======= Date Modified 26 Mar 2012 22:48:36 =======
Hi to all,

Is it worth going for a PhD when you are 29?
Well the thing is. I already have Dipl. -Ing from Russia, which is five years engineering degree, in my case mechanical engineering. Then I completed MSc. degree at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. I’m nearly 30 and thinking about my future prospective.
I actually have an unconditional offer from Imperial College London to study towards PhD in Aerospace Engineering.
Is it worth going in my age, spending perhaps 4-5 years with blurred future prospective? I’ve heard a lot about “under experienced but overqualified accuse” and I know that is at least partially true. I’m afraid that after spending many years in academia I will become a kind of nerd. I don’t think I want to be in academia for long period. Money is also important.
Any ideas?

Regards,

Ivan

I've answered 'Maybe'.

If age is the only factor, then that shouldn't put you off. I was 30 when I went for it and there's plenty others here that went for it 30 plus.

However, I opted to do it after a six year period in the real world after Masters. One thing you lack is real world experience.

That said the PhD is Aerospace Engineering and I'd imagine that being a selling point in your resume / CV, by which you could probably follow a Research-based career within Aerospace after. The chance of the right PhD doesn;t necessarily come up for everyone and you need to decide if the PhD is right for you and whether or not you can pass it up.

I prepared a blog a good few years ago to help prospective students understand what a PhD is and what I say in the blog still holds true. It's at:


http://www.wearthesis.talktalk.net


I hope that's of help to you. Whatever you choose to do, be aware it's going to be hard work.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)