Re: MBA or law degree in lieu of getting Phd in chemistry?
From: dave e (dgenglish_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 06/06/04
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Date: 6 Jun 2004 05:30:28 -0700
shnaggletooth@yahoo.com (shnaggletooth) wrote in message news:<d4162c1a.0406050451.3bc290f2@posting.google.com>...
> As I've (annoyingly) been posting, I'm 36 and scheduled to start a
> chem Phd program at an unprestigious program in the fall. Other
> posters have suggested that the normal route today is to go from Phd
> to an MBA. And since I have no chem industry experience, it makes me
> wonder: are the PHds in industry trying to get out? What kind of job
> security and research freedom does a typical industry Phd have? Do
> they spend five years getting a degree only to be slaving away doing
> some tedious task?
>
> My deluded idea is that I could possibly invent and patent something
> while I was a chemist, start my own company, and proceed in that
> fashion.
>
Your experience sounds like what is commonly known as a "midlife
crisis"
The various careers you mention (or which have been recommended by
others in response to your post) require very different personality
types: Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher, Chem industry researcher, Chemistry
entrepreneur. There are advantages and disadvantages to each
profession, but no individual person is equally well suited to all of
them.
Might I recommend that you complete a career interest survey. These
are usually administered by career counselors, but you may be able to
find a more basic survey available on line.
A further concern I have is that the educational tracks you are
describing are not necessarily the fastest way into your desired
field. For example, If you're willing to hustle, you might be able to
get an entry level chem industry job without a Master's Degree.
Neither law school nor medical school require a prior Masters Degree
for entry.
In some states and school districts you can become a secondary school
teacher with only a Bachelor's degree (then earn your teaching
credentials while you work, during the first year).
If you want to be an entrepreneur, all you need is a good idea and the
willingness to work 140 hours a week. Contact your local SBA chapter,
who may be able to hook you up with an entrepreneurial mentor.
Dave
> My other, more practical, idea is to just get an M.S. and teach
> secondary school. Or maybe try to get into med school once I get stop
> short and get my masters, although I hear that med schools disparage
> any coursework done as a grad student (correct me if I'm wrong on
> this.)
>
> Or possibly try to get into an econ PHd program the following year if
> I find chemistry isn't my thing.
>
> As you can see, I'm flailing about for the correct thing to do. But
> basically, I want a satisfying career where I'm not at the mercy of
> capricious bosses (which is sort of what I've been enduring working
> ten years in a retail bookstore).
>
> Shnaggletooth
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