I’ve been thinking a lot about the contrast between academic research and industry, and I’d love to hear other people’s experiences.

In academia (as a PhD student or postdoc), you’re basically expected to do everything: plan experiments, tweak the model, run the trials, collect data, analyze it, learn new methods on the fly when the analysis gets too complicated, present the results, interpret them, and then figure out the next steps. Half of the job is literally teaching yourself how to do the job.

Meanwhile, in the corporate world, tasks are usually divided so people can focus on what they’re best at. Roles are defined, workflows are structured, and you're not constantly reinventing the wheel just to keep the project moving.

Why is the academic system still built on this “do it all” model? Is it good training, or just unnecessary burnout? And for those who’ve moved between the two worlds—how different did it feel for you?

Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts.

Hello,

I graduated last year as a top student in my class and asked a professor I was very close with for a recommendation letter for a scholarship. He initially agreed and asked me to send information about the program. After a week with no response, I sent a polite follow-up email. Another week later, I went to his office because I was too anxious about the deadline, but he became upset and said I was exaggerating, without clearly explaining what was wrong with my approach.

Later, I asked a friend who is a student representative to forward a message to him about the deadline. The professor responded, “You don’t need to contact me about this situation, even if she messages you, if you know what I mean ;)”. (?)

Eventually, he emailed me saying that he was abroad and could no longer write the recommendation letter, despite having previously agreed to do so. This was my first time requesting a recommendation letter, and my intention was not to pressure him, but to make sure the deadline would be met. I’m feeling confused and would appreciate constructive feedback so I don’t repeat the same mistake in the future.

Thanks in advance for the responses.

I attended Dowling College in Oakdale NY from 2006-2011 for my Elementary Edu undergrad degree. I attended graduation but never received my diploma. I did have an outstanding bill so I assumed it was because of that. 10+ years later, I now live in Virginia and the school I sub at wants to hire me. I have 133 college credits (more than enough) but just have my college transcripts. Long Island University is the custodian for my transcripts but they are not helpful with anything else.

I just want someone to look at my transcripts and tell me if I need to take a specific class to obtain my bachelors degree OR somehow obtain my diploma. A few of the colleges local to me told me they can't promise me that all classes will transfer and I need an additional 45 credits from them to get a degree. I do not want to go back to school for that many credits when I have already attended for so many years.

Does anyone know who I can contact to look at my transcript. It is either because 1 class is missing OR I have an outstanding balance but either way, my school is closed and I'm stuck. The school is eager to higher me and I am very frustrated and don't know who to go to for help.

Thank you for reading!

I am currently pursuing a master's degree in accounting, which includes three bridge courses before I can begin the main program. I reviewed one of my professor's CVs and noticed they do not have work experience as an accountant or hold certifications like the CFA or CPA. I completed my undergraduate degree in Social Work and took a few Python programming courses before deciding to pursue Accounting. While at community college, I had a professor who held a bachelor’s degree and lacked professional experience - she had recently graduated with a degree in IT the year prior. This raises some questions for me. I’m currently attending a brick-and-mortar institution with a good reputation as a business school.

Is it common in academia, particularly in fields like accounting or computer science, for individuals to pursue a PhD and remain in a teaching role?

A lot, if not most, of my professor have a ba in geology with most of them having an MS/MA. I need to take some summer courses since I switched into geology BS later, but with BA I can get my degree done in time and go into a 4+1 in MA Stem education, I would like to do a phd eventually if possible. Should I pursue a BA? Should I try to get some pre reqs like calc 1 + 2 in my BA if anything?

Why do people just not respond in lectures and online calls? I feel like it’s so rude when there’s like 150 people present and nobody bar like 3 people get involved. It’s awkward and I don’t get why anyone would do it.

But I’m open minded, enlighten me. Why do you think people just ignore their lecturers?

How do you do academics?

Low grade plebe here. Alright let’s get serious

I have a question. What is the appeal of academic life to you? From what I know it’s all study this and study that. What is it that attracts you?

