my B.S. and M.S. degrees from
>        UNL. I would like to continue my education here b/c the facility
>        in which I work has a great deal of opportunity in my field.  I
>        could think of a couple of other institutions which I might like
>        to attend, but I would prefer not to relocate for the
>        incremental benefit they may provide.  I have heard that it is
>        considered "bad form" to complete all three degrees at a single
>        University, is thsi true?
>
>        2. I have not had any experience in "the real world" outside of
>        my research assistanceship. I worry that this may be important
>        before I undertake a PhD program of study.
>
>        I would like to get any input from people on the net as to what
>        their impressions are on these matters.
>
>        FYI: My career goal is to obtain a research position, so I feel
>        that a PhD will be important sometime, I'm just not sure if now
>        is the best time.


	There is an old belief that it is bad to get all three degrees at the 
	same university.  The reasoning is that you are not exposed to as
	many different philosophies as possible.  

	I got both my undergrad and grad degrees at the same univerity
    	(BS and MS) and I found this belief to be fair. However, it is 
	not an absolute truth. 

	That is, I could see that people who came with different undergrad
	degrees came with a different set of tools to solve problems. They
	were taught well in some areas that my faculty may not have had any 
	strong expertise.   Therefore, these students were exposed to two
	(or more) and I was only exposed to one. 

	On the other hand, you need not jump ship... The following are good
	questions to ask...

	1. Do you have a good working relationship with your advisor?  Is 
	he/she knowledgeable?  Do they help push you towards graduation or 
	are they an obstacle?  If you go someplace else, you may find that your
	new advisor is Simon Le Gre. 

	2. Is your research current and interesting to you?  Are you getting
	published?   It is probably more important to have publications than
	it is to have different Universities on your resume.  If you go to 
	a new university, you ARE the bottom man on the totem pole.  When 
	that old rule was adopted, the learning curve built into the newer
	areas of technical research was not existant.  

	Don't forget that rule is common among all PhD students.  

	Thank you. 


						Steve Simmons