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How to combat a lack of a PhD at workplace?
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So, I was recently hired by a startup that's working on computer vision. Unfortunately, my boss doesn't trust me very much because I don't have a PHD in computer vision (he's a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless). Is there a way to combat this without having to spend another 4 years in school? Am I ever going to gain enough of his trust to actually be allowed to do some of the cool stuff or will I be stuck doing the boring stuff forever? Anyone have any advice for me?
new-job manager degree
edited 34 secs ago
David K
21.4k1276111
asked 2 hours ago
Houman Azemati
595
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
So, I was recently hired by a startup that's working on computer vision. Unfortunately, my boss doesn't trust me very much because I don't have a PHD in computer vision (he's a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless). Is there a way to combat this without having to spend another 4 years in school? Am I ever going to gain enough of his trust to actually be allowed to do some of the cool stuff or will I be stuck doing the boring stuff forever? Anyone have any advice for me?
new-job manager degree
edited 34 secs ago
David K
21.4k1276111
asked 2 hours ago
Houman Azemati
595
4
I wouldn't say degrees in any fields are useless. I think that outlook speaks volumes. Is it possible he just doesn't trust you (regardless of your level of education)?
– SaggingRufus
1 hour ago
3
I work in edtech specifically for computer science education. Computer Vision is one of those areas where a graduate degree is helpful, because it's a specialized field of Artificial Intelligence (i.e. you don't typically get a lot of exposure to the topic as an undergraduate).
– jcmack
1 hour ago
"he's a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless" - this is confusing. You think computer science degrees are next to worthless?
– Joe Strazzere
50 mins ago
The title says 'lack of Masters degree', but in the body it seems that the issue is a 'lack of a PhD'. I think you should clarify which it is, as a Masters and a PhD are generally not the same thing.
– Time4Tea
35 mins ago
1
How do you know that it's because of the 'lack of a PhD' that he doesn't trust you? Has he said this directly?
– Time4Tea
34 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
So, I was recently hired by a startup that's working on computer vision. Unfortunately, my boss doesn't trust me very much because I don't have a PHD in computer vision (he's a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless). Is there a way to combat this without having to spend another 4 years in school? Am I ever going to gain enough of his trust to actually be allowed to do some of the cool stuff or will I be stuck doing the boring stuff forever? Anyone have any advice for me?
new-job manager degree
edited 34 secs ago
David K
21.4k1276111
asked 2 hours ago
Houman Azemati
595
So, I was recently hired by a startup that's working on computer vision. Unfortunately, my boss doesn't trust me very much because I don't have a PHD in computer vision (he's a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless). Is there a way to combat this without having to spend another 4 years in school? Am I ever going to gain enough of his trust to actually be allowed to do some of the cool stuff or will I be stuck doing the boring stuff forever? Anyone have any advice for me?
new-job manager degree
new-job manager degree
edited 34 secs ago
David K
21.4k1276111
asked 2 hours ago
Houman Azemati
595
edited 34 secs ago
David K
21.4k1276111
asked 2 hours ago
Houman Azemati
595
edited 34 secs ago
David K
21.4k1276111
edited 34 secs ago
David K
21.4k1276111
edited 34 secs ago
David K
21.4k1276111
21.4k1276111
asked 2 hours ago
Houman Azemati
595
asked 2 hours ago
Houman Azemati
595
asked 2 hours ago
Houman Azemati
595
595
4
I wouldn't say degrees in any fields are useless. I think that outlook speaks volumes. Is it possible he just doesn't trust you (regardless of your level of education)?
– SaggingRufus
1 hour ago
3
I work in edtech specifically for computer science education. Computer Vision is one of those areas where a graduate degree is helpful, because it's a specialized field of Artificial Intelligence (i.e. you don't typically get a lot of exposure to the topic as an undergraduate).
– jcmack
1 hour ago
"he's a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless" - this is confusing. You think computer science degrees are next to worthless?
– Joe Strazzere
50 mins ago
The title says 'lack of Masters degree', but in the body it seems that the issue is a 'lack of a PhD'. I think you should clarify which it is, as a Masters and a PhD are generally not the same thing.
– Time4Tea
35 mins ago
1
How do you know that it's because of the 'lack of a PhD' that he doesn't trust you? Has he said this directly?
– Time4Tea
34 mins ago
add a comment |Â
4
I wouldn't say degrees in any fields are useless. I think that outlook speaks volumes. Is it possible he just doesn't trust you (regardless of your level of education)?
– SaggingRufus
1 hour ago
3
I work in edtech specifically for computer science education. Computer Vision is one of those areas where a graduate degree is helpful, because it's a specialized field of Artificial Intelligence (i.e. you don't typically get a lot of exposure to the topic as an undergraduate).
– jcmack
1 hour ago
"he's a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless" - this is confusing. You think computer science degrees are next to worthless?
