PhD or Job? Which one is best for you?

In this video, I am going to go through the benefits and contrasts between doing a PhD or getting a job.
0:00 - introduction
0:44 - my experience
2:04 - the path of least resistance
4:22 - money rules
6:59 - commercial outcomes
8:20 - timelines
9:43 - jobs are better paid than a PhD
11:28 - industry collaborations with academia
12:23 - why not both a PhD and a job
14:14 - outro

[@valeriapinatelliugarte3761]

Thank you SO much for your video!! You made me realize that the reason I struggled with my first job as a software developer was that my brain was trained to deliver excellent results in longer timelines and not really care about the budget, since universities can sustain a student for years and the start-ups were I was working had a tight budget and wanted fast progress, didn't need to be perfect. In the US they don´t allow you to have a second job during the PhD. Now that I have seen this video, it might be worth looking for some other countries which are less restricted. Also helped me a lot to hear you say that I can always come back to academia if I feel like it. THANK YOU!

[@ycz1931]

literally just had a two hours long phone call with my parents about it, then saw this, so useful and spooky

[@fighterinmkiwiscience3517]

What did you choose

[@marie-fi5rt]

U re lucky

[@randomperson5852]

I think it should be mentioned that getting a PhD does not naturally increase your earnings above to such an extent that the opportunity cost of a PhD outways lost wages. Usually, for most people, a bachelor's degree and sometimes a master's degree is the better option.

[@salma9934]

Completely confused here after joining PhD, almost in the verge of quitting because of course work struggle. Feel that company jobs are much better than doing a struggling PhD.

[@aiyanaela6480]

It seems so doesn't it why slog away another 3 to 4 years of your life when you can just go straight into work instead. I really think the B Sc could probably be enough.

[@fighterinmkiwiscience3517]

​@@aiyanaela6480did you got job

[@tylergleckler]

Hey Andy, MSc student in chemistry here and currently trying to make this very decision. Unlike many similar channels I feel you really do give some very helpful insight and advice. Thanks for your content!

[@adamfalah3884]

What did you decide, and how did you make that decision?

[@tylergleckler]

@@adamfalah3884, I decided to leave it with the master's and go the entrepreneurship route. Everyone's situation is different, but I've been very happy with where my career has gone, and I feel it was the right decision for me. It came down to what kind of life I wanted to live, what my priorities were, the various opportunity costs, etc. In hindsight, I think it's as simple as thinking deeply and going with not only what makes sense on paper but what feels right. And most importantly, with whatever decision you make, commit to it, and enjoy the path you've taken!

[@ruvilynnm9024]

Thank you. This is the best advice I've ever heard on PhDs

[@mdasifrezwanshishir742]

Keep them coming Doc!! Excellent video..as always

[@nicole4779]

I’ve been in industry for about 13 years and applying to PhD programs for next fall. I’m a molecular biologist. Ideally I’d like to find a program that allows me to work, while pursuing my PhD. Your commentary about industry vs academia is SPOT ON. Because of the massive amount of people graduating in the US with PhDs in the biological sciences, not having one is limiting people from reaching higher pay-scales and upper-level industry positions in the pharmaceutical industry.

[@manasiemuralidharan1928]

Thank you, that was wonderful!

[@pixameha]

As always, great video!! I am right now at that point. I started my PhD 4 months ago but I am thinking about whether this is m best option or not. I know that there are many possibilities during the PhD like doing internships but on the other hand, it feels like as an engineer I might be losing my time here. Great advice though.

[@adameddouss4802]

Love this! thank youu!

[@quillheart877]

I want to get a PhD for the same reasons some people train for and run marathons. It won't benefit society as a whole, it will be stressful and a lot of work, and it sure as hell won't help make me money or further my career. But I still want to do it for the experience, the challenge, and the love for the activity. However, unlike training a marathon, I can't get a PhD as an activity outside of a day job :(

[@mitchellreynolds4896]

I went into industry after undergrad. I've considered a PhD for the past couple years but as he says: The income is "bloody fantastic." Also, I was the first in my family to go to uni and still ended up with student debt (even working FT throughout uni). Smh After this video & others, I'd like to find a position in industry that pays for my Master's / PhD. Thank you for all the advice Andy!

