ML PhDs Ask: With AI Research Jobs So Competitive, Was the Doctorate Worth It?
Hope999991 · reddit · 2026-11-03
A Reddit user asks fellow ML PhDs whether the doctorate still pays off, given how competitive research roles at Big Tech and AI startups have become and how much luck is involved in landing one. The poster acknowledges a PhD should be about research passion, but after 4-6 years people reasonably expect opportunities beyond what a master's would suffice for. The thread reflects growing career anxiety among research talent as AI job markets tighten.
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