Story of my life..

[allantheboss]

I'm in my final year of Biomedical Science at Uni. I'm good at it, and can easily get funded PhD research positions. But there's a catch: I don't really enjoy it. I do, however, love motorcycles and the idea of having a job where I can be more sociable and creative. Thus, here are my options:

1. Accept a PhD.
Pros: £16-17kpa quid tax-free each year. Will be "Dr." Allan Barnard at the end. May enjoy it. Get to stick with the student life for 3 more years. Unlikely to struggle finding a job. Salary seems to be ~£35-45kpa after a post-doc (so about 5 years from now) and gradually rises with experience and could be looking at the best part of 6-figures after 20 years (but of course this is not certain).
Cons: Don't particularly like science at the moment, so there is a risk I won't grow to enjoy research. Will spend 3 years doing something before possibly moving onto something else starting at square one again.

2. Switch paths and make bridges into the motorcycle industry (by getting a job in marketing/sales/advertising).
Pros: Will theoretically enjoy it and have more motivation. Opportunity to be creative. I think I'd be very good at it and will get to exercise my (highly acclaimed) social skills. Get to wear a suit. I'm drawn to the business world's pace.
Cons: Low starting salary, probably around £20kpa. No experience. Very popular career choice for graduates at the moment so competition will be large, but more importantly, it will be more difficult to stand out and climb the ladder. Likely that my first few years gaining experience would not be in the motorcycle industry. Risky- there's a chance I may not like it albeit less chance than with research.


I've thought "what's the real loss if I do a PhD, become a Dr and then make the switch?" But, it's 3 years I may really not enjoy, which is a loss, and 3 years I could be climbing the ranks of another career.


Of course, hints, tips, and general suggestions are greatly appreciated! If anybody actually has any affiliation with anybody in the motorbiking/marketing/sales/advertising sectors, I would seriously, deeply appreciate being put in contact so that I can learn more or get some brief experience to help make a decision. I can contact them any time and have C.V.s at the ready, so it will not be difficult to arrange. Any other career paths to consider which tick any creativity/motorcycles criteria, lemme know!

Here's me looking baddass in a suit so you know what I'd be like in the business sector:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/247869_10150209159651730_989918_n.jpg

[tigersaw]

I'd stay right there, sandwiched between those ladies.

[Specialone]

I'd feck off on a round the world trip and take those two for company provided they promise not to talk too much.


Seriously, IMO, don't waste your life, if you know you won't stay in the profession you're doing now, then change, life's too short, be determined and you'll get what you want.

[BanannaMan]

Go for the phd.
Then you'll have the time and money to play with motorcycles and you'll enjoy it more as it won't be your work, rather your escape from it.

What I'd do, but ultimately you need to look at long term what's best for you.

[Berlin]

+1 on the PHD. It'll open lots of doors later.

.. and if you still want to get into bikes later you can correctly call yourself a Bike Dr.!
:)

[yorkie_chris]

Do the PhD.

[dizzyblonde]

Do the PHD.


Plenty more folk fishing in the same pond for the motorcycle work. Guaranteed you will drop the study and get nowhere, regretting making the decision. At least finishing the lot, you then have two choices



In life, you should always try and give yourself two choices. I think following the bike will close one door.

[MisterTommyH]

Just a couple of points to be careful about - dont just assume that as a Dr. You'll get a suitable job. One of my mates got a PHD in Chemistry a few years back, then struggled to get a job in the computational area he'd researched. Jobs - yes. Relevant, PHD level jobs - not so much.

On the other hand be careful about making your hobby into your job. It's always useful to have a job that you enjoy, but at some time it will become 'work' with all the stresses that brings with it.... And you won't have that escape at the weekend because you've been doing it all week and need a change.

Just a few things to consider.

[timwilky]

I work in an environment where many senior management hold PhD qualification. But are no longer active in that aspect of their careers that required the PhD in the first place. i.e they have moved on as their careers have progressed.

One friend with a PhD in noise and vibration relating to steam turbines is now a heath and safety director for a large construction company. Another with a PhD in artificial intelligence now runs an international consultancy. another with a maths PhD in some weird Steiner series stuff is a project portfolio director for the Dept of Transport

Do the PhD. It is an opportunity many of us in later life wish we had been able to do. We look back at our own careers and see wasted opportunities that would have taken us in different career paths.

