Job Experience for PhD applicants

[Debal Saha]

I was just wondering how much does job experience in industries counts while applying to the Grad Schools for a PhD program. I have seen many people joining some company for a couple of years and then applying to the schools for their graduate studies. Many of them are doing so not just for erning a sufficient amount to fund their education but some think that it will strengthen their credentials. I would like to know what others think about it.