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Comment by RJhKTcQMgG | Hacker News Reader

As a note, it is possible to be in a Ph.D. program and not be an employee of the University, at least in the US. Being on a grad student stipend is usually a choice. Advisors are treating you like that because you allow yourself to be treated like that.

Yes, I have a PhD. Yes, I paid my own graduate school tuition. Yes, I had a successful career in ML.

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I used the term grad stipend loosely, I was on various scholarships that meant I was not technically an employee or dependent on funding from my adviser. Did not make a difference at all.

Where you are right is that I did allow myself to be treated like that. I could have quite any time, of course.

Sorry you felt being abused or quitting were the only options. Strikes me as a false dichotomy, but, hey, don't know the particulars of your unique situation. But for others out there: your skill are highly valuable, others will pay for them, your advisor needs people with your skills, you have leverage. At least, try speaking up for yourself. Hell, organize. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_student_employee_unio...

I stuck it out trying to fix bad culture for a year last year. My mom had good advice: it’s really hard to change an established culture, impossible without support from the top.

I learned a lot being a squeaky wheel, but I didn’t change the culture in any meaningful way beyond getting us a lunch room.

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