What can you do with a Ph.D in computer science?

[deathbow2134]

With a Ph.D, you can get jobs at research firms...?

Are there alot of jobs for these people? How bad is the competition?

[Tony]

I think this might largely depend on the thesis of your Ph.D.

[jernst]

From what I've been hearing its quite competitive. I have been reading alot and talking to many professors / researchers since I am likely going to start my phd this fall. If you want to be a professor, you need to be one of the best in your field, publish alot of good papers in well known journals and conference etc. You will likely be competing for positions against 50-100 people or more so you need to be the best out of them. In terms of industry I'm not sure if its more or less competitive since I've talked to less of these people than those heading toward academia but I imagine its fairly similar.

Some people have said that if money is your goal, the masters degree is the best "bang for your buck" in that it doesn't take too long to finish, and it prepares you for research. With the amount of time you spend doing a phd you will likely never make up the money you spent despite earning a bit more money per year.

I've also heard that research jobs are some of the first jobs to go when the economy isn't good (like now) so that might be something to consider as well.

Despite some of these negatives though, if you are seriously interested in comp sci and research, it will probably be rewarding enough to make up the difference. You get to be in the cutting edge, travel to conferences, meet with other people with great ideas etc.

If you are interested, there is a forum for grad students that I read every once in a while: http://www.phdcomics.com/proceedings/index.php. You can likely ask questions in there and get good answers there as well. (there are many comp sci students but also lots from other disciplines as well)

[jeffgreco13]

Check this out guys... unbelievably smart teammate of mine from last yr. Got his PhD in Comp Sci last year.

http://www.geegees.ca/?q=node/218&sid=17&nid=157