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[D] Machine Learning PhD failure? Navigating the harsh reality of graduating without publications (alien.top)

submitted 1 year ago by Training_Bet_7905@alien.top to c/machinelearning@academy.garden

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Hi ML community,

I'm nearing the end of my three-year PhD journey. Throughout this period, I've dedicated myself to producing a research paper annually, targeting top-tier conferences like ICML, ICLR, and NeurIPS. Despite my efforts and resubmissions, none of my papers made it through. As a result, my publication record consists solely of three manuscripts on arXiv.

My initial post-PhD ambition was to delve deeper into machine learning research at leading tech companies such as Facebook, Google, or Microsoft. However, my applications were turned down, primarily due to the lack of publications in prestigious conferences, which seems to be a crucial criterion for these roles.

Confronted with this setback and the pressing need to manage my finances, I shifted my focus to more traditional industry roles in consulting and finance. I've recently secured a position in quant finance, which, while exciting, means I won't have the bandwidth to revisit and resubmit my research papers.

Reflecting on this journey, I sometimes feel disheartened, questioning the value of my PhD experience, especially when I consider my lack of published work in major machine learning conferences.

I see other PhD students in my field publish 2 papers per year in these top conferences which makes me wonder whether I am a failure? I'm open to any thoughts or advice on my situation.

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[–] Altruistic-Skill8667@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

You should consider yourself blessed the way your life went. Quant finance is maybe the most prestigious thing you can do in the US or any country. The job is interesting and rewarding. In a few years you will be looking DOWN on those machine learning snobs at Google. Now Google wants to be seen for their AI accomplishments but don’t even want to hire suitable specialists like you. Only the top of the crop. What a miserable outlook.

Later, once you made it into a quant trader role at a hedge fund or prop firm, you will get 20-50% of the profits your algos generate. Which can be millions per year. Quant trader is a job where only your performance matters, which is a good thing, not stupid papers that some biased reviewers didn’t like.

Remember: the path of least resistance is always the best. Don’t swim against the stream. Bend with the wind like a Willow tree and you shall stay whole.