Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 9/30/2009

Question
I graduated a few years ago with my BS in Biological Sciences. Despite taking a few years off after graduating, it's always been my plan to go on to grad school to obtain my PhD. However, as I've begun applying, I'm becoming increasingly uncertain if it's really the best choice. I love science and can't really imagine doing anything else, but I'm worried about being able to find a career in it. My plan was to go into medical research, the problem being that I don't want to be a professor at a university, nor end up as a post-doc forever. I also can't see myself spending the rest of my life doing QC in an industry lab. I'm starting to think that it may be a good idea to switch career fields into something I know I can finish training in a few years, then have a pretty solid chance to find permenant employment. The thought of leaving the science field makes me really sad, but I don't see a lot of options. Do you have any advice or recommendations? I'd appreciate anything you can provide. Thank you.

Answer
Dear Rachel,

While the job market isn't great these days, there are still many options for employment, especially if you have a higher academic degree.  It will open more doors for you, and will also make you better able to apply for jobs with higher salaries.

While things may be slow in many sectors, there will always be a need for medical technicians, scientific researchers, science teachers, environmental researchers...the list goes on.  Science is the future, and I truly believe that if you have a science education, you will be much more marketable in *any* field than if you move away from science.  

This doesn't mean you shouldn't take helpful classes in other areas that interest you (you don't say what they are:  business?  music?  dance?  writing?), as they can enhance your marketability as a "human resource" to some institution or company.  But a degree in science tells the employer that you are smart, able to solve problems, and are tenacious enough to do the rigorous, challenging work to get that higher degree.  The science education will not only make you a wiser, more critically-thinking person, but it will tell others that's what you are.

You will have to follow your heart, in the end.  But since you asked my opinion...now you have it.  

Hope that helps.

Dana