I would like to share some of my experiences about the process of studying for a Ph.D. at the Geohydraulics Research Group, Graduate Institute of Applied Geology, National Central University (NCU). I hope that my insights will be helpful to those who are currently studying or planning to pursue this program.
Note: This is my personal opinion - therefore, it is for reference only and may not apply to everyone. To avoid bias, I encourage you to seek advice from multiple sources to find the right answer for yourself.
Should We Study a PhD?
I believe that pursuing a PhD is worthwhile simply because it sets you apart. Try Googling the keyword "Percentage of Population with PhD", and you'll find that the number fluctuates between 2–3% depending on the source. In other words, there are certain jobs that only 2–3% of people can perform, which also means you have the potential to earn a high income in specialized fields. Of course, luck also plays a significant role in life. For example, if you earn a PhD in nuclear power but your country mainly needs experts in hydropower, you may still struggle to find a job.
However, completing a PhD demonstrates that you have successfully tackled a specific scientific problem and explained it using clear logic and data. This means that the PhD journey equips you with essential problem-solving skills such as systematic thinking, logical reasoning, data analysis, and communication skills. Because of this, I firmly believe that even if you complete a PhD in geology and later decide to open a small shop, you will have a higher chance of success-simply because you've developed the necessary problem-solving mindset
So, if you have the opportunity, study a PhD!
Advisor – Professor Wang
Professor Wang is an extremely serious and dedicated researcher. More importantly, he focuses on training students to become independent researchers-both at the master's and doctoral levels. This means that from developing research ideas to publishing scientific papers, you are expected to take the lead. The professor provides guidance, adjustments, and warnings to keep you on track, but the execution-how you proceed and how long it takes-is entirely up to you.
The results speak for themselves: every master's thesis from this lab is developed into a manuscript, many of which are published in Q1 journals.If you are proactive and curious, this environment will be a great fit for you. However, if you prefer SOP instructions, it may be challenging. So, carefully consider whether this approach suits you before starting.
Personal Meetings – When Do You Need Your Professor the Most?
The moment you feel stuck and unsure about what to do next is when you most need to meet with your professor. I believe many students experience this: when you're struggling and afraid that Professor might scold you, you avoid meeting them. But the more you try to push through alone, the more stuck you become. Meanwhile, Professor has no idea where you're struggling, creating a loop of fear and frustration.
Fortunately, I managed to break out of that cycle. My advice: even if you haven't achieved any results despite your efforts, meet with your professor and discuss your challenges. Remember, one of a professor’s main responsibilities is to help students solve problems-so don't be afraid to reach out!
Research Network
If you pay close attention, you'll notice that Professors in the Graduate Institute of Applied Geology have non-overlapping research fields. I believe this is intentional, as it allows for better collaboration on interdisciplinary projects.
As a student, you should also build connections with peers in different labs. You don’t need to master every research topic, but knowing who to ask for help when encountering a problem is important. For example, my research focuses on submarine groundwater discharge. If someone asked me to identify a rock type and determine its formation, I’d be lost! Learning this on my own would take several semesters, but simply asking a student from Professor Huang’s lab would give me the answer much faster.
Therefore, connecting with students in other labs will greatly benefit your current and future research.
Living Environment at NCU
NCU is isolated on a hill 😊-a peaceful environment well-suited for monks… or PhD students. However, for someone like me, who enjoys socializing and lively surroundings, this can be quite challenging.
To survive this period, I strongly recommend finding a group of close friends who share your interests. This is especially important for international students, as cultural differences, unfamiliar food, and homesickness can make things even harder. When academic work is already demanding, even small additional challenges can push you toward giving up.
So, take care of your mental and social health. Also, a very important note: The food at NCU is boring, boring, boring (yes, important things must be repeated three times!). So, learn to cook before deciding to study a PhD in NCU!
I hope what I share will be useful to everyone!
A friend from Vietnam,
Đặng Minh Quân (鄧明君)
2025.02.06
