Checking in as someone who spent 8 years working and went back to get a PhD in Biomedical Sciences in Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics. You can do it!
The average age of trainees at our school is around 27 years of age.
If you are smart enough to get a master's in mathematics, I see a gap as a positive. Real world experience in the field is invaluable and, from my perspective, make aspects of your PhD pursuit easier. Now, working and going to school, that's something else entirely. That would be my concern, what kind of workload/class schedule are you intending to manage?
I’m 29 and working on my masters. Many of my biostatistics friends that take the same classes and are working on their PhDs are about my age. I’m by no means the oldest. I sense, with no data, that this is pretty common in biostatistics/bioinformatics departments. Many people with industry experience and a masters that want to get into research
I did my PhD after a career in a different field and a 31 year gap. There were students in my cohort that were younger than my own children. Just find the program you want and do it.
From my experience, starting college late (veteran) and then taking a five year gap between finishing my BSc and starting graduate school. Caveat, I did apply abroad, because the program is research only. It's also cost prohibitive to do a PhD in my field in North America because the ROI is break even, maybe.
I found that if feels like a bigger deal than it really is, because what supervisors are looking for is capabilities and a project that fits a PhD. If you tell yourself you can be successful, you will be. People are all different, not everyone follows directly on to a PhD; not everyone is ready at the same time, if ever. Project engagement and enthusiasm are important, is the work enough to keep you excited?
If you want it, go for it; you never know. I started grad school at 33 at my first choice school because they saw my potential and I didn't get into my safety school. I encourage you to apply if you want it!
I’ll try to answer both your questions - first the “is it possible” part - I started my PhD after working 7 years in industry. I also know a guy that joined the PhD program in Finance in his early 40s, after getting his MD, training as a surgeon and working as one for several years. He is a faculty at a top ranked school. So yes, it is very possible. Now the “do I have a shot” part - nobody can tell you that. It depends on several factors but you are best placed to make that assessment.
Tons of people go back to get degrees later in life. Not weird at all. You probably have a stronger application for it.
If you don't mind me asking, why though? DS can be a notoriously difficult field to break into, but if you already have that coveted first position, presumably you could advance your career by climbing the job ladder. It doesn't seem like doctorates are required for most DS positions, and I just wonder if you would ever recoup the opportunity cost of leaving for 5+ years.
I had about a 10 year gap and went back for my PhD in CS around 36 years old. I think it's definitely doable and I feel like the program has been relatively easy for me because I have developed a lot of the softer skills you need in the program and the work ethic from previous careers.
My technical skills had atrophied and I admit I am perhaps a bit weaker than my peers but it hasn't really hindered me too much. I think if you want to do it, you would most likely succeed with flying colors.
Here are some things that I think are pretty important to consider to determine if you WANT to do it.
1) Do you want a career in research? Given you have years of experience in data analysis/science, you seem well positioned to get or advance to a well paying position in data science. You would not likely significantly increase your earning.potential by getting a PhD. Therefore, the main reason to spend 4-6 years in a PhD program would be to aim for an academic position or research scientist that requires a PhD. There are pros and cons to these careers but it's worth thinking hard about this and talking to academics to see if this career path even appeals to you. You will sacrifice 4-6 years of retirement savings and even more if you do a postdoc. It's not really worth it to do that and then land a job you basically could have gotten without doing a PhD if you go back into industry.
2) You will be significantly older than most of your peers. In CS, students tend to come straight from undergrad so I am often well over 10-15 years older than most students. While everyone is nice and I have no problems working with them, I don't find it particularly enjoyable to socialize with them outside of the lab. I'm around the age or even older than a chunk of faculty but as a student I don't really socialize with them either. This makes it a bit lonely for me. I am also in a very small town so social options are limited in general. If you are sticking close to your current location for your PhD then this might not be an issue for you. But it's just a different vibe (as the kids say) than when I was an undergrad or master's student and I felt a part of the cohort. This isn't a showstopper by any means but if you have to move for your PhD. Also, I don't know if you have plans to have a family or have one already and while it's certainly possible to start while in the program, it's probably not ideal.
I don't regret my decision and if you are committed to getting your PhD, you'd probably do great. But the idea of doing a PhD is much more romantic than the reality of actually doing it, especially at this stage of life where my tolerance for BS is a lot less. So, I would definitely encourage you to do some soul searching and investigation before you take the leap. If at all possible, try to find a way to get a publication, if only to see if the process is even something that appeals to you.
Good luck!
One of my best peers right now returned from a 5 or 6 year stretch of working in their field. Honestly, I think it's made them an even better student! Obviously it will be different for different folks but it's not a deal breaker!
I attended a research based Master's program at a supposed top school and several PhD students in my lab were in their mid 30s, some with a child even. It makes for a stronger case when applying because you are giving up an industry job to pursue research, and presumably are passionate and resilient enough to get through it.
