What should I do next? Finishing a PhD in engineering

[GWestphal]

After 10 long years in the ivory tower, I'll be finishing my PhD (MS and BS included in 10 years). My field is Biomedical Engineering focusing primarily on Neural Engineering.

Options I've Considered:

A) Get a job as a Scientist/Engineer at a Medical company probably working on neuromodulation therapies.

B) Get a postdoc at NIH or at some academic institute

C) Go To Medical School - Neurology/Neurosurgery/Emergency Medicine

D) Go To Law School - Patent Attorney

E) Start own business


(A) is enticing because I could make money to pay off my student loans and make real money after being a grad student. (B) is interesting because I could research some new things, plus I could apply for 35K in loan forgiveness if I'm working on the right project. (C) is interesting because I grew up around clinics and hospitals and I've always had an interest in medicine, but not sure the lifestyle, 8-14 yr training, 200K loans (or 4 yr military obligation) would suit me. (D) would be interesting because it combines (A) and (C), high salary, normal lifestyle, plus I would then represent myself for personal inventions and the like, but also about 100K in loans. (E) is the ultimate freedom, but also very stressful with likely 5-10 yrs before results would be seen.


What are ATOTs thoughts?

 

[deadlyapp]

I don't see why people get phd's in engineering unless you plan on being a teacher. I know so few phd's actually in industry its ridiculous.

 

[m1ldslide1]

You make all options sound equally plausible.

How difficult would it be for you to get a job in option A? What is your competition like for A, B, etc? What are your realistic prospects for law schools and medical schools, and at which academic echelon?

One thing you didn't address - do you feel like you have a "higher calling"? Patent attorney may pay big bucks, but given your options would it fulfill all of your personal aspirations (some people want to help others, "give something back", etc)?

 

[GWestphal]

@ m1ldslide1

My area is pretty good for getting jobs. Luckily this isn't an overabundance of PhDs in engineering just floating around my area.

When it comes to helping people you have lots of options, be a doctor and save 10,000 people over your life at the expense of your family etc or be a researcher and potentially cure every person with a given disease and still have time for family etc.

I think I could get into any 2nd or 3rd tier Law or Medical school. I might be able to make it into a 1st tier school, but it wouldn't be a sure thing.


@deadlyapp

In my field and with the companies in my area, a PhD is required if you ever want to move up in the R&D capacity. A B.S. will get you to engineer III or maybe a manager I, masters will get you to engineer IV and mabye manager III, but if you want to be and engineer V or higher (senior staff scientist) or a director, you bet your ass you need need a PhD. A number of people in my department are there for just that reason, they hit the ceiling with their current education.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

@ m1ldslide1

My area is pretty good for getting jobs. Luckily this isn't an overabundance of PhDs in engineering just floating around my area.

When it comes to helping people you have lots of options, be a doctor and save 10,000 people over your life at the expense of your family etc or be a researcher and potentially cure every person with a given disease and still have time for family etc.

I think I could get into any 2nd or 3rd tier Law or Medical school. I might be able to make it into a 1st tier school, but it wouldn't be a sure thing.


@deadlyapp

In my field and with the companies in my area, a PhD is required if you ever want to move up in the R&D capacity. A B.S. will get you to engineer III or maybe a manager I, masters will get you to engineer IV and mabye manager III, but if you want to be and engineer V or higher (senior staff scientist) or a director, you bet your ass you need need a PhD. A number of people in my department are there for just that reason, they hit the ceiling with their current education.

Do NOT do D; waste of time and money.

Only do E if you know the difference between starting a business and working in one.

C you could have done without a Ph.D. in neuro engineering.

B: do you love theory?

A: do you do well in a corporate environment?

 

[jupiter57]

You are a professional student.
I expect you will stay a professional student.

 

[blurredvision]

Damn, might as well sit back and relax, you've already plowed through half of your life with school.

 

[GWestphal]

@ blurredvision

I hope I don't die at 50!

 

[TecHNooB]

@ blurredvision

I hope I don't die at 50!

phd at 25? that's awesome.

