What is Research? -- My CS Ph.D. Information Session (13 April 2021)

My CS Ph.D. Information Session -- Hosted by UC San Diego Computer Science

More information about getting a Ph.D. in CS is here: HTTP://mycsphd.org

Information about other sessions (past and future) is here: http://mycsphd.org/info-sessions

Questions:
0:00 Introductions
3:20 What is Computer Science Research?
14:45 How do you figure out what area and topic to research?
20:28 What's the difference between research in industry vs. academia?
23:44 How can I tell if research is something I'd like?
28:28 How much freedom do you have in choosing your research topic?
31:49 What is a Ph.D. for besides doing research?
37:02 How to get into Ph.D. with 8 years of work experience but not officially done any research work?
45:15 If we have graduated and are working in industry, any advice on find research experience? Is research within industry comparative to research in academia?
48:47 How do you go about finding advisors at a university that you have never attended? My current university doesn't offer Ph.D.s.
51:03 Everyone says machine learning is where it's at, but I love [another area]. Should I do ML or follow my heart?
55:54 Last words.

MyCSPhd.org collects information about the why and how of getting a Ph.D. in computer science and closely related disciplines.

It was created by professors who advise Ph.D. students and current Ph.D. students. The information should be useful to anyone contemplating a Ph.D. at a university in the United States or Canada. It is a free service of the Computer Science Department at the University of California in San Diego, and it does not promote any particular school.

Our hope is that this information will be useful in deciding whether a Ph.D. is right for you and in guiding you through the application process.