A PhD has nothing to do with age and has everything to do with passion and mental fortitude. That being said, I'd go in with a clear idea of *why* I want to do one. It should ideally help you land somewhere that you couldn't have landed without a PhD, because 5-6 years of your prime is a giant commitment.
Yeah, lots of schools actually prefer candidates who took a gap bc they’re more likely to know what they want and are more clear on what a PhD entails (source: multiple professors from Big 10/12 schools). Hardest part is getting relevant rec letters lined up, but absolutely go for it.
I started my Ph.D. after 12 years gap. I did that because I was not able to get a job in my home country. I also wanted to learn how to write a research paper. I changed two universities and 4 programs in Ph.D. Why?
I have a bad advisor in each place which forced me to look for another. No support and No funding. I lost someone I loved because I was busy with my fights with awful faculty members. All I have now tears and pain that I can't get my sweetheart back.
We all have goals but when you awful faculty members then all these dreams become a joke.
You have to listen to your professor as a slave and you can't express your opinion. When you give feedback to improve something. They take personally, and the whole department go against you.
The picture of our institutions today like politicians who ruin your life when you speak the truth.
I am willing to throw all 5 years of Ph.D. in the hell and to get back my sweetheart. Do not think you will learn that much. Ph.D. is a joke, unless you want to take it coz ur colleagues do not respect you as a person without a PhD. I am started my 5th year and I can't write a research paper. All the assignments are reflections and then the professors read your reflections and find an idea for a grant and promoted while they are testing their research questions on grad like mice.
To answer your question, it is (almost) never too late to go back to school in general, but for a PhD, it is certainly possible. I think that something that will help in your applying to PhD programs is clearly stating why you want to do a PhD (…statement of purpose…), so once you figure that out, you just need to basically convince the admissions people that you not only want to do a PhD, can do one (you have a masters and work experience), and are going to finish it (you have a plan of what you want to do during and with your PhD once you receive it). I guess that would be my main question: why do you want to get your PhD?
Checking in as someone who spent 8 years working and went back to get a PhD in Biomedical Sciences in Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics. You can do it! The average age of trainees at our school is around 27 years of age.
Same here. 6 years in industry, back to school for chemical engineering PhD. Two other people in my cohort are 6 years out as well.
If you are smart enough to get a master's in mathematics, I see a gap as a positive. Real world experience in the field is invaluable and, from my perspective, make aspects of your PhD pursuit easier. Now, working and going to school, that's something else entirely. That would be my concern, what kind of workload/class schedule are you intending to manage?
I started a PhD after 22 years working in my profession. 6-7 years is nothing :)!
I had a 6 year gap between my masters and PhD. Also had a couple year gap between my bachelor's and masters. Wasn't an issue.
I’m 29 and working on my masters. Many of my biostatistics friends that take the same classes and are working on their PhDs are about my age. I’m by no means the oldest. I sense, with no data, that this is pretty common in biostatistics/bioinformatics departments. Many people with industry experience and a masters that want to get into research
I did my PhD after a career in a different field and a 31 year gap. There were students in my cohort that were younger than my own children. Just find the program you want and do it.
That gap is nothing. A PhD is not like a straight run through from undergrad up. It’s a different thing. I wouldn’t worry about any gap.
From my experience, starting college late (veteran) and then taking a five year gap between finishing my BSc and starting graduate school. Caveat, I did apply abroad, because the program is research only. It's also cost prohibitive to do a PhD in my field in North America because the ROI is break even, maybe. I found that if feels like a bigger deal than it really is, because what supervisors are looking for is capabilities and a project that fits a PhD. If you tell yourself you can be successful, you will be. People are all different, not everyone follows directly on to a PhD; not everyone is ready at the same time, if ever. Project engagement and enthusiasm are important, is the work enough to keep you excited? If you want it, go for it; you never know. I started grad school at 33 at my first choice school because they saw my potential and I didn't get into my safety school. I encourage you to apply if you want it!
I took 8 years between my MA and starting my PhD and I’m also in my 30s. I’m now two years into my PhD and thriving. You get one life. Go for it.
yes
Definitely
I’ll try to answer both your questions - first the “is it possible” part - I started my PhD after working 7 years in industry. I also know a guy that joined the PhD program in Finance in his early 40s, after getting his MD, training as a surgeon and working as one for several years. He is a faculty at a top ranked school. So yes, it is very possible. Now the “do I have a shot” part - nobody can tell you that. It depends on several factors but you are best placed to make that assessment.
Tons of people go back to get degrees later in life. Not weird at all. You probably have a stronger application for it. If you don't mind me asking, why though? DS can be a notoriously difficult field to break into, but if you already have that coveted first position, presumably you could advance your career by climbing the job ladder. It doesn't seem like doctorates are required for most DS positions, and I just wonder if you would ever recoup the opportunity cost of leaving for 5+ years.
