braddeanqc

Sounds like a good way to go about it. Thanks qwang :)

High School, not enough eh?

Hi all, I was considering doing a PhD in Supply Chain Management but I've been told it's heavily quantitative and most successful candidates have backgrounds in engineering and mathematics. I don't have too much difficulty with maths but I was wondering just how heavily quantitative the field was? Is it manageable for an applicant with a master's in management? Thanks y'all. Brad.

@wittmic: I know I would find the perfect thing south of the border, but I have to restrict myself to PhD programs in Canada. The program looks great though! @myself: Do you think that's because the pay is higher in the private sector? @gc98835: That sounds like a sensible way to go about it. My reasoning was that if I ever fail at finding a job as a professor, I could still be a consultant in MIS. If I still fail at finding a job as a consultant, I could always use my entrepreneurship knowledge to create a new venture from scratch.

@wittmic: Thanks wittmic, but unfortunately Canadian Universities are my only choice at the moment. I wish there was something like that up here. @myself: Yes I realized two days ago that University of Toronto doesn't have a PhD in MIS. My (naive?) reasoning was that by doing a PhD in Entrepreneurship and Technology, I could either teach, be a consultant, or have more knowledge to start my own venture. I know the job market is getting ever more competitive, that's why I'd like to keep my options open by having a PhD in new venture creation and technology. Do you think that's a sound strategy? @gc98835: That sounds like a good way to go about it, thanks! Brad.

Hi guys, Currently a master's student, I'll have to start working on my PhD applications soon. What I'd really like to research during my PhD is how technology (information systems, robotics) can help young entrepreneurs and small businesses be more productive and profitable. This is why I don't know if I should go for a PhD in Strategy (to get a general idea of how to run a small business in general, and how to support the new venture with information systems) or a PhD in Information Systems (to get a deeper understanding of what IS can do for businesses). Common sense tells me I should go for a PhD in MIS, but I wanted to seek some advice from experts. I appreciate your help ;) Brad.

I suppose it's a good thing I'm taking an MSc degree in Management with research methodology and statistics classes then... Thanks a lot guys for your answers, very helpful as usual!

Hey guys, I just read here that in order to get into a business PhD program, "it is necessary to have a good foundation in at least one area outside of business." What do you think?

Makes sense, thanks a lot ;)

Statistics I guess.

I did co-write a paper that was published in a low impact factor journal when I was in undergrad but nothing I would call significant research experience. Do most PhD applicants have prior publications in good journals? Wouldn't my master's thesis be enough?

Thanks a lot guys, I really do appreciate the feedback. I guess I have to focus a lot on my GMAT now. I was checking the PhD program's website this afternoon, but they don't have an alumni/placement section on their website (though they do have one for undergrad and MBA programs). This smells very fishy to me, that's why I'm not considering their offer to go directly to the PhD program.

So should I aim for a PhD in the U.S. if I want to get a job at U of T for instance? For the GMAT yeah it was my first time and I didn't do a prep course but now I'm going to buy a few prep books (I don't know if prep courses are effective and I prefer working on my own).

Hi everyone, I did both my bachelor's and my master's in Canada. Bachelor's: 3.7 GPA Master's: 4.0 GPA Both the universities are in the top 15 in Canada (I don't know how they rank compared to the U.S. ones though). I did both my undergrad and grad school with a concentration in management and my graduate degree is an MSc with a thesis component. GMAT score: 640 (39 quant 39 verbal). Now I have two questions: 1) Should I retake my GMAT if I want to get into a T50 PhD program? 2) The research department of my current university (T15 in Canada) just offered me to apply to a fast-track PhD program in which I would get into right now (without having to do my master's thesis) and with only 1 year of coursework (because they would give me credits for the classes I took at the master's level). Because I've already taken stats and research methodology I would only have to take 4 or 5 PhD classes and then move to the thesis part. I would finish my PhD within 3 years from now vs. 6 years if I continue doing my thesis and get into a regular PhD program. Do you think I should consider this option? Thanks a lot guys, you've always been really helpful.

Thank you guys, your advice is really helpful!

Hi HorsesinVA, I did my bachelor and MSc in Management in Canada. I've heard the North-American programs are somewhat similar so I guess U.S. institutions won't have a hard time assessing my profile will they?

Thanks for the tip ;)

Hey guys, I've been searching for a thread on comparisons between U.S. and Australian PhD programs but I didn't find anything that deals specifically with PhDs in management. I know the basic differences between the two (i.e., Australian PhD programs don't require coursework while the U.S. do). But in terms of reputation and employability, which do you think is best?

Although I'm doing a research-oriented Master's degree, I share some classes with PhD students. I know a 45-year-old guy who's doing pretty well although it wasn't easy for him at first. He went from a 6-figure salary and some free time to a measly stipend without weekends. There's also a pregnant PhD student in my class and she's holding up very well, but she told me it's kind of hard to get adjusted to the PhD pace at first. But you know, I hear that a lot too even at the Master's degree level, but I believe it's just a matter of time-management: I get to watch movies several times a week, I spend time everyday with my girlfriend and I take a full day off each week. If you're very organized, you should have no problem doing a PhD, especially if you're pregnant! I've been told the most efficient PhD students are those who are married and have children. Regarding the stipend... I don't know, the pregnant student told me she's so grateful her husband is there to help her financially so I guess the money can be very tight on a stipend. I wouldn't take a chance unless I could secure a substantial amount of money before getting into a PhD. Hope that helps, Brad.

Thanks man, the management ranking is exactly what I needed! Brad.

I don't know who you are qwang but this is one of the most helpful answers I ever got. Most business professors seem to be clueless when I ask them about their job and how to get there. Thanks heaps! Brad.

It does help a lot, thanks a lot for your answers. What's your source for productivity metrics if I may ask? I know this one Worldwide Rankings - Naveen Jindal School of Management - The University of Texas at Dallas

The main reason why I'm considering doing a PhD is because I love writing research articles. The job seems flexible and allows for a decent work-life balance. I've been reading some posts recently and I noticed many people are disappointed with the professional world even when they're well into the 6 figures.This is the kind of job I don't want to go for, and business research is multidisciplinary by definition so there's a lot of things to explore. However, I understand you're saying that the school I'm getting out of would influence my career opportunities. Do you think school reputation determines job placement more than number of publications? Brad.

Hi guys, I've been doing a bit of research lately about the prospects of becoming a business professor. Some articles tend to say that there's a shortage of business professors looming ahead. Others are saying that while there will be such a shortage, Universities lack the funding to hire profs. Another set of articles noted that the shortage of business professors will be quickly compensated by the currently unemployed business postdocs. What do you think? Brad.