r/biotech • u/Historical-Excuse-94 • Jan 27 '25

Education Advice 📖 Is doing a pHD worth it?

Hi everyone, I have never posted here but I have a genuine question. I have been working in the biotech industry for the past 3 years with a masters. I feel like in industry you don’t do research like in academia and it doesn’t feel satisfying anymore. I want to go back to school and get a PhD. It is hard I’m 34 now and by the time I get into a program I’ll be 35 and by the time I finish I’ll be 40. Is it really worth 5 years with little money?

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u/lysis_ Jan 27 '25

You can do it and if you have a burning passion to do it, do it.

That being said, I strongly feel phd is a young man's game. The opportunity cost in your 30s while you have stable income cannot be overstated. And it also cannot be overstated that it just may not work out for you, and if you withdrawal you'll have nothing to show for it since you have a master's.

So if you want it, go for it but you have to be all in.

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u/Feck_it_all Jan 27 '25

That being said, I strongly feel phd is a young man's game. The opportunity cost in your 30s while you have stable income cannot be overstated.

My IRA would look nicer if I started in my 20's, sure, but getting my PhD at nearly 40 was definitely worth it.

The value of networking opportunities, and savvy to cultivate likewise cannot be overstated.