Today, I share some ideas and taboos about shifting disciplines or changing branches. I did my master's and undergraduate in Aerospace Engineering, but I'll be pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics (specifically Astronomy and Astrophysics). Well, not such a big jump in comparison to an Engineer switching to Stand-up Comedy / Acting (something replete in the Indian scenario) or someone like Shrikant Jichkar, but still something considerable so far as academics is concerned.
Why do I call it the millennial's dilemma?
To be honest, our generation has a plethora of choices. Our parents did not have the same. They had to work hard for their roti-kapda-makaan (bread-clothing-housing) and also take care of their family from a young age. Not to turn a blind eye to a large section of the Indian society who still have to fight for the basics, but a raw comparison between the previous and current generations, demarcated by the discovery of computers and the technology boom, brings up the struggle-contrast in plain light. We do have our struggles too, but they are different.
With burgeoning choices in terms of profession, alternative job opportunities, and the urge to do something different, millennials naturally have a problem deciding what we want to do in life. There is an ample amount of resources, close-to-nil responsibilities, and enough time for one to explore several areas and get an idea of what might be suitable — often leading to confusion. So, it is very natural, and you are not the only one.
A brief history of my journey
I joined Engineering at IIESTS after my parents discarded the idea of me becoming a Violin teacher as not-so-stable in the then rather orthodox social setting. But soon I knew that I wasn't interested in technology so much after all. The traditional courses of Aerospace Engineering — Fluid and Solid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, etc. — made me wonder about the parallel applications of the same in natural phenomena rather than sticking to the context of air and spacecrafts. When I came to know that people use Computational Fluid Dynamics even in Astrophysics, I wanted to shift to Physics for my Masters.
However, that was not possible. One has to appear for JAM in India. Engineering graduates, on the other hand, are better equipped for GATE. After clearing the latter, I tried finding groups in Engineering departments all over the country who did something similar to Astrophysics. I joined IITK with a group working on rubble-pile asteroids and Saturn's rings. Through my Masters thesis, my interests metamorphosed and I came to learn about new aspects of mathematics and science. Finally, I could make the transition to Physics for my Ph.D., which is to begin in September 2021.
Therefore, by the principle of logical induction, if it is possible for me, it is possible for everybody!
You'll not be hired anywhere! Wrong!
Today, I have had several people, especially juniors, asking me whether a switch is possible to a faintly related field. With the growth of interdisciplinary science and employability across a wide range of jobs, I think it is no longer a big deal as it may have been ten years ago. I am pretty much sure that one can segue their way into any other field provided there is sustained interest.
Many will say that switching makes it difficult to get hired. Well, that may be true in certain cases. One who has a wealth of knowledge in a particular field developed through years of experience will naturally be a better candidate. But this does not mean that one who has shifted fields will have no value. Remember that in the end, one is evaluated based on what one knows and has done to prove that knowledge. I have heard of Physicists and Mathematicians being hired by Banks and Corporate Services, which clearly doesn't make much sense to the layman, but I guess you can understand why.
In my opinion, Indian academics is still a little opaque towards interdisciplinarity when it comes to hiring, but a lot has changed and I am hopeful of more changes in the future.
Applying for a Ph.D.
In all, I have applied for a Ph.D. to 10 universities over three years following my bachelor's and have been able to convert just one application into an offer of admission. Therefore, I have had nine failures — nothing to be proud of, I know, but it is said that the greater the number of failures, the more you know about how things don't work.
The caveat is that I applied mostly to highly competitive universities. There are numerous competitive research groups in India and a successful academic career relies only on one's knowledge and publications, not a foreign Ph.D.
A few points which I think may be useful before and while applying:
- Start researching a year and a half earlier — lab groups, professors, universities, deadlines, requirements, eligibility, and everything else. Maintain a sheet to organise your applications, email addresses, passwords, and specific information.
- The statement of purpose is one of the most important aspects of your application. I recommend going through this article before starting to write yours. Unfortunately, I came across this after I had submitted all my applications.
- Write the SOP to the point and succinctly. Do not make a huge story to derive your motivation. Elaborate on points from your CV even if people suggest you not to repeat them. Use phrases like "Through this, I learnt not only … but also …". If you have a good CV, make sure you point out your achievements properly. Your personal life and struggles are none of their concern (blatant truth). The SOP that got me through was the one that had the least deviation from my CV.
- Letters of recommendation: wonders happen when the review committee has someone who knows at least one of your recommenders. Take recommendations from people who can say great things about you. The stature of your recommender does NOT matter much.
- Make sure the LORs are lined up or partially support the claims made in the SOP.
- It helps to email professors. There are plenty of snobbish people, but there are really great and helpful ones too! Start emailing around July if applications open in September.
- Approach professors you have cited frequently in your work, or their co-authors. Networking is really important.
- Have publications. A draft submission works too, to an extent. Otherwise, conference proceedings are good.
- "The only way you can make sure you don't get into Harvard or MIT is by not applying to them." Apply to top universities! But also apply to safes and moderates in fair proportions.
- Don't be disheartened if you don't get your dream university or the best group. I tried thrice.
All the best with your application! In the end, if you really want something, the Universe does conspire to give it to you — be it a dream Ph.D. or a shift of discipline!