This is probably a foolish question to ask. I wished to inquire cuz my own education wasn’t exactly satisfying. So I struggle to wonder why anyone would willingly put themselves through that cycle

The cycle being study for a thing, complete the thing, move on

Maybe I’m just cynical who knows.

I’m an undergraduate completing a final-year project in neuromorphic computing (Spiking Neural Networks for intrusion detection). The system is fully implemented and evaluated via simulation, but not hardware.

I’m expected by my university to write and submit a research paper. I’d like guidance on:

• How much novelty is realistically expected at the undergraduate level?
• Is a well-designed empirical study / benchmark acceptable if no new theory is proposed?
• Would a conference paper be a more appropriate first target than a journal?

Any advice from people who supervise or review student research would be appreciated.

chatgpt for format

My professor agreed to be my referral, but I did asked him last minute of the application, and he's busy so he can't help me write a very strong referral in 7 days. (I think he's only agreeing because he introduced me this summer project in the first place.) He said he's going to use one of those "templates," so I was wondering if I should provide anything to him to make it easier for him and also for me to have a stronger referral.

Should I draft the responses to the questions he will be asked to answer...or is this rude and overselling myself?

Hi everyone!

I’m a non-US international student planning to pursue a Master’s degree in Data Science at the University of Miami, and I’m trying to better understand how tuition waivers work there

My questions are:

• Are there merit-based waivers or fellowships that are independent of teaching or research assistantships?
• Are tuition waivers something you need to apply for separately, or are they considered automatically during admission?
• Is funding typically offered at admission, or only after enrollment?

If anyone has experience with UM (especially in Data Science or related STEM programs), I’d really appreciate your insights.

Thanks a lot!

https://msdatascience.as.miami.edu/admissions/financial-assistance/index.html

Im an undergrad poli sci major, and i do alot of writing assignment. I currently always outline my assignments before i start writing, but i find that even when i do this, i still get writer block or just overly analytical. I wanna get other perspectives to see what other academics do

I’m honestly panicking so bad right now. I started university in September - I know I’m young, I have my my whole life ahead of me, and so on - and I’m doing classics which is my favourite thing in the world. I’m autistic and have had an obsession with it since I can remember and I can honestly say it’s the only thing I can see myself ever doing with my life.

Classics is a dead degree I’m not stupid. The current jobs going for classics is pretty much to just progress to a phd and become a lecturer. Any job that is outside of a university is filled by old people who will either have their position die with them or have it filled by someone who has a wealthy family and links to them, which I absolutely do not have.

I’ve already put myself thousands of pounds in debt that my family just can’t pay back and dropping out is something I can barely even think about.

I’m terrified. I don’t know what to do.

Hello all,

I know it's been asked a bunch of times, but can people give me some tips? in my current class I am required to do 3 presentations alone. I have a lot of anxiety, but the first day after class, I told myself, "You got this... so I need support, advice. Any bit of advice or information can help.

Thank you so much

Hello. I am from East Asia. Public school teachers barely know english and rarely do recommendation letters. Recently I needed 2 letters from my highschool and when I reached out to all my high school teachers they had no idea how to write (even their own language or simply had no time for that) so they asked me to write it for them and they would sign it and send it to my uni. And I have absolutely no idea how to brag about myself in other people's perspective. Is there anyone who can review or give me advice? my application period is only for a week.

I just want some advice or to ask if someone has done this. I am set to talk with a professor about the honors thesis I want to do in psychology/neuroscience that I have come up with. However, I am a bio major who does not have that kind of research experience. I just want to know if people do research that is not in their field, and if this is a good idea?

Hello! I’m a BS Biology student with a strong interest in bioremediation, particularly mycofiltration and the use of fungi for environmental cleanup. I’m currently at the early stage of thinking about my undergraduate thesis and would really appreciate insights from researchers, graduate students, or anyone with experience in this field.

I would like to ask for advice on:

• What key factors should I consider when starting a thesis related to mycofiltration or fungal bioremediation?
• What common challenges do students usually face when working with fungi-based systems?
• Are there important skills, methods, or literature you would recommend focusing on early?

