If you hold a PhD or are a PhD advisor, what do you think students should learn from their PhDs?

[random_soldier1337]

I mean apart from the obvious that they'll select some research topic and learn about that.

[Sensei]

..learning never ends...

[random_soldier1337]

True but what would be better sooner than later, especially what would be better as an outcome of their doctorate, rather than after it?

[Sensei]

Learning programming computers, if you are not on IT, is good idea IMHO. It can accelerate your work if you will write program that will calculate something fast or automate some repetitive task for you.

Learning to ask for help, advice and working in team. There is proverb "two heads are better than one".

Edited November 5, 2019 by Sensei

[hypervalent_iodine]

The university where I completed my Ph.D. states the following in regards to graduate attributes:

 

Quote

4. Policy Statement

Higher Degrees by Research are of central importance to leading international research universities. Evolving from research doctorates in Germany and the United States, the emphasis has traditionally been on research and scholarship by a candidate that generates new knowledge. While excellence in research activity and outputs continues to be a core element of the HDR, contemporary expectations emphasise the qualities of the graduate. This broadening of scope reflects the view that HDR graduates should be equipped to pursue a wide range of careers. The attributes described below reflect the changing expectations of the HDR. These attributes can be developed while performing discipline-specific research and also via specific research training activities. Through the development of these attributes the University aims to produce graduate researchers who are creative knowledge leaders able to contribute to significantly to their discipline and to the wider community. The process of embedding graduate attributes involves advisory teams, enrolling units and the Graduate School.

5. HDR Attributes

5.1 Disciplinary knowledge and capability

• In-depth, advanced knowledge and understanding of one or more disciplinary area
• Ability to apply theoretical frameworks and research methods in a field or discipline to develop new concepts, formulate research hypotheses or identify new problems and produce original outputs
• Well-developed technical capability that enables collection, synthesis and analysis of data
• Ability to communicate results of research in terms of impact and application of new knowledge
• Ability to make a substantive and independent contribution to knowledge in the discipline and/or formulate and solve problems

5.2 Transferable skills

• Ability to apply original and creative ideas, and analytical and critical thinking skills to generate new knowledge, investigate problems and develop inventive solutions
• Capacity to communicate ideas effectively to a range of audiences inside and outside the field of study or discipline and to the wider community
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others, within a range of teams and contexts, respecting individual roles and responsibilities
• Ability to lead, manage and execute projects within or across disciplines
• Ability to write coherently and convincingly

5.3 Professional Skills

• Developed or developing professional competencies in areas that may include commercialisation and technology transfer, management of intellectual assets, cultural knowledge and cross-cultural communication, entrepreneurship, policy development, research supervision, grant writing and management, and teaching & learning
• Capacity to communicate knowledge for the education of others, which may include teaching and supervision

5.4 Integrity and Ethics

• Clear understanding and practice of the requirements of the responsible conduct of research
• Ability to analyse and describe data and information objectively
• Ability to contribute to open discussion on topics that intersect with disciplinary expertise

 

Though it's covered somewhat under Transferable skills, I would also add that networking or learning how to network is very important, be it within your own institute or beyond. 

[MigL]

I would think the biggest difference is that ,whereas for an undergrad degree a Prof is teaching you about a subject so that you learn the basics, for a graduate degree you are learning about a subject independently ( you do have an 'advisor' ) and develop your own 'tools and skill set'.
IOW a PhD candidate will independently research and learn, to become an expert in a specific subject.

[Mordred]

2 hours ago, MigL said:

IOW a PhD candidate will independently research and learn, to become an expert in a specific subject.

This applies to my feelings as to one of the most valuable lessons provided by some of the PhD'S I have learned from.

 That of self research and diligent in study of a particular subject. Lol funny how my favourite mentors rarely answered a question with a direct answer.

[random_soldier1337]

@hypervalent_iodine

I'm going to try and summarize that. Basically:

1. Competency in chosen field(s)

2. Ability to properly do relevant research.

3. Ability to communicate well.

4. High ethical and moral standards.

[dimreepr]

10 minutes ago, random_soldier1337 said:

@hypervalent_iodine

I'm going to try and summarize that. Basically:

1. Competency in chosen field(s)

2. Ability to properly do relevant research.

3. Ability to communicate well.

4. High ethical and moral standards.

What has 4 got to do with the other 3?

[random_soldier1337]

The point on integrity and ethics in his graduate handbook. Now that I look at it, less of it seems to point towards that.

[CharonY]

12 hours ago, MigL said:

I would think the biggest difference is that ,whereas for an undergrad degree a Prof is teaching you about a subject so that you learn the basics, for a graduate degree you are learning about a subject independently ( you do have an 'advisor' ) and develop your own 'tools and skill set'.
IOW a PhD candidate will independently research and learn, to become an expert in a specific subject.

Technically, an undergrad should learn how to learn (i.e. develop their own learning strategy). Many don't but that is probably beside the point. On the grad level, they do (or learn to) work independently, but their research is rarely truly independent. At minimum the advisor guides the project, though in many cases the involvement is much deeper (depending on the advisor as well as the  student).

What I expect other than the hard technical skills in no particular order :

- deepen reading skills of scientific literature (at undergrad level it is already taught, but usually there is still quite a gap to fill)

- become an expert within a small aspect in their field of research (i.e. knowing all the literature the particular aspect they work on) and be familiar (big picture) with related topics

- learn  to clearly communicate about their research and engage in scientific discussions (oral and written). This also includes documentation of lab work but also general communication skills

- become proficient in scientific reasoning, interpretation of data etc. (could also be considered a technical skill)

- be part of a collaborative and respectful (and diverse) work environment

- become able to develop research question and approaches to address them, including experimental design 

- time management

- self motivation