after masters,what in research? - are there any options except PhD? (Jun/11/2008 )

Hi,

I was just wondering is it imperative to do PhD if you want to make your carrier in research/ . I did my masters 2 years back, and now I am in a very good lab...its one of the best lab in my country.But unfortunately I am not enrolled in any PhD program... but the research experience which I've gained in this lab is great ..as I've learned most of the genomics, proteomics..animal cell culture etc.The negative thing is that I dont have any publication yet .Now its been two years, I am in research.I want to make carrier in this field only.... I love doing research. I want to do something on my own.. and want some growth..I mean cant work like this.
But now if think of PhD.... it will take 5 more years. So what do I do now?or what else can I do? I know my question is confusing . But what to do? suggest me something.

Thanks

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That is confusing. I guess you will have to make a hard (or bitter) decision.

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1. Definitely do PhD

2. Do it in UK, 3 years

3. Your career will only expand if you have PhD (necessary but not sufficient)

4. Without papers, you are Nobody.

5. After PhD, you can join industry, so do PhD in an area that has industry relevance to keep your options open (pharmacogenomics, high-throughput, drug discovery, pharmacokinetics, proteomics, bioinformatics etc).

6. Just being great in techniques does not take you in life anywhere. It should lead to (a) paper ( degree © career with a good position

7. If you are less than 35, you are young.

..

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Hmmm...... its confusing I know . I am 27, and may be I'll get a publication also this year. But the thing is my parents want me to settle in life now.... you know what I mean.... they want me to get married and soewhere I also want that, PhD and marriage cant go together... thats what my current boss says. So cant decide shall I go for PhD or join some industry at this time. As far as techniques concern.... I know the techniques which will be helpful in industries... like proteomics, mass spectrometry etc. But then what will I do in industry? I've heard you can't grow there if you don't have PhD . Very confused at this time of life where I've to choose personal life or carrier. I want both but how?

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That is completely wrong. Both can work wonderfully. PhD is intensive but spread across 5-6 years, you can have kids, have vacations, work in your own time, read in your own time. It all depends upon the parterner, whether you are doing PhD or Presidency or banana peeling!

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I heard that someone had two babies during her PhD, and she still managed to finished.

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PhD and family/babies was a long discussion once and it does depend on partner and how U r also. Others have done it does not mean U can do it too. Others could not do it does not mean U cannot do either. It's U who should be able to balance between the two. . . PhD, Presenency and (??) Banana peeling

Like cellcounter said, 'PhD' is necessity not luxury. If U plan to continue in the same field and 'grow' U will need it.

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A Masters degree is fine for a few years, but you will eventually become significantly more expensive to hire than someone who has lower qualifications. Also, there is not much chance of doing your own research: you'll always be helping someone else's career over your own.

As for your parents: while it's important to listen to what they say, it's still your life that has to be led, and that won't happen if they are the ones always pulling the strings, as it were. I'm sure even they became independent of their parents, and they need to realise you need to become independent of them, if you are to truly be a mature adult.

The myth of having either personal life or career is simply that: a myth. As long as your partner/spouse supports you, marriage (or not), kids and a PhD are all compatible. It might take slightly longer to achieve the degree, but then, life is more than the list of letters after your name, isn't it?

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