Tough choices, tough decisions
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TimRuns
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Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 10062
Location: Coquitlam, British Columbia
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 Posted: 12/14/05 - 02:13 Post subject: Tough choices, tough decisions
I'm currently wracking my brains about my career path, and will be for the next few months or so...Yes, I've submitted my grad school application to Yale and won't be hearing from them anytime soon till January (for an interview) and not until March for final admission status. I don't know what my chances are so I'm also in the process of applying to 2 other places nearby (maybe more) just in case I don't make it over there.
The first place is on the practical side...I get my diploma in about 13 months and includes intensive coursework and lots of work experience (via a 7-8 month practicum)..I'll get certification as a lab tech and will get started in a hospital/biotech company at an entry level wage of 40-60k/year. However the subject material is only so-so to me in terms of interest level. Entry is also competitive and comes with many hurdles...paperwork, financial stuff, interview.
The second option is to go with graduate studies at a nearby university (2 years Master's). I was rejected by one earlier already as the guy was looking for someone with more experience (Phd or higher).
I already contacted and met up with another prof today, including touring his lab facilities (he's a research scientist working on transgenic salmon/trout). Turns out I really like the stuff that he does. He's still waiting for government funding, which should be in by the end of this month so he will give me a definite answer by then if he's willing to take me in next September (also 2 of his grad students are finishing up their projects, which means that he's more willing to take in new students).
Downside is that it will take longer and if I decide to carry on with it, even longer.
I'm in a dilemma right now...both options look attractive...I just hope it's either one or the other...If I do get accepted to both then i have a problem 
Any advice as to where to go from here?
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cdnhollywood
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Joined: 05 Oct 2004
Posts: 1538
Location: Ottawa, Canada
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Posted: 12/14/05 - 09:58 Post subject:
I'm always one for higher education, so personally I'd go for option 2. But that's just me. There's absolutely nothing wrong with option 1.
I think you'd be looking at hitting the ceiling earlier with option 1, but perhaps a harder entry into the profession (HR needs to pay you more, position availability,etc) with option 2.
Not sure if this helps, but I did two B.Sc.'s rather than a B.Sc + M.Sc. because my entry costs for the employer were lower. M.Sc. automatically had a higher price point, which made them a bit less attractive during the hiring process. I came in cheaper, but with two degrees (my skill base was larger).
I seem to think that your interest in graduate studies is genuine enough that it should be strongly considered. Doing grad stuff after working for a while is really tough to do (so I hear). It might be the kind of thing to do now rather than later.
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
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Posted: 12/14/05 - 10:13 Post subject:
Wow! Congrats on so many options!
So, if you take option number two, is there any type of study you can do to fill your time?
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Running Brewer
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Joined: 12 Oct 2004
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Location: Santa Poco
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Posted: 12/14/05 - 10:19 Post subject:
This is a tough decision, the hard part is to know what will interest you in 5 years. I know many people who thought they knew what they wanted to do only to find out that they didn't. Money is nice but you can't beat enjoying your work, the days are so much better when you don't hate going to work.
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TimRuns
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Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 10062
Location: Coquitlam, British Columbia
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Posted: 12/14/05 - 12:10 Post subject:
| airehead wrote: | Wow! Congrats on so many options!
So, if you take option number two, is there any type of study you can do to fill your time? |
It will be a 2-year long research project (topic yet to be determined) and I will have to write up a thesis (and defend it), which will be due at the end of the 2-year period. If research and coursework are going well in the 1st year, I may have the option of upgrading to Phd after taking a comprehensive exam...that will take 5 years total.
In the meantime I'll get financial support from the supervisor and working as a TA/RA (research assistant).
I think what I'll do is I'll apply for both and hopefully one or the other will be a 'yes'.
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blue
your favorite weapon
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Joined: 21 May 2002
Posts: 7010
Location: armed and ambitious
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Posted: 12/14/05 - 12:21 Post subject:
here's a fun thought -
finish college in the field you want, get a job in said field, hate said job less then 3 months in, and figure out all over again what you want to do with the rest of you life (which apparently doesn't include working for someone else)...
that said - at least you can start at 40-60k, if even it's mild interest and a starting point for later on... by comparison i'll pull in 20k this year, about 4k lower then the industry avg starting wage...
you have good options. you really can't go wrong with either choice. if you want something (ie. the masters) go get it.
the key is to being interested in what you do, and finding a place that will nuture it. (instead of waste it *coughimbitterightnowcough*
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blue
your favorite weapon
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Joined: 21 May 2002
Posts: 7010
Location: armed and ambitious
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Posted: 12/14/05 - 12:22 Post subject:
| TimRuns wrote: |
I think what I'll do is I'll apply for both and hopefully one or the other will be a 'yes'. |
definately apply for both.
your options change when someone tells you 'no'.
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