– Joe Strazzere
50 mins ago
The title says 'lack of Masters degree', but in the body it seems that the issue is a 'lack of a PhD'. I think you should clarify which it is, as a Masters and a PhD are generally not the same thing.
– Time4Tea
35 mins ago
1
How do you know that it's because of the 'lack of a PhD' that he doesn't trust you? Has he said this directly?
– Time4Tea
34 mins ago
4
4
I wouldn't say degrees in any fields are useless. I think that outlook speaks volumes. Is it possible he just doesn't trust you (regardless of your level of education)?
– SaggingRufus
1 hour ago
I wouldn't say degrees in any fields are useless. I think that outlook speaks volumes. Is it possible he just doesn't trust you (regardless of your level of education)?
– SaggingRufus
1 hour ago
3
3
I work in edtech specifically for computer science education. Computer Vision is one of those areas where a graduate degree is helpful, because it's a specialized field of Artificial Intelligence (i.e. you don't typically get a lot of exposure to the topic as an undergraduate).
– jcmack
1 hour ago
I work in edtech specifically for computer science education. Computer Vision is one of those areas where a graduate degree is helpful, because it's a specialized field of Artificial Intelligence (i.e. you don't typically get a lot of exposure to the topic as an undergraduate).
– jcmack
1 hour ago
"he's a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless" - this is confusing. You think computer science degrees are next to worthless?
– Joe Strazzere
50 mins ago
"he's a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless" - this is confusing. You think computer science degrees are next to worthless?
– Joe Strazzere
50 mins ago
The title says 'lack of Masters degree', but in the body it seems that the issue is a 'lack of a PhD'. I think you should clarify which it is, as a Masters and a PhD are generally not the same thing.
– Time4Tea
35 mins ago
The title says 'lack of Masters degree', but in the body it seems that the issue is a 'lack of a PhD'. I think you should clarify which it is, as a Masters and a PhD are generally not the same thing.
– Time4Tea
35 mins ago
1
1
How do you know that it's because of the 'lack of a PhD' that he doesn't trust you? Has he said this directly?
– Time4Tea
34 mins ago
How do you know that it's because of the 'lack of a PhD' that he doesn't trust you? Has he said this directly?
– Time4Tea
34 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
I don't think your boss cares whether you have PhD.
The company hired you which should indicate some level of trust in your ability. Early stage startup hires have to be vetted by both the hiring manager and a founder and at later stage startups managers have more autonomy. Either way though your manager should have a say in whether you are hired or not. I used to say very bluntly to my direct reports "If I did not believe you could do the work, I would not have hired you."
I was recently hired by a startup that's working on computer vision.
Given that you are a new hire, your manager might be more involved in asking you about your work product. You should feel confident in discussing your work with your manager.
[My boss is] a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless
You seem to dismiss your manager's ability to comprehend your work. He is your manager after all and being able to explain technical topics to non-technical people is an important skill to advancing in your technical career. I would try to talk to your boss, test what level of detail he is comfortable with and slowly gain his trust by producing good work.
answered 2 hours ago
jcmack
5,3921932
I think the OP needs to clarify the situation a bit before we can say for certain whether or not the Manager really cares about the degree.
– Time4Tea
32 mins ago
@Time4Tea Why hire someone if their credential level isn't high enough (assuming that matters to you)?
– jcmack
just now
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
There's almost certainly a lot more to your story than what you're telling us, nor would I dismiss a CS PhD as "worthless". Like most degrees these days, it depends on whether it comes from MIT or "Bob's Online Ph.D. Mill".
By anyway: If you want to prove that you can do cool things in computer vision, then do something cool in computer vision. Build a working application that does more than just import a bunch of libraries, that actually requires some real math. Find a way to show it to the brains at your workplace, and get their feedback. If they like it, show it to your manager.
Job experience is often worth more than a degree, if you can make the most of it -- and remember, just because you aren't valued at one company doesn't mean you won't be valued at some other company. Finding the right work environment for your own skill set is part of the challenge.
answered 1 hour ago
Andrew
29818
1
Good advice and I agree with the 'more to the story' part. I think the OP needs to clarify the situation and why they think the lack of trust from the Manager is because of the lack of a degree.
– Time4Tea
30 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
I don't think your boss cares whether you have PhD.
The company hired you which should indicate some level of trust in your ability. Early stage startup hires have to be vetted by both the hiring manager and a founder and at later stage startups managers have more autonomy. Either way though your manager should have a say in whether you are hired or not. I used to say very bluntly to my direct reports "If I did not believe you could do the work, I would not have hired you."
I was recently hired by a startup that's working on computer vision.
Given that you are a new hire, your manager might be more involved in asking you about your work product. You should feel confident in discussing your work with your manager.