[@josecantu8195]

@Mitchell Reynolds I'm thinking of doing this as well! Hope your journey goes well!

[@Katadori09]

For me, it comes down to this. Do you want to have reasonable hours, a comfortable salary/benefits, and some degree of autonomy (but not completely)? Do you not care about seeing your work products go to consumer households, or getting much notoriety for your work? Work at a national lab or other government facility. Do you want to maximize your compensation? Do you not care about autonomy or notoriety at all, and can you tolerate regular lay-off cycles? Are you okay with long hours? Do you want to see your work product in households? Go to industry. Do you want complete autonomy, feel fulfilled by helping other people start their careers, and want a shot at notoriety? Can you tolerate a lower wage, longer hours, and complete responsibility when it comes to getting funding/etc? Go to academia. Do you not consider laboratory research all that exciting? Are you burned out from writing papers and being on the lab result treadmill? But you still don’t want your past experience to be a waste? Go into management, ip law, outreach, policy, or non-profits adjacent to your field of expertise. Do you just want to use your phd as a stepping stone to get into even more money, and you don’t even care to stay anywhere near your field of study? Go into consulting, investment banking, or data science.

[@itsamani7094]

thank you for this video. it's so crazy to see it now after two minutes of reading about a PhD scholarship. I got my master's degree in pharmaceutical science in Feb. and ever science I was looking for a job while wondering if it's the right thing to do. this video was so helpful to me and address a lot of the questions in my head. could you please tell me which position I can apply to and not considered overqualified? I live between Jordan and Saudi Arabia ( in the Middle East) and this is my problem right now.

[@Morgan-ci3bf]

Excellent video! As a black female presenting person getting my masters degree, I feel conflicted as I know the multiple systems at play in not pursuing a job in industry after graduating. After watching your video I am leaning towards going into industry ( for the more secure lifestyle), while pursuing my PhD in the longer timeframe. I would love to find a company that allows that in academic research! If you have any suggestions in the USA, I’d love to hear it! Thank you I liked & subscribed!

[@vitorribeirosa]

Thanks for your videos. Unfortunately, I discovered them after getting my PhD in July. The way you share your experiences helps a lot to take informed decisions. PhD is a process which is going to take part of your youth away. I do recommend this experience once you have a purpose. As a former international student in Japan, I must say it is a lonely path that will drag you to a spiral of doubts. Be tenacious during these 3-4 years.

[@kap849]

Oh wow. I can only imagine. I did my undergrad and grad school in Japan and I don't wanna know my PhD there. Wanna go to a country with family around.

[@alfredaxl392]

I am doing a construction job in geotechnical engineering company and having 2 days of PhD at the same time. It is true that it is such a rare opportunity and it's quite good

[@liveyourdream5611]

I just graduated and got offered a job in a company in South Korea. I also saw this Ph.D. job paid almost the same for the moment, and I really don't know what to do. I have to do a Ph.D. due to my plans of teaching in the future while running my own business. But I also need some experience in my field Geotechnical Engineering. If I choose to do a Ph.D. rather than working I probably will have to give up on building experience in a company not to mention that my financial situation won't evolve. I am going through so much stress right after my Master's degree stresses. Could you recommend me?

[@domenicapincay8313]

​@@liveyourdream5611Hello, I'm struggling now too about which one is the Best option. Which decision You took?

[@saloonnee]

Hello, could you also cover how and where to apply for Jobs after MS in Life Sciences? I'm not sure if I should go for a PhD that's why I want to work for a year or two before to understand which would be better for me. thanks :)

[@AhmedEmamAI1]

I am writing my master thesis, can you make a video about the master phase? great respect for your work

[@passbook747]

Informative.thanks from INDIA.

