How Did You Decide to Do a PhD?

[Denise]

Hello,
I am curious how did you know that you wanted to do a Ph.D?

I am thinking of doing mine lol

looking forward to your answers!
take care

[labgnome]

I got so much funding after my MSc that I couldnt say no to a PhD...

[sairamnetha]

hi how r u

[admin]

Hi,
i did the same labgnome. Luckily staying at the same lab the phd was only 3 years more instead of 5 more after the masters... phew

[Notch]

Here's my question: if you're in research, are you actually happy with what you're doing?


I've just finished my undergrad degree and find myself questioning whether persuing a career in research is really the best thing. From the 4 moths that I spent in the lab as a student I got the feeling that this is a rather unstable job. Everything seems to depend on the grants you get, the number of articles you publish a year and whether or not what you are researching is of any value to the institution/company for which you are working for.

So, is it really as unstable as it seems? What on earth happens to you if for some reason, something goes wrong and you don't meet the requirements?

[danfive]

Originally Posted by Notch

Here's my question: if you're in research, are you actually happy with what you're doing??

I think most are happy.

Originally Posted by Notch

I've just finished my undergrad degree and find myself questioning whether persuing a career in research is really the best thing. From the 4 moths that I spent in the lab as a student I got the feeling that this is a rather unstable job. Everything seems to depend on the grants you get, the number of articles you publish a year and whether or not what you are researching is of any value to the institution/company for which you are working for.

Yes it is unstable and dependent on your performance. But also very importantly it depends on how you play the organizational politics game. You should get the maximum credit for all your accomplishments so that funding (other than grants) comes easier.

Originally Posted by Notch

So, is it really as unstable as it seems? What on earth happens to you if for some reason, something goes wrong and you don't meet the requirements?

Quite simply you can get fired very easily. Academia has a slight advantage that you publish or perish (as well as bring in grants) but after being established your job security is better than industry (but this requires getting full-professor and/or multi-million dollar grants).

Best advice if you can do MD or DVM or DDS/DMD it will be better, you can practice and set yourself up financially; and if you want to do research you can use your successful clinical career and contacts to leverage for a better position in either industry or academia.

[sohosun]

Originally Posted by Denise

Hello,
I am curious how did you know that you wanted to do a Ph.D?

I am thinking of doing mine lol

looking forward to your answers!
take care

Man, that was the biggest mistake of my life

[spongya77]

Originally Posted by sohosun

Man, that was the biggest mistake of my life

Why is that? I'm actually in a big crossroads now, and desperately need advice...
(I have no idea what else I can do with an MSc in Immunology but research, and if you do research, you might as well have a PhD, right? And now I'm trying to decide between "regular" lab assistant position which is local, or move to GB for another assistant position with a good chance of transferring to PhD in a year or so...) The other option would be to be a poolboy at the Playboy Mansion.
Oh well. Did I mention I'm desperate?

[sohosun]

Originally Posted by spongya77

Why is that? I'm actually in a big crossroads now, and desperately need advice...
(I have no idea what else I can do with an MSc in Immunology but research, and if you do research, you might as well have a PhD, right? And now I'm trying to decide between "regular" lab assistant position which is local, or move to GB for another assistant position with a good chance of transferring to PhD in a year or so...) The other option would be to be a poolboy at the Playboy Mansion.
Oh well. Did I mention I'm desperate?

It depends what kind of life do you want... If you like to spend most of your time in a lab for one of the most ridiculous salary on the market (I mean considering your level of education if you get a PhD), well, science is just for you...
But I think you can get much better tips by being a poolboy and a much nicer environment...

[spongya77]

So, what do you do, then, with a training in science and an MSc?