Re: Returning student needs career advice.

"Marc" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> "J.Q. Student" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Time seems to be a factor.  Should I try for a more-desirable
> > department at age 34 or jump in now before wasting any more time?
> > Also, am I deluding myself in believing that I will be considered
> > seriously for these kinds of positions when I get my Ph.D. in my
> > mid-to-late 30s?
> 
> I would agree with Rick++, it would be quite difficult if you are aiming for
> an academic job. However, if you have a few years in your industry, go for a
> PhD to upgrade your skills and then return to the job market, it can be a
> plus with a lot of employers. Getting a PhD might also qualify you for
> industry positions that would be a little more research-oriented than you
> may be doing now. My approach would be to think about industry jobs that
> might satisfy your interest in research, and tailor your PhD work towards
> that. I went from academic biological research to industry research, and I
> found that each was equally challenging and stimulating. The biggest
> difference is that the industry research jobs pay better.

I also agree. Avoid an academic position like the plague. Focus on
what skills are needed in industry jobs.

My situation is very similiar. Returned to college at age 28. BS at
32, MS at 36. Where I work (university research), the pay sucks, the
raises are barely above inflation, and hard work goes unrewarded. 
Approaching age 40, if I do continue with this PhD study (I'm
full-time staff, part-time student), it is with an eye toward a
position at a gov't (NASA, NOAA) lab or industry.

My former MS advisor thinks there is nothing wrong with a person
starting college at 28, spending 4 years on a BS, 4-5 on MS, 4-5 on
PhD, some post-doc study, and then moving into a tenure-track adademic
position at age 45. Sweating  out the tenure process would surely put
me in an early grave.

Mike