Thinking about a PhD? Electrical and computer engineering students answer questions they once had

UW–Madison electrical and computer engineering PhD students Subham Sabud, Paridhi Gupta and Debarati Sen share the questions they had when choosing a PhD program—and what they’ve learned since. From finding the right research and faculty advisor to building a community, managing a stipend and enjoying life in Madison, they offer an inside look at what it’s really like to pursue a PhD in ECE.

What is the ECE graduate student community like at UW–Madison?

Subham: The graduate student community in ECE is very collaborative. Students come from different research areas and backgrounds, but people are generally willing to help each other, whether it is with research, coursework, experiments or simply adjusting to graduate school. Of course, everyone is working toward their own research goals, but I have found the environment to be much more collaborative than competitive. There are also many opportunities to interact with students outside your own research group.

Paridhi: In my experience, the graduate community is exceptionally collaborative and supportive. When I first started, my peers were instrumental in helping me navigate grad school. Since then, they have consistently encouraged me to push my boundaries while offering a strong safety net whenever I hit a roadblock or feel overwhelmed.

Debarati: My experience has been that the graduate student community is much more collaborative than competitive. Of course, everyone is working hard and has their own research goals, but I haven’t felt like people are competing against each other in a negative way. Students are generally willing to share resources, help troubleshoot experiments, discuss classes or give advice about research, fellowship opportunities, etc. At the same time, graduate school can be fairly independent. Everyone is working on a different project and has a different schedule, so you do have to make an effort to build your community. Joining student organizations, talking to people outside your immediate lab, and going to department and GSA (Graduate Student Association) events can make a big difference.

How are students matched with an ECE faculty advisor?

Subham: I was matched with my advisor based on my research interests and their alignment with the research being done in the group. I think both research compatibility and advising style are important when choosing an advisor.

Paridhi: I had the opportunity to work with my advisor as an undergraduate researcher, and building that strong foundation led me to pursue my PhD in his lab.

Debarati: My advice here is to think about advisor selection as more than simply choosing a research topic. Research fit is obviously important, but I would also pay attention to advising style, expectations, funding, group culture, communication style, and where previous students have gone after graduating. When talking with potential advisors, I would ask what projects they expect new students to work on, how frequently they meet with students, how much freedom students have to develop their own research directions, and what they consider a successful PhD. I would also talk privately with several current students in the group. They can often tell you things about their daily experiences that you cannot learn from a faculty webpage or even from a conversation with the professor.

In general, how frequently do students interact with their faculty advisors?  How much independence do students have?

Paridhi: Advising styles vary across the department, but my advisor takes a supportive, hands-off approach that allows us to chart our own path. We have formal weekly meetings, but I also text him frequently and drop by whenever I need guidance. I have full freedom to choose my projects and execute them as I see fit, knowing he is always there to guide me.

Debarati: This varies quite a bit from advisor to advisor, so I would definitely recommend asking current students in any group you are considering. In my case, we have weekly meetings. But in scenarios where I am stuck or there are tight deadlines to work around, I might even meet my advisor multiple times during the week. I would describe the relationship as having a good amount of independence while still having guidance available when I need it.

What is the culture like in a research group?

Subham: The lab environment is collaborative, and new students are encouraged to learn, ask questions, and communicate with others. With time, students are expected to become more independent and take ownership of their research.

Paridhi: Our lab maintains a warm, collaborative dynamic. We get together for lunch almost weekly to talk shop and bond. Because everyone brings different technical strengths to the table, it is easy to ask lab mates for advice or invite them to collaborate on projects. We don’t place heavy expectations on new students beyond staying engaged, coming to group outings and actively participating in lab meetings.

Debarati: Every lab is different, which is why talking to the current students is extremely important. As a new student, I don’t think anyone expects you to immediately know how to do everything. There is usually a significant learning period where you are reading literature, learning equipment or simulation tools, understanding previous work in the group, and figuring out the broader research problem.

What is expected is that you gradually become proactive. If something isn’t working, instead of simply saying that it doesn’t work, you start asking why, proposing possible explanations, and thinking about what experiment or simulation could test those explanations.

Another important expectation is being willing to learn from other students. A lot of practical knowledge in a research group–how equipment behaves, how samples are processed and how certain simulations are set up–is often learned from senior graduate students rather than from a textbook.

What is life in Madison like for PhD students?

Subham: PhD life can be busy with research, classes and deadlines, but there is still time to enjoy life outside the lab. Madison is a beautiful and student-friendly city with plenty of outdoor activities, restaurants and events.

Paridhi: Madison is an ideal environment for a PhD. It offers the tight-knit charm of a college town alongside plenty of activities for your free time. The campus sits right next to downtown and is surrounded by lakes, making it a vibrant and beautiful place to live and work.

Debarati: I think Madison is a very good city for graduate school. It has many of the advantages of a larger university town without feeling overwhelmingly large. Campus and downtown are closely connected, so it is relatively easy to get around, and there are restaurants, coffee shops, lakes, parks and a lot of outdoor activities nearby. During the summer especially, Madison is a really enjoyable place to live. The winters are definitely something you have to adjust to, particularly if you are coming from somewhere warmer, but the city and university are very accustomed to winter weather.

How do students manage their stipends?

Subham: I manage my stipend by budgeting for major expenses such as rent, groceries, and utilities. Madison can be manageable for graduate students with reasonable planning and use of student resources.

Paridhi: I keep expenses low by living with roommates, cooking most of my meals and choosing an apartment close to campus. Madison’s public transit system is excellent and free for students, which completely eliminates the need for a car and saves a significant amount of money.

Debarati: Housing is usually the largest expense, so where you live and whether you have roommates make a significant difference. Living slightly farther from campus or sharing an apartment can reduce costs considerably. I would recommend prospective students compare the actual take-home stipend and not just the number written in the offer letter. Consider the rent, fees, transportation, groceries, and other recurring expenses. Also ask current students what they actually pay for housing because they will give you a much more realistic picture of the cost of living. Personally, I think having a basic monthly budget helps a lot. Graduate stipends don’t leave unlimited discretionary income, but Madison also has many things you can do relatively inexpensively.

Subham, Paridhi and Debarati found that the ECE PhD experience at UW–Madison is about much more than time spent in a lab. It’s about finding mentors and collaborators, becoming an independent researcher, building relationships with fellow students and creating a home and community in Madison. Their experiences offer a glimpse of the opportunities, challenges and community that come with being an ECE PhD student at UW–Madison.

If you’re considering a PhD in electrical and computer engineering, program page to learn more about research, funding, requirements and how to apply, and student life. We hope these students’ perspectives have answered some of your questions and given you a better sense of what your own PhD experience could look like at UW–Madison.

In addition to our program page, learn more:
Your Guide to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Program at UW–Madison