Becoming an Assistant Professor at 24

[usa.mom.in.germany]

I now work in Munich as a full time communications consultant to the biotechnology industry, after continuing to work in higher education for a few years after immigrating 💚

[anthonymcconnell]

Wow that is a lot of work. And putting your future infront of you! Well done

[sonataluna]

The following is meant explanatory because someone asked how it is in Germany and in NO MEANS meant to belittle the achievement of her! Her education path is impressive, and the position she would've had in germany at that age would be no less impressive than in the US. It just is called differently here, which the confusion some people might have, stem from:

In Germany, the word "Professor" is a job description here that means a very specific position in the university!
It is given to certain teaching and research positions at universities and basically is also the highest paid position there (At least 5k a month for junior, and at least 7k Euro as "normal" professor, excluding all other benefits from it)

And the requirements are very steep. It needs at the very least a PhD Habil. (Habilitation aquired, which is an extra step after the PhD), multiple years of teaching on a university and a regular stream of published papers + there actually needs to be a position written out by a university for it.
The application process is as lengthy, but it also means that you will be in the right to have the honorific "Professor" added as title to the name (same with Doctor btw).

The position she had in the US (Associate Professor) would be a "Dozent" in Germany. They do a lot of the same work a professor does, usually under one, so teaching students, researching things and are the main teaching force at universities. Usually they are doing this to earn experience, published papers and time to write and get their habilitaton and then qualify for a professor position.

[aiko]

You worked HARD for it.
Super impressive.

[christinegollwitzer]

Stark das hätte ich nicht hinbekommen. Ich war froh das ich irgendwann fertig war mit dem Diplom als Ingenieurin ein Jahr später als geplant 😅 Slay girl 🎉🎉

[durahkhalid]

In Canada, students typically complete high school at 18, 17 if u have a late birthday or 19 if you take a victory lap. Undergrad by 22-23, as those programs are 4 to 5 years long. Masters programs are generally 2 years, sometimes 1, 3, or 4, so youd be 23-26 by then. PhD programs take minimum 4 to 5 and or up to 10 years. In this case, the youngest an Assistant Prof could be is ~27... this is assuming u took 0 breaks in between and fast tracked your bachelors and masters degrees (i.e. 3 years + 1 year, respectively).

[Globewanderer]

You finished your dissertation in 8 months? Ok....yea....😅

[qfason]

I’ve never heard of a PhD completed in less than two years…what uni was this

[Aurriel]

You have every right to be proud of your progress and success! Good on you! For most people in the academic field it will take longer - no matter in which country. So kudos to your dedication!

[helensernett]

It sounds like you definitely worked the system! But also that you found an advisor who was supportive of your very accelerated track. That isn’t super common among my friends who have gotten or are working on doctoral degrees.

[NoRoyals-udfi]

Ok, you can skip a year of university by taking AP classes in high school in US. But the ‘credit’ system in US universities means you can accrue a lot of credits in unrelated topics just by showing up, eg, ballet dancing, weightlifting (I’m serious!! 🙄). Most countries require focus, continuity, and progression for a degree, meaning you have to complete certain courses to progress to next level. Difficult to do in 2 years for a 4 year degree, even with AP credits. Online courses generally are a lot less respected and it sounds like you were just burning through credits to finish.
The PhD progression she’s describing here is wild. “Coursework” is not required for PhDs in many countries because you’re supposed to be beyond being spoonfed information and know how to do research. This should have been learned in Honours or Masters. A PhD dissertation is supposed to add something to the field- a new discovery, information, innovation, etc. This takes time. Many (not all) require publication. Then, you have to write your thesis and defend it. Part of the process teaches you how little you know but how to ask the right questions and problem solve. Racing through at high speed is less likely to have taught you the real takehomes that 99% of PhD holders have learned.
I still enjoy your perspectives of US vs Germany. But you don’t need a PhD for that.

[James-pvy]

How... that's literally impossible.

[corbinbrier]

Super impressive. You are so damn smart. I can't even fathom trying to navigate all of that. Major props to you!

[crasson]

Oh you SMART smart 😂😂 being able to process and accomplish that much that fast is amazing, good on you ❤

[kylerichard]

This story, while possible .... seems at the very least a bad idea to attempt. Either your work was not challenging enough to merit the title, or your parenting suffered, or your mental health was put at serious and unnecessary risk. Possibly all three. There is hard work, talent, and determination, and then there is a creative suicide attempt.

Also, I find it difficult to believe that a job market that unbelievably f***ed would give you a permanent senior job (which is what an assistant prof usually is) with that short of a research publication record.

[biya]

Can’t get my head around doing this with a baby! Some days I can barely manage the laundry and dinner with a little one running around 😂 well done to u, so inspirational

[Schnarek]

5 years from Bachelor to Phd is impossible in germany. Also its missing the quality while the Phd, which is the most important.

[Warrior]

It is super impressive that you managed to do that.

I still feel like if you manage to write a dissertation in only 8 months this does not feel like something usufull. It sounds like it is just writing do finish it without much use of the research. A phd in my field takes between 4 and 6 years. You would probably need at least three years to actually do all the research. And that is usually done with the help of multiple students maybe like 10 or more that write their bachelor and master thesis with your help. Then there are also multiple partners that all contribute. So comparing a phd thesis that is just written in 8 months to a phd thesis thaz was the work of on average 5 years with the help of many students and research and industry partners, honestly feels kind of unfair.

[lohikarhu]

Damn!
It's clear that you are one smart puppy, and now you tell me why!
What a terrific set of achievements...nice that you are not stuck in the USA.
🇨🇦 in 🇩🇪

[reetan]

Youre so hardworking glad you got through all that