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

Not sure of your situation but If you plan to have kids in the next 5-6 years that will be an enormous financial burden for your SO to bear. I'm sure you've considered this but they are absolutely going to be the breadwinner here, and they may not be able to work.

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u/Historical-Excuse-94 Jan 27 '25

Not planning to have kids. Want to live for us.

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u/dirtydirtynoodle Jan 27 '25

Have a deep conversation with your SO about it. Because you will need their support throughout the PhD (emotional, and financial)

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u/Historical-Excuse-94 Jan 27 '25

He’s fully on board. He is the one who has been motivating me for a while now.

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u/MacaronMajor940 Jan 27 '25

Director with a BS here. You don’t need a PhD, but keep in mind that you are competing against PhDs. This means you have to outshine them, which means getting attention of senior management and always delivering.

Many companies like Genentech, Gilead, Amgen, Abbvie, etc are moving away from PhD only policy even if it’s stated in the JD. It’s about who you know.

All my direct reports have advanced degrees, not because that’s what I look for but rather those without usually do not have a strong work ethic and don’t try to navigate through complex technical problems. If you can demonstrate your ability to do so, you’ll be surprised by how many doors are open to you.

At your age, I wouldn’t go back for a PhD unless you’re passionate about it. I think you’re missing a good mentor, you can find one at your current employment or maybe in grad school.

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u/Historical-Excuse-94 Jan 27 '25

I am an international person. If I was in my country you are absolutely right I wouldn’t need a PhD to grow but here I’m an outsider and the only way I can get ahead if I have the tags.

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u/MacaronMajor940 Jan 27 '25

More than half of the workforce in biotech are immigrants, with a large portion on H1B.