[@ScholarStream_25]

So kya karne ka socha hai ?

[@aiyanaela6480]

I guess it depends if you apply to both and see what offers you get but there is jobs shortage, suppose you don't get offered a job but a PhD or vice versa go for the best opportunity at that moment in time.

[@sandalye2826]

An undergrad student here. 2 separate PhD offers look like a possibility but nothing is set yet (I didn't apply and have a poor Gpa, weird), I got sucked into a particular field, , that I had not particular interest in, just a butterfly effect, but the thrill of research and playing detective is quite alluring and compensates the lack of interest. I don't know if I should pursue. During my Eng. undergrad living off an average 4-5h sleep, broke and dealing with strange people and finally burning out after 4 years, weirdly enough, I'm still not satisfied and want more! what is wrong with me :). Maybe it is a comfort zone thing like you said. Having great pay to do a PhD sounds like the dream

[@Katadori09]

You got two offers for PhD programs without even applying, with a low gpa? How did that happen? Sounds suspect.

[@SzilviaVirag]

Both... at the same time. Unless you're part of someone else's time limited project. Peter Roget took 12 years to finish and publish his thesaurus so it's no big deal doing it part time if it's about a topic of huge importance to the person (and if it isn't, then why do it?).

[@imadn4147]

phD is all about study of interest and scientific passion , if you only cares about money that's alright, but phD is not for you.

[@MRmdmJk]

hey Andy. great video! I am just curious if you have come across anyone doing a full time PhD and still managed to work part time in the industry? Do you think that's something possible for PhD in engineering in Australia particularly?

[@jabr_svall]

I live in Sweden and here is quite common to become a Ph.D. when working at a company. As long as the company supports your work it is possible. Of course, there needs to be a deal, where students can at least focus during 5 years on 80% research and then the rest you can deliver to the company.

[@naveenkumarkewalramani]

What are your views on starting a startup during PhD?

[@hantu4321]

20000$ job I'd totally consider job Vs PhD. How get a 75000$/year stipend PhD I'd totally go PhD. I'm also thinking of PhD and job same time as I need to buy food

[@meteor2012able]

After 8 years at a major university, I lost my career...and went into prison mental health services. Happy 😊 happy move. Get a job 🎉 is good advice! 😊

[@user-zh5mp5zt4c]

How if I take a Ph.d abroad to get a job abroad ? Is it a good idea ?

[@shireendhar7120]

Is it accurate to assume that many people from developing countries (Like India) may choose a paid PhD opportunity over a job in their own nation? I feel this to be one of the biggest motivations to improve my QoL

[@arrow2380]

It's because the job scenario in India is bad... like REALLY BAD. Like a fresher on average gets 20-25k per rupees per month unless you're from the top 40-50 institutions whereas a PhD may offer 37-42k per month stipend tax free.

[@shireendhar7120]

stipend abroad? @@arrow2380

[@omartaher9861]

You're the best. I'm going into a PhD.

[@chocolateshogun2511]

Can you compare a PHD versus an Applied Doctorate? Thanks.

[@saloonnee]

What is an Applied doctorate? Would be interesting to know

[@MrKrisw12]

In applied doctorate You are doing the PhD in the R&D department of some company. You have one tutor in company and supervisor in Academia. Your work should finish in some application, e.g. development of some new technology, which will be used by this company. You are getting scholarship from Uni and payoff from company. There started with such a programme one year ago in Poland.

[@kaavyasri2705]

Quite rich: Go for PhD... If not, go to Job... For job seeking PhD is like writing extra exam to get promotion in job

[@alihesri3746]

What kind of work some one get with PhD in electrical engineering instead of academia

[@michaelwright8896]

engineering

[@fggamesoft4949]

I would work in job much better.

[@fggamesoft4949]

Fast food chain.

[@tmnt3998]

or mental hospital ! :D in my case

[@user-bx5zl3fo2z]

Andy's next hiring call will be from IS!S