Re: Returning student needs career advice.

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Michael Rawlins) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> "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.

One caveat about avoiding academic jobs: if you can get into a field
where there really is a shortage, you can do OK.  I know of one or
two such areas, but these are board certifiable biomedical type areas
with significant service components to the work.  In some senses these
are like industry jobs (and in fact have some crossover potential), so
you're not far off the mark.

> 
> 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.

They keep saying Feds will be retiring in droves and opening up
positions.  Actually, it seems like a fair number of people are
retiring around here now, and more are making noises, but it hasn't
helped my career advancement, yet. ;-)

> 
> 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

Happy Thanksgiving.

Regards,
Russell