To be, or not to be, a graduate student

That is the question. The million dollar question! While we may not soliloquize our internal debate like Shakespeare’s Hamlet, we’ve all asked ourselves this question. Going to graduate school for a Ph.D. is not a decision to be made lightly. One must take several factors into account, both personal and professional, before embarking on the epic journey that is a graduate dissertation. The decision to go to graduate school is a highly personal one; it may seem imperative for one person while entirely unnecessary for another. The one thing it should not be, however, is the path of least resistance, stresses Maggie Kuo, the author of “Should you go to graduate school.” While noting that a Ph.D. can be a fantastic opportunity for personal and professional development, Kuo reminds us that it comes with substantial costs which we must consider, since a Ph.D. may not necessarily be required and indeed not favored for specific positions. Using examples of scientists from various fields, in different professional capacities, she writes about how one can continue to flourish in the scientific arena with or without a graduate degree. Kuo discusses the career paths and life experiences of three scientists. Paris Grey loved science and wanted to continue with bench work, but did not fancy the rigors of becoming a Principal Investigator and running a lab. She decided to start out as a lab technician, and after 23 years, her role in the lab where she first started as a technician progressed immensely. She now has her own research projects, manages lab personnel, trains undergraduates and is the coordinator of research programs. Unlike Grey, chemical engineer Ian Faulkner decided to go into industry after completing a combined bachelor’s–master’s degree program. Faulkner realized his role in the industry was not sustainable and decided to head to graduate school. After two rounds of applications he is now a third-year Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington. He suggests that for students who would like to keep their options open and not entirely commit to an academic track, getting work experience before going to grad school might be a good idea. Last but not the least, Kuo’s discussion with Krystine Yu shows that work experience in the industry can reaffirm the fact that one does not necessarily need an advanced degree to excel at scientific pursuits. While Yu considered going back to grad school after several years in the industry, she ultimately has moved to a position that does not require a Ph.D. Instead, she is looking into weekend or evening classes to get a Master’s degree in business or engineering which may help open up new possibilities. My journey to graduate school was somewhat circuitous and similar to Faulkner’s. After completing my Master of Science degree with a focus on biotechnology, I went on to a bench research position in a biotherapeutics manufacturing company in India. It seemed like an excellent opportunity to get some real-world experience in the industry, away from the somewhat sheltering environment of academia. However, I soon realized that despite the fast-paced industry, the extensive resources and technological advantages, I was a small cog in a vast machine. I craved the opportunity to dig deep into one particular project and learn to be a better scientist; to hone my analytical thinking abilities. I also recognized that to be able to manage projects autonomously, and not be shunted from one project to another I needed to get a Ph.D. Not only did I decide to go back to graduate school two years after I completed my Master’s degree, but I challenged myself to apply to schools in the United States to obtain the best possible graduate training. Adjusting to the mindset of a student after having worked full time in the industry was no small task, mainly when it came to textbook knowledge and coursework. Despite the sometimes rollercoaster-like ride of grad school, it is a decision I have never come to regret. Although I chose to go back to grad school, I have also known several scientists, both in the industry and academia who have been perfectly content in carving out a career in science without going through the rigors of grad school. They contribute to science in various ways, including but not limited to bench research, laboratory management, quality control and assurance, scientific writing, technology transfer, etc. There are some very tangible costs of getting a Ph.D. such as devoting five or more years of your productive adult life with little financial returns. More often than not, it exerts a toll on one’s relationships, family life, and even mental health. And last but not the least, it can more than firmly entrench young scientists in the dreaded paradox of being over-qualified but under-experienced when looking for non-academic positions, while their future in academia continues to be bleak. With all that said and done, going to grad school should be a very deliberate choice. Consider the pros and cons of going to grad school and choose with your eyes wide open! If you decide to get a Ph.D. or are already on your way to getting one, take a look at our previous post about some required reading for young scientists!