From Industry to Impact: A Ph.D. Journey in Cybersecurity

After earning a master’s degree in 2016, Abhishek Bhaskar’s plan was straightforward: build a career in industry and stay close to research without committing to a doctoral program.

That plan lasted about three years.

“I initially thought I’d just continue in research without a Ph.D.,” Bhaskar said. “My advisor encouraged me to stay, but I wanted to experience industry first.”

In addition to perspective, working outside academia offered Bhaskar clarity. Over time, he found himself drawn back to the kind of deeper, more impactful research he had glimpsed during his graduate studies. Watching colleagues with doctoral degrees tackle complex problems reinforced his decision.