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pennydorka · 11-01-2006, 04:40 AM

Hi All,
I am soon going to finish my Master's in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Biosystems engineering (Biotech related). And am confused as to what my next step should be- a PhD. or a job followed by MBA?
One thing for sure, I am looking for a career that provides me an opportunity to grow professionally and intellectually. I understand that both pathways have their pros and cons. ANd I am trying to assimilate all of them right now.

My Questions/concerns...

1) Does doing a PhD. imply that I will be circling around research all my life? I might diversify in the field of research or climnb up the research group but I doubt if I will ever be part of a big multinational and be involved in the decision making process.

2) Can a Master's in Biotechnology with no work experience land me a consulting job? Is it possible to eventually start my own consulting company 8-10 years down the line? Or is it a better idea to do a PhD. (which is in the same field as my Master's)?

3) What if I do decide to do a job and then an MBA? Is it easy enough to pursuade companies to finance your education for MBA? Or it takes more than 3 years to convince them to sponser you in most situations? If I do an MBA I want to get it from one of the best B schools in N. America, so it is bound to be expensive.

4) How demanding is job as an MBA professional? WIll I get time for my family? My family is important to me, even though I am not committed yet, I plan to settle down in the next 3-4 years.

5) Could you suggest a realistic time-frame I should expect to do an MBA ihn? Keeping in mind that I don't really have finances for it right now, and hope my employers to help me with that? Or is taking a student loan a better idea?

6) I doubt if working in an inustrial environment after PhD. is laid-back ...probably the industry does set deadlines... what do you think?

7) Being a Chemical Engineer, I might be expected to do field jobs but I am not sure if I can do that kind of work more than two years in a row...I would then need to find a more stable job that provides innovation challenges rather than just shaping up my practical knowledge.

8) I am afraid work will become monotonous as a chemical engineer in the industry. Any feedback on that?

Please send in all the feedbacks that you can,
Thanks in advance.

11-01-2006, 04:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
pennydorka Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: delhi, india Posts: 29	Re: Deciding between PhD and a Job followed by MBA... Hi All, I am soon going to finish my Master's in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Biosystems engineering (Biotech related). And am confused as to what my next step should be- a PhD. or a job followed by MBA? One thing for sure, I am looking for a career that provides me an opportunity to grow professionally and intellectually. I understand that both pathways have their pros and cons. ANd I am trying to assimilate all of them right now. My Questions/concerns... 1) Does doing a PhD. imply that I will be circling around research all my life? I might diversify in the field of research or climnb up the research group but I doubt if I will ever be part of a big multinational and be involved in the decision making process. 2) Can a Master's in Biotechnology with no work experience land me a consulting job? Is it possible to eventually start my own consulting company 8-10 years down the line? Or is it a better idea to do a PhD. (which is in the same field as my Master's)? 3) What if I do decide to do a job and then an MBA? Is it easy enough to pursuade companies to finance your education for MBA? Or it takes more than 3 years to convince them to sponser you in most situations? If I do an MBA I want to get it from one of the best B schools in N. America, so it is bound to be expensive. 4) How demanding is job as an MBA professional? WIll I get time for my family? My family is important to me, even though I am not committed yet, I plan to settle down in the next 3-4 years. 5) Could you suggest a realistic time-frame I should expect to do an MBA ihn? Keeping in mind that I don't really have finances for it right now, and hope my employers to help me with that? Or is taking a student loan a better idea? 6) I doubt if working in an inustrial environment after PhD. is laid-back ...probably the industry does set deadlines... what do you think? 7) Being a Chemical Engineer, I might be expected to do field jobs but I am not sure if I can do that kind of work more than two years in a row...I would then need to find a more stable job that provides innovation challenges rather than just shaping up my practical knowledge. 8) I am afraid work will become monotonous as a chemical engineer in the industry. Any feedback on that? Please send in all the feedbacks that you can, Thanks in advance.

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