[My boss is] a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless
You seem to dismiss your manager's ability to comprehend your work. He is your manager after all and being able to explain technical topics to non-technical people is an important skill to advancing in your technical career. I would try to talk to your boss, test what level of detail he is comfortable with and slowly gain his trust by producing good work.
answered 2 hours ago
jcmack
5,3921932
I think the OP needs to clarify the situation a bit before we can say for certain whether or not the Manager really cares about the degree.
– Time4Tea
32 mins ago
@Time4Tea Why hire someone if their credential level isn't high enough (assuming that matters to you)?
– jcmack
just now
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
I don't think your boss cares whether you have PhD.
The company hired you which should indicate some level of trust in your ability. Early stage startup hires have to be vetted by both the hiring manager and a founder and at later stage startups managers have more autonomy. Either way though your manager should have a say in whether you are hired or not. I used to say very bluntly to my direct reports "If I did not believe you could do the work, I would not have hired you."
I was recently hired by a startup that's working on computer vision.
Given that you are a new hire, your manager might be more involved in asking you about your work product. You should feel confident in discussing your work with your manager.
[My boss is] a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless
You seem to dismiss your manager's ability to comprehend your work. He is your manager after all and being able to explain technical topics to non-technical people is an important skill to advancing in your technical career. I would try to talk to your boss, test what level of detail he is comfortable with and slowly gain his trust by producing good work.
answered 2 hours ago
jcmack
5,3921932
I think the OP needs to clarify the situation a bit before we can say for certain whether or not the Manager really cares about the degree.
– Time4Tea
32 mins ago
@Time4Tea Why hire someone if their credential level isn't high enough (assuming that matters to you)?
– jcmack
just now
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
I don't think your boss cares whether you have PhD.
The company hired you which should indicate some level of trust in your ability. Early stage startup hires have to be vetted by both the hiring manager and a founder and at later stage startups managers have more autonomy. Either way though your manager should have a say in whether you are hired or not. I used to say very bluntly to my direct reports "If I did not believe you could do the work, I would not have hired you."
I was recently hired by a startup that's working on computer vision.
Given that you are a new hire, your manager might be more involved in asking you about your work product. You should feel confident in discussing your work with your manager.
[My boss is] a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless
You seem to dismiss your manager's ability to comprehend your work. He is your manager after all and being able to explain technical topics to non-technical people is an important skill to advancing in your technical career. I would try to talk to your boss, test what level of detail he is comfortable with and slowly gain his trust by producing good work.
answered 2 hours ago
jcmack
5,3921932
I don't think your boss cares whether you have PhD.
The company hired you which should indicate some level of trust in your ability. Early stage startup hires have to be vetted by both the hiring manager and a founder and at later stage startups managers have more autonomy. Either way though your manager should have a say in whether you are hired or not. I used to say very bluntly to my direct reports "If I did not believe you could do the work, I would not have hired you."
I was recently hired by a startup that's working on computer vision.
Given that you are a new hire, your manager might be more involved in asking you about your work product. You should feel confident in discussing your work with your manager.
[My boss is] a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless
You seem to dismiss your manager's ability to comprehend your work. He is your manager after all and being able to explain technical topics to non-technical people is an important skill to advancing in your technical career. I would try to talk to your boss, test what level of detail he is comfortable with and slowly gain his trust by producing good work.
answered 2 hours ago
jcmack
5,3921932
answered 2 hours ago
jcmack
5,3921932
answered 2 hours ago
jcmack
5,3921932
answered 2 hours ago
jcmack
5,3921932
5,3921932
I think the OP needs to clarify the situation a bit before we can say for certain whether or not the Manager really cares about the degree.
– Time4Tea
32 mins ago
@Time4Tea Why hire someone if their credential level isn't high enough (assuming that matters to you)?
– jcmack
just now
add a comment |Â
I think the OP needs to clarify the situation a bit before we can say for certain whether or not the Manager really cares about the degree.
– Time4Tea
32 mins ago
@Time4Tea Why hire someone if their credential level isn't high enough (assuming that matters to you)?
– jcmack
just now
I think the OP needs to clarify the situation a bit before we can say for certain whether or not the Manager really cares about the degree.
– Time4Tea
32 mins ago
I think the OP needs to clarify the situation a bit before we can say for certain whether or not the Manager really cares about the degree.
– Time4Tea
32 mins ago
@Time4Tea Why hire someone if their credential level isn't high enough (assuming that matters to you)?
– jcmack
just now
@Time4Tea Why hire someone if their credential level isn't high enough (assuming that matters to you)?
– jcmack
just now
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
There's almost certainly a lot more to your story than what you're telling us, nor would I dismiss a CS PhD as "worthless". Like most degrees these days, it depends on whether it comes from MIT or "Bob's Online Ph.D. Mill".
