Re: Is this math test too easy?

From: Tim Brauch (RnEeMwOs.pVoEst_at_tbrauch.cNOoSPAMm)
Date: 11/27/04 

Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 05:58:25 GMT

Mxsmanic <mxsmanic@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:gquaq09kinrp37q04an28t01polpl3hbkb@4ax.com:

> Tim Brauch writes:
>
>> Actually, I am making money pursuing my Ph.D.
>
> More than you would make if you weren't?

More than if I was teaching elementary, high school or community college.
And, if you consider the benefits I receive (such as tuition and fees,
insurance, books, and travel stipends for professional conferences),
probably more than I would make if I wasn't going on for an education.

For example, my roommate is an investment banker, in his 3rd year of it,
for a regional bank. My yearly stipend is about the same as his salary.
It's hard to truly compare, I bring home more money each month because I
don't have to pay social security, but I don't have a 401(k). Then again,
he gets commission bonuses, if he makes a sale. And, add to it that he is
paying interest on his student loans as he pays them off right now while I
can pay them off interest-free since I am still a full-time student. The
best thing, though, he works over 40 hours a week; I take 9 hours of
classes each week.

>
>> As far as I know, most sciences
>> (ab)use graduate students to do the work that no professor wants to do,
>> such as teaching remedial courses, or grading tests.
>
> How does this benefit the graduate students?
>

It provides them with income. And they also get an education. Eventually
they can become researchers. Maybe even publish an internet video for a
class. However, if they don't have income (and tuition scholarships), most
probably couldn't afford grad school and there would be no new Ph.D.'s.

 - Tim 

-- 
Timothy M. Brauch
NSF Fellow
Department of Mathematics
University of Louisville
email is:
news (dot) post (at) tbrauch (dot) com