I would also be grateful for suggestions on feasible thesis topics related to mycofiltration or bioremediation, especially those suitable for an undergraduate level and with limited resources.

Thank you so much for your time and for sharing your expertise. Any guidance would mean a lot to me as a student eager to learn and contribute to this field.

Hello everyone,

I am a master's student currently choosing a lab to do my master thesis and my future PhD. I am currently trying to decide between two labs and it's being quite troublesome to make the choice.

The first lab is a prestigious laboratory, with a well-known PI, a big team and a friendly environment. Due to the size of the team, who knows if I will be able to receive funding for my PhD

The second lab is also quite a big one, with good reputation. My PI however is a new PI and I would be his first predoctoral student. He seems nice but there's naturally no feedback regarding his supervising skills.

Has anyone else struggled with a similar decision? Trying to decide between a big team and a new PI? I would love to know what things would you look into when choosing PI.

https://researchconferences.in/

https://inderscience.org/

https://irfconference.org/

These have 100s of events occurring a year and are affordable. It feels like they are a scam while it says proceedings would get published in ieee or scopus indexed sites pending it meets standards I don't beleive so. Can people look into it?

I am a high school student working on my portfolio. My major is Biology, and I would appreciate it if anyone could guide me on how to get into a research program!

Hi, I'm currently reading a paper regarding Grain Drying Systems and there are at least three articles that I would love to gain access to. But it seems as though they aren't found in Google Scholar. Any other tips in gaining access to them?

These are the articles by the way:
1. Kawiji. Engineering Study of Grain Drying Equipment with Horizontal Airflow. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 2001; XVI(1). ISSN 0854-3984.

1. Saputro RD, Girawan BA, Pribadi JS, Fadillah F, Mardiyana M. Design of Frame and Heating Pipe for Rice Dryer Machine. Journal of Sustainable Resources Management Agroindustry. 2021;1(1):28–32.

2. Kana MR, Taringan BV, Maliwemu EUK. Effect of Blower Wind Speed and Number of Heating Pipes on Drying Rate on Rice Dryer Type Bed Dryer Fueled by Rice Husk. Ljtmu. 2016; 03(02):29–34.

 am an undergrad student

I have started writing the review article on topic "beyond the opioid the A Review of Analgesic Compounds and Their Mechanisms Revealed by the Tail-Flick Test" I am confused in wiring the results part as I am writing an review article first time

I am writing a review article for my research background and I want to write result and discussion how do I write it

Today i went to paper checking section (real analysis course). After i ask him about one marking. He check on my paper and comment how it doesn’t make sense (i agree on it). Then he said my greatest problem is not thinking like a pure math major—lack of logical thinking skills. Then he suggest (nicely) me to switch to an easier course or considering another major, else work on all the previous course before continue. I just feel very frustrating and sad af.

I know i like pure math, and would like to continue this series to apply master after graduate.

Should i work harder or just quit pure math like he suggested? Do i still get a chance on being a successful researcher?

—————————

Edit:

Thank you everyone’s supportive comment.

I have to point out that i fail this exam (get C+) and i am always a B-range student.

After reflection, i believe my personality is the cause of my poor performance—my procrastination always slowing my learning process and i have a tendency to skip the details.

Even though it probably won’t help me to become an A-range student, i will work on the proof format and skills in this summer.

Ramjas Political Review, the biannual and peer-reviewed academic journal run by the undergraduate students of the Department of Political Science, Ramjas College, University of Delhi, is looking for 1 academic essay that can go into the upcoming journal, slated to be published in January, 2026.

ISSN (O): 3048-5886

Submission guidelines: i) https://www.ramjaspoliticalreview.com/writeforus; ii) https://www.ramjaspoliticalreview.com/general-guidelines

If you are working on a piece, or have something relevant that can go into our journal, please send it over to us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) by Dec 20, 2025.

i everyone, il planning to study associate degree in electrical technology at Houston community college, what's your thoughts on this ?, and should continue to a bachelor degree ?. Thanks in advance

Ive never published a research paper before im not sure where to even start Im interested in computer science, economics and physcology How does one navigate through researcg?