PhD or no PhD - (Nov/23/2008 )

Hi,

I'm studying biomedical sciences in Belgium. Next year I can start a PhD project.
The problem is that I don't really know if this is something for me.
Are here persons who are busy with a PhD project and want to share there experiences with me?
Thanks a lot

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great day to you;

just before, i have two question to you!
what kind of experiences exactly you want to share?

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would you advice me to try it? Or would you say that it's really hard, and you have to be 100 % sure that this is what you want.
What kind of options do you have after a PhD, if you don't want to do a post doc?
Stuff like negative and positive thinks about a PhD degree.

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PhD is a great adeventure! It can bring the best of you if you have a well intentionned PI, or make you leave science if your PI is a not-so-fine type of person.

You have to keep in mind that PhD is a demanding degree. You could have to work on week-ends, or at night. But once again, it all depends on your PI/project. If the science behind your project asks for night shift, you must not be afraid to do so. But if it don't, you could have a perfectly normal schedule and work from 9 to 5, monday to friday.

As for the career options, it could range from lab assistant, to teacher, to r&d in science companies, etc. Post-doc are done by people wishing to become a PI, either in a University or in a science company.

Hope this helps!

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I also know it's a little different in Europe than in the US.
In Europe it's much harder to get 'lower-end' jobs with a higher degree. If you want to keep on working on your own project, you ussually have that option as a research tech which you only need a Bachelor or Masters. It's harder to get a job like this with a PhD. simply because they usually have enough people wanting this job with a lesser degree and lesser pay. In the US you can get these easier with a higher degree... But that also depends on where you are.
I really think most importantly is what do you want?
If you have a lot of research idea's and want to have your own group eventually, you should go for you PhD. No doubt about it.
Either way as mentioned before, it's a very interesting adventure!

Good luck deciding!

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