To Phd or not to Phd.

Salsa

Salsa

Salsa

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So im in the final semester of my Environmental Science degree and on course for a 1st class.

I am at the stage where I now have to decide what to do once I finish in June. Do I try and find myself a job or do I go on and complete an MSc or Phd in my chosen field.

I have an choice of 2 funded PHd's through my current university but I am unsure as to whether I could stick another 4-5 years.Since I dont want to go into teaching or academia I think a PHd may actually hurt my employment prospects rather than help them

I also have an offer of funding to do an MSc (this would require a relocation but no biggie) althought this is not strictly in the subject which most interests me, though related.

Any advice from those of you who have completed a PHd or MSc? Will a 1st class help make me stand out in the pile of CV's when applying for jobs or would an MSc/PHd be the way to go.

/Salsa
 
Ask yourself, do you really want to end up in research? Or is that just an easy way out as opposed to finding what you actually want to be doing?

I did a science degree then ran for the hills. I loved the learning, but research is tedious and woeful.
 
What area do you want to get into and what area are the PhD's and MSc's in (and what uni)? Important questions from the employment point of view.

I got an MSc last year and got my job because of it, wouldn't have got it otherwise. All but two of my class were in relevant employment within two months of leaving and most of us had more than one offer of employment. Worth it's weight in gold was the course, but that was partly because it is a well respected course in the industry I wanted to get into. Do an MSc that isn't particularly respected or isn't to relevant to your area of expertise and it may not be quite as easy to get a job afterwards.

So yeah, MSc (or maybe PhD if you really like the subject) all the way, IF it is a good course!
 
I did my BSc Hons and got a 1st Class.. the dissertation from that alone put me off wanting to take my degree any further.

It all depends whether you enjoy research or not.
 
I plan on doing my MSc next, have to move to the local rival uni to do it though, but it looks like it will only cost me £6K for the year to do it, which is worth it IMO.

What Phd do you plan on doing?
 
If you can keep motivated for 4 years even when things aren't going well then a PhD is worth considering.
 
Nitefly said:
Yep, with pants pay, endless repetition of experiments and unstable career progression, you need nerves of steel :eek:
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This is the main thing you need to look out for I think... It is something I am finding more and more in the current climate. Contracts such as post doc work are just that... contracts, very short term with little security, once your funding is up, thats it!
 
Salsa said:
So im in the final semester of my Environmental Science degree and on course for a 1st class.

I am at the stage where I now have to decide what to do once I finish in June. Do I try and find myself a job or do I go on and complete an MSc or Phd in my chosen field.

I have an choice of 2 funded PHd's through my current university but I am unsure as to whether I could stick another 4-5 years.Since I dont want to go into teaching or academia I think a PHd may actually hurt my employment prospects rather than help them

I also have an offer of funding to do an MSc (this would require a relocation but no biggie) althought this is not strictly in the subject which most interests me, though related.

Any advice from those of you who have completed a PHd or MSc? Will a 1st class help make me stand out in the pile of CV's when applying for jobs or would an MSc/PHd be the way to go.

/Salsa
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If you've got a PhD offer already (without the need for a masters), go for it.

In your field (and most science fields) at the moment you're unlikely to find a permanent job paying much more than a PhD would and a PhD has the benefit of putting you above anyone else who only has a BSc/MSc. Unfortunately so many people have degrees now that it's necessary to get that extra qualification if you want a career in science, even if you have a 1st.

A PhD will do nothing but boost your CV if you're interested in industry. You'll come in at a higher position, typically with a supervisory role once you've got a year or two under your belt. Just because the PhD is in academia, doesn't mean you're going to be pigeon holed into academia.

Also, 4-5 years? Most PhDs are 3 years, unless you're going to have a year out working in industry? Either way, the experience will be good.

e: There are some points made in this thread which are worth noting. Post doc positions are difficult to to obtain with long contracts, but then again, does this matter if you're not interested in staying in academia beyond a PhD?

The only "science" careers I've seen classmates obtain with a BSc/Msc were sales reps for lab suppliers...
 
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.Jay. said:
What is your phd on?
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Identifying the mode of action by which Manuka honey exerts its effects on the problematic Gram negative organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa

It isn't 100% what I wanted to do however the skills within the PhD are spot on and will help me later on (antimicrobial discovery and development).
 
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