A qualification does not limit you to a single career.

[Littlepeahead]

I agree on the being careful about making a hobby a job. I love my job, working as a photographer in cricket and going to matches on my bike while getting paid is the perfect combination. However, these days I rarely have the time or enthusiasm to pick up my camera just for fun, I end up taking holiday to watch cricket and inevitably end up talking work with whoever is there as they are still working.

Also advertising isn't really very creative unless you are actually the Creative Director or Copy Writer. To be that you should probably have done a degree in something arty. I was an Account Manager for a very creative multi-discipline agency but spent most of my time sitting in dull meetings with clients, many of whom didn't have a creative bone in their body. Most companies, including I suspect anything motorcycle related, will employ an agency to do their marketing, PR and advertising. This means that if you are lucky you will get to work on an account for a product you like, such as a motorcycle brand, but at the same time could be working on an account for nappies, soft drinks, a telecomms company and a stationery chain store. Agencies cannot specialise in say the motorcycle industry as they can only have one account of one type at a time usually.

I know that all sounds a bit negative, it isn't meant to, and sometimes you should go for what you enjoy rather than what pays the best.

(p.s. I'm not sure you should wear a cravat for interviews)

[Specialone]

Don't want to sound morbid or wish any harm on anyone, but what happens two years in to his unwanted phd and he gets run over and loses his legs or worse, that's two years of potential fun doing the stuff he wanted to gone forever, just food for thought, high education isn't the answer to everyone's dreams and doesn't guarantee anything IMO.

[dizzyblonde]

Higher education isn't everything, expressed very much in the job hunt thread.

However, doing half of something can look quite defeatist, a bit like being morbid and using it as an excuse to follow a dream. Hiding behind a curtain of 'I've had enough of what I set out to accomplish' 'I want to paint my bum green and go diving in adverts' doesn't bode well for some. It carries on and on, and they never really settle

I will point out to the OP, I'm not suggesting you are defeatist, as we've seen you around here to know that....but going along the lines of SP1, that might well bite you on the bum when chasing whatever career path you choose.

[Owenski]

I cant speak for you as you're not me and we are not one. (You're smart you'll work it out).

However I can speak for myself, if I had the opportunity to get the Phd I'd be all over it!

Every jobsworth has a degree (I'm one), so IMO the masters is the new degree and a PHd ****es on a masters so go for it!
If nothing else then its a chance to be better at something than the majority of others. Dont look at is as where it will get you, just look as the phd as the objective, reassess thereafter.
What new race you face after that is your call, maybe switch to bikes, maybe you fancy become a porn actor. But who the hell cares what you decided to do, what matters is that you've not yet reached your educational limit.

Look at it this way; when you play a computer game do you get to level 10 of 20 without dying and just put down the controller and never return to complete the game. Or do you play until the game finishes you?
Of course you play it until you cant take it any further or you complete it, why should you education be any different. Ignore the new games on the shelf and finish this one you gaw'dam pussy!

[BBadger]

Im in the same position as you allanatheboss.
And i fully understand how you feel, as i love what i do and i dont think im half bad at it either as i have the offer for a Phd, but god is it tedious for me being stuck in a lab all day and sifting through literature for hours on end.
Like you i also like the idea of advertisement and creative side and after working in london for a photographic advertising company as a jr project manager it just confused me further as i still have the option to work on some very good project looking at anti cancer that seems to be going somewhere atm.
Just dont know which path to choose.

Then again i know of two people, one who did chemistry and is now employed by Avon for his tyre compound which he worked on as a masters, and a cousin who is very high up in ducati north america ( no qualifications, just knew everything there was about the bikes ). so opportunities are endless.

If you want it bad enough you can get there.

[Bri w]

Two things...

1) Turning your favourite past time into a job has the potential to leave you without a past time. I loved computers but since they've become such an integral part of working life I do very little with them outside of work. 35yrs ago I got offered a very good sponsorship deal from a large American company to become a professional golfer and I turned it down to continue playing fun golf - best decision I ever made.

2) As Owenski says, a degree is not a differentiator in today's job market but a Phd is.