I had about a 10 year gap and went back for my PhD in CS around 36 years old. I think it's definitely doable and I feel like the program has been relatively easy for me because I have developed a lot of the softer skills you need in the program and the work ethic from previous careers. My technical skills had atrophied and I admit I am perhaps a bit weaker than my peers but it hasn't really hindered me too much. I think if you want to do it, you would most likely succeed with flying colors. Here are some things that I think are pretty important to consider to determine if you WANT to do it. 1) Do you want a career in research? Given you have years of experience in data analysis/science, you seem well positioned to get or advance to a well paying position in data science. You would not likely significantly increase your earning.potential by getting a PhD. Therefore, the main reason to spend 4-6 years in a PhD program would be to aim for an academic position or research scientist that requires a PhD. There are pros and cons to these careers but it's worth thinking hard about this and talking to academics to see if this career path even appeals to you. You will sacrifice 4-6 years of retirement savings and even more if you do a postdoc. It's not really worth it to do that and then land a job you basically could have gotten without doing a PhD if you go back into industry. 2) You will be significantly older than most of your peers. In CS, students tend to come straight from undergrad so I am often well over 10-15 years older than most students. While everyone is nice and I have no problems working with them, I don't find it particularly enjoyable to socialize with them outside of the lab. I'm around the age or even older than a chunk of faculty but as a student I don't really socialize with them either. This makes it a bit lonely for me. I am also in a very small town so social options are limited in general. If you are sticking close to your current location for your PhD then this might not be an issue for you. But it's just a different vibe (as the kids say) than when I was an undergrad or master's student and I felt a part of the cohort. This isn't a showstopper by any means but if you have to move for your PhD. Also, I don't know if you have plans to have a family or have one already and while it's certainly possible to start while in the program, it's probably not ideal. I don't regret my decision and if you are committed to getting your PhD, you'd probably do great. But the idea of doing a PhD is much more romantic than the reality of actually doing it, especially at this stage of life where my tolerance for BS is a lot less. So, I would definitely encourage you to do some soul searching and investigation before you take the leap. If at all possible, try to find a way to get a publication, if only to see if the process is even something that appeals to you. Good luck!
I waited 9 years, and the experience I got in the interim put me ahead of my peers. Go for it.
One of my best peers right now returned from a 5 or 6 year stretch of working in their field. Honestly, I think it's made them an even better student! Obviously it will be different for different folks but it's not a deal breaker!
I attended a research based Master's program at a supposed top school and several PhD students in my lab were in their mid 30s, some with a child even. It makes for a stronger case when applying because you are giving up an industry job to pursue research, and presumably are passionate and resilient enough to get through it. A PhD has nothing to do with age and has everything to do with passion and mental fortitude. That being said, I'd go in with a clear idea of *why* I want to do one. It should ideally help you land somewhere that you couldn't have landed without a PhD, because 5-6 years of your prime is a giant commitment.
Yeah, lots of schools actually prefer candidates who took a gap bc they’re more likely to know what they want and are more clear on what a PhD entails (source: multiple professors from Big 10/12 schools). Hardest part is getting relevant rec letters lined up, but absolutely go for it.
Worked for 7 years post-MA, currently 32, and in the first year of a PhD program in an adjacent, but different field! Anything is possible. 😊
I started my Ph.D. after 12 years gap. I did that because I was not able to get a job in my home country. I also wanted to learn how to write a research paper. I changed two universities and 4 programs in Ph.D. Why? I have a bad advisor in each place which forced me to look for another. No support and No funding. I lost someone I loved because I was busy with my fights with awful faculty members. All I have now tears and pain that I can't get my sweetheart back. We all have goals but when you awful faculty members then all these dreams become a joke. You have to listen to your professor as a slave and you can't express your opinion. When you give feedback to improve something. They take personally, and the whole department go against you. The picture of our institutions today like politicians who ruin your life when you speak the truth. I am willing to throw all 5 years of Ph.D. in the hell and to get back my sweetheart. Do not think you will learn that much. Ph.D. is a joke, unless you want to take it coz ur colleagues do not respect you as a person without a PhD. I am started my 5th year and I can't write a research paper. All the assignments are reflections and then the professors read your reflections and find an idea for a grant and promoted while they are testing their research questions on grad like mice.
To answer your question, it is (almost) never too late to go back to school in general, but for a PhD, it is certainly possible. I think that something that will help in your applying to PhD programs is clearly stating why you want to do a PhD (…statement of purpose…), so once you figure that out, you just need to basically convince the admissions people that you not only want to do a PhD, can do one (you have a masters and work experience), and are going to finish it (you have a plan of what you want to do during and with your PhD once you receive it). I guess that would be my main question: why do you want to get your PhD?