I know it’s in vogue to claim that grad students have shit benefits because they are paid terribly, but I do have to push back on that.
For one, the main benefit of a funded Ph.D. is that you don’t pay tuition. That’s a huge benefit that can total $40k or more per year before candidacy.
Secondly, you (should) get to travel and present your research around the world for free. During my Ph.D. I got to present our work in Portugal, Chicago, and Japan, all expenses paid. That’s not nothing for a young aspiring researcher, and not something my friends in industry got to do at 24.
Also, one thing that a lot of people don't know is that grad students in the USA don't have to pay FICA taxes on their stipends or their tuition remission. That also has to be figured in when comparing compensation.
For one, the main benefit of a funded Ph.D. is that you don’t pay tuition. That’s a huge benefit that can total $40k or more per year before candidacy.
Secondly, you (should) get to travel and present your research around the world for free. During my Ph.D. I got to present our work in Portugal, Chicago, and Japan, all expenses paid. That’s not nothing for a young aspiring researcher, and not something my friends in industry got to do at 24.
Also, one thing that a lot of people don't know is that grad students in the USA don't have to pay FICA taxes on their stipends or their tuition remission. That also has to be figured in when comparing compensation.