Hey guys:

3 years ago, I now think I made one of the curtest decisions in my life-------- choosing the major of biological engineering, just for the better potential for going aboard for a graduate study (IM from china). And believe or not, this decision is incubated by my parents who considered for U.S's <1> better living environment (It's true, comparing to China) and <2> better payment (now IM questionable..) .

Then, in the past 3 years, I really put my effort in studies, carefully preparing for every exams for a decent GPA, apply for Lab works with graduate students for a relatively rich academic experience, take position in union for leadership record on CV… all prepared for the international application to graduate programs in United States.

While, the problem comes---- unsatisfied job prospective and payment for graduate students majored in science unless one really love the work and know well about what challenging should face with. Admittedly, I gradually find my interests in molecular or (genetics) filed during the working on a project aimed at algae oil. While I am not a person who is willing to give up their free time for personal hobby, IM a lover for photography as well as electronic devices; Again IM not a person who'd like to have a cold family life and be a crappy fathers in the future which all these sacrificed for a uncertain experiment; Or say, I not the person who can bare the low paying for the following 15yrs, 20years, which should be the golden age for the careers to others who with a CS B.S work for a computer company. ….

Even if lucky enough to be a mentor, I still cannot tolerate the life of busy applying for grants all years around and keeping worries about the funds and publications… IM a person prefer certainty for life and decent income at least for both family life and individual hobbies…

I heard a M.S may have a relatively better job future, because Ph.D.'s specialty is over enough for jobs, and is it true in the U.S? IM clear that a master degree will have less financial assistance, but if it does have better opportunities for jobs with decent pay and without too much uncertainty, I'd rather choose to fund by my family for a M.S.

BTW, could anyone introduce some of representative job directions for biology graduates? and what about the job positions in kit companies (e.g. Promega, Invitrogen… )?

Thanks advance for any feedbacks!

Hey there,

IMHO, there is nothing so certain about getting a high pay job after postgrad graduation. You can't say a M.S. or PhD will have a brighter career or better chance. In my country, company tends to hire PhD qualifications as technical support specialist.

All depends on you. IF you want to graduate faster, get a coursework based MS and get into the job market and start earning cash.

adrian kohsf on Wed Jan 19 12:03:42 2011 said:

It also depends in what kind of field you want to work...

I can tell you one thing: in europe, having a PhD does bring in the big bucks.. (not if you stay at university, or research).
(and for science, a PhD in something like history of langauges, thats not really "hot").

I think the USA its the same or maybe a bit different because they have more PhD's (something they told me, not sure if its true?).

What is a generally accepted thing is that when you have your PhD you do make it harder on yourself to get certain jobs that can also be done by people with a lower degree (people need to get paid according to their degree so paying a PhD person to do a task that a Msc or Bsc can do... or is this only true in europe and not in de usa? I suppose they have payscales in the usa too?).

But a lot depends also on what you are after: if you want an academic career (combined with research or research alone) you really need that PhD in most cases..

If you do not want this.. a Msc can do just fine..

An alternative to being a grant jockey is to work your way into administration. There are different stresses, to be sure, but administrative faculty would be a comfortable job to support a family.