 

[busydude]

Getting into a Post Doc should be the easiest way forward, but the pay really sucks.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

phd at 25? that's awesome.

Also why he's angst-filled about what to do next.

 

[zinfamous]

C) is about another 10+ years of school and internship.

 

[yhelothar]

I'm getting my masters in neural engineering now and considering a PhD.

I'm personally considering A or B, and leaning towards A.
You probably had some specific interest in neural engineering that inspired you to get a PhD in the field. So why not continue working on it?
A or B would be the way to go.
It doesn't sound like you're ready for E if you're making this thread, and A or B seems like it'd help you prepare for E in the future as an option.

 

[TuxDave]

In my opinion if you get an MD or a JD, you wasted your time with a Ph'D. Go apply your knowledge so it's A or B or E.

 

[FoBoT]

A- get a jerb

 

[God Mode]

Mcdonalds.

 

[anyusername]

Don't people work anymore these days?

 

[CycloWizard]

This is a question you should have pondered before you started your PhD, or at least in the first year. After you've finished a PhD, you should have a pretty good idea if you want to keep doing research or something else. All of the options you listed have completely different lifestyles associated with them. If you really haven't narrowed it down at all, then I would fire your PhD advisor because he/she really dropped the ball.

 

[SandEagle]

C. become a doctor.

 

[Vic Vega]

...

 

[SKORPI0]

What is Neural Engineering? :awe:

 

[Imp]

In my opinion if you get an MD or a JD, you wasted your time with a Ph'D. Go apply your knowledge so it's A or B or E.

Gotta agree with this one... why do a PhD, then totally switch fields unless you really hated your field?

I'm about to finish my first master's in civil engineering, hoping to land a job in the field. I've considered getting a PhD, but years of research, more courses, being paid close to minimum wage... no thanks. Only reason I would do one is to have a better shot at getting into my chosen field.

Ok... should clarify: get a job in that specific subfield (environmental engineering, namely drinking water treatment). I'm already in the field, just in a subfield I hate.

And I'm actually signing up for a second master's, but part-time so I can make money at the same time.

 

[Rastus]

Knowledge, work and intuition. Use them all. Learn more while working, and go with your own gut instinct about your path.

 

[Gibsons]

After 10 long years in the ivory tower, I'll be finishing my PhD (MS and BS included in 10 years). My field is Biomedical Engineering focusing primarily on Neural Engineering.

Options I've Considered:

A) Get a job as a Scientist/Engineer at a Medical company probably working on neuromodulation therapies.

B) Get a postdoc at NIH or at some academic institute

C) Go To Medical School - Neurology/Neurosurgery/Emergency Medicine

D) Go To Law School - Patent Attorney

E) Start own business


(A) is enticing because I could make money to pay off my student loans and make real money after being a grad student. (B) is interesting because I could research some new things, plus I could apply for 35K in loan forgiveness if I'm working on the right project. (C) is interesting because I grew up around clinics and hospitals and I've always had an interest in medicine, but not sure the lifestyle, 8-14 yr training, 200K loans (or 4 yr military obligation) would suit me. (D) would be interesting because it combines (A) and (C), high salary, normal lifestyle, plus I would then represent myself for personal inventions and the like, but also about 100K in loans. (E) is the ultimate freedom, but also very stressful with likely 5-10 yrs before results would be seen.


What are ATOTs thoughts?

A probably the best route, imo

B maybe. if you want to do research as a career. It's a crappy job in terms of pay, but potentially a great stepping stone and maybe rewarding in other ways. Also, there are millions of places besides the NIH, in some very cool to live in cities.

C More school, that you have to pay for, then residency after that. Your Ph.D. will be sort of meaningless. Maybe a great career though.

D Yeah, the world needs more lawyers.

E dunno, do you have a product in mind already?

 

[Sho'Nuff]

D) Go To Law School - Patent Attorney

Don't do this. There are no jobs for patent attorneys with no experience. Even EE's.

<---------------------------Patent Attorney

If you still want to consider that option, lets chat. I'm happy to walk you through the good and the bad.