By anyway: If you want to prove that you can do cool things in computer vision, then do something cool in computer vision. Build a working application that does more than just import a bunch of libraries, that actually requires some real math. Find a way to show it to the brains at your workplace, and get their feedback. If they like it, show it to your manager.
Job experience is often worth more than a degree, if you can make the most of it -- and remember, just because you aren't valued at one company doesn't mean you won't be valued at some other company. Finding the right work environment for your own skill set is part of the challenge.
answered 1 hour ago
Andrew
29818
1
Good advice and I agree with the 'more to the story' part. I think the OP needs to clarify the situation and why they think the lack of trust from the Manager is because of the lack of a degree.
– Time4Tea
30 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
There's almost certainly a lot more to your story than what you're telling us, nor would I dismiss a CS PhD as "worthless". Like most degrees these days, it depends on whether it comes from MIT or "Bob's Online Ph.D. Mill".
By anyway: If you want to prove that you can do cool things in computer vision, then do something cool in computer vision. Build a working application that does more than just import a bunch of libraries, that actually requires some real math. Find a way to show it to the brains at your workplace, and get their feedback. If they like it, show it to your manager.
Job experience is often worth more than a degree, if you can make the most of it -- and remember, just because you aren't valued at one company doesn't mean you won't be valued at some other company. Finding the right work environment for your own skill set is part of the challenge.
answered 1 hour ago
Andrew
29818
1
Good advice and I agree with the 'more to the story' part. I think the OP needs to clarify the situation and why they think the lack of trust from the Manager is because of the lack of a degree.
– Time4Tea
30 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
There's almost certainly a lot more to your story than what you're telling us, nor would I dismiss a CS PhD as "worthless". Like most degrees these days, it depends on whether it comes from MIT or "Bob's Online Ph.D. Mill".
By anyway: If you want to prove that you can do cool things in computer vision, then do something cool in computer vision. Build a working application that does more than just import a bunch of libraries, that actually requires some real math. Find a way to show it to the brains at your workplace, and get their feedback. If they like it, show it to your manager.
Job experience is often worth more than a degree, if you can make the most of it -- and remember, just because you aren't valued at one company doesn't mean you won't be valued at some other company. Finding the right work environment for your own skill set is part of the challenge.
answered 1 hour ago
Andrew
29818
There's almost certainly a lot more to your story than what you're telling us, nor would I dismiss a CS PhD as "worthless". Like most degrees these days, it depends on whether it comes from MIT or "Bob's Online Ph.D. Mill".
By anyway: If you want to prove that you can do cool things in computer vision, then do something cool in computer vision. Build a working application that does more than just import a bunch of libraries, that actually requires some real math. Find a way to show it to the brains at your workplace, and get their feedback. If they like it, show it to your manager.
Job experience is often worth more than a degree, if you can make the most of it -- and remember, just because you aren't valued at one company doesn't mean you won't be valued at some other company. Finding the right work environment for your own skill set is part of the challenge.
answered 1 hour ago
Andrew
29818
answered 1 hour ago
Andrew
29818
answered 1 hour ago
Andrew
29818
answered 1 hour ago
Andrew
29818
29818
1
Good advice and I agree with the 'more to the story' part. I think the OP needs to clarify the situation and why they think the lack of trust from the Manager is because of the lack of a degree.
– Time4Tea
30 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
Good advice and I agree with the 'more to the story' part. I think the OP needs to clarify the situation and why they think the lack of trust from the Manager is because of the lack of a degree.
– Time4Tea
30 mins ago
1
1
Good advice and I agree with the 'more to the story' part. I think the OP needs to clarify the situation and why they think the lack of trust from the Manager is because of the lack of a degree.
– Time4Tea
30 mins ago
Good advice and I agree with the 'more to the story' part. I think the OP needs to clarify the situation and why they think the lack of trust from the Manager is because of the lack of a degree.
– Time4Tea
30 mins ago
add a comment |Â
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4
I wouldn't say degrees in any fields are useless. I think that outlook speaks volumes. Is it possible he just doesn't trust you (regardless of your level of education)?
– SaggingRufus
1 hour ago
3
I work in edtech specifically for computer science education. Computer Vision is one of those areas where a graduate degree is helpful, because it's a specialized field of Artificial Intelligence (i.e. you don't typically get a lot of exposure to the topic as an undergraduate).
– jcmack
1 hour ago
"he's a business guy, who has very little understanding of computer science, and doesn't quite understand that degrees in this field are next to worthless" - this is confusing. You think computer science degrees are next to worthless?
– Joe Strazzere
50 mins ago
The title says 'lack of Masters degree', but in the body it seems that the issue is a 'lack of a PhD'. I think you should clarify which it is, as a Masters and a PhD are generally not the same thing.
– Time4Tea
35 mins ago
1
How do you know that it's because of the 'lack of a PhD' that he doesn't trust you? Has he said this directly?
– Time4Tea
34 mins ago