Your life, your choice.

[Littlepeahead]

What new race you face after that is your call, maybe switch to bikes, maybe you fancy become a porn actor.

Now maybe that's something I could consider - as I get to play with bikes, cameras and cricketers for my job now, I could take up being in porn movies as a hobby. Owenski you are a genius.










Or maybe I'll just stick with baking cakes, at least I'm good at that.

[Purity14]

Do the Phd, enjoy the free money and spend it on what you love doing.
After you have the Phd - change and go into motorbikes.
When you are tired of having zero money and wishing you could make more...
then at that point you can go back to your previous profession.

I will bump this thread in 5 years time to this day, if you do anything but the above you are very very foolish, and we will all be very disappointed in you, and you will be even more disappointed in yourself.

3 years is NOTHING.

[Skybaba]

I will bump this thread in 5 years time to this day......

Hmmm.......timers ticking. Would be interesting to know how you also get on with your life in 5yrs from now.



if you do anything but the above you are very very foolish, and we will all be very disappointed in you, and you will be even more disappointed in yourself.


There are more than one ways to skin a cat......so are you saying Purity's way or no other?

[maviczap]

Stick with the Phd, its your insurance policy for life!

Once you've got it, then go and try something else, as then you've got it to fall back on, should everything fall apart.

Remember

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31awKeI0f2L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I'm sure you're just suffering from some kind of learning boredom, perhaps a break from it would re kindle your enthusiasm.

[coopesh56]

I'm my experience many people who have made their hobby their job (be it motorcycles or not...) usually ends up loosing their hobby fairly shortly afterwards,like someone's already said, bikes should be your escape from work..

One example is my mechanic, used to race bikes and ride to work everyday, no he doesn't even own a bike ... After being around them all day he said the last thing he wants to do is get on a bike .

[Thunderace]

Do the Phd!

It's all about the money! Whether you enjoy it or not is irrelevant! Financial security is what it's all about! Your bike is a toy, don't spoil it!

I have not read the entire thread but I'm sure someone will have chimed in with "do what you love", well that is a sure way to turn what you love into something you tolerate!

[Spank86]

Get the Phd. They you can tell people to trust you, you're a doctor.

[L3nny]

I loved video games when I was younger, played them all the time, went to college and learned programming to get into the industry.

At 21 I got my dream job in the games industry. Didn't bother with uni, what's the point? I've already got a job I enjoy.

After a few years it became tedious and it was a struggle to get up in the morning same as any other job. All my mates who went to uni were doing proper jobs and working their way towards something, not to mention earning twice as much as me. After 7 years I was desperate to leave but all the jobs I applied for tuned me down as I had no degree. In the end I took the first job I was offered which was on even less money. 5 years later I have worked my way up the company and am doing okay but I always think if I had done this a few years earlier I'd have been better off.

Doing a job you like is all well and good but having nice cars/bikes/houses is even better!

I hardly ever play games aymore either.

[missyburd]

I had the opportunity of taking up a PhD when I finished uni but I had to work hard for my science degree and at the end of three years I'd had enough of education and I don't regret my decision. I was aware I could go back and do a PhD if I really wanted to and I still consider it from time to time. You have the chance of a Biomedical PhD I'm assuming, you could do a lotta lotta good with one of those, it's a worthwhile field to be in.

I have a few friends who are studying for/gained their doctorates and the amount of stress they've been through...at least they're getting paid for it eh? I think it's just as gruelling a task for a lass to make it in the academic world these days as it ever used to be, men still dominate (in that sector anyway). Obviously, you being a bloke should stand you in good stead ;)

The perks of a PhD can be amazing depending on your area of research, talking at conferences abroad, networking with top end scientists, nudging elbows with the best experts in your field...but it wasn't for me. I admit you're looking at a guaranteed high starting wage (you'd bloody hope so after slogging your butt off for three-four years) and if you're focused and determined to reach the top then you will. But, as BBadger said, being stuck in a lab buried under paperwork is not best suited to everyone. And although you think you're getting all this cash tax free you don't end up with much to play with at all once your living expenses, transport costs and study materials are deducted.

Basically mate, if money makes your world go round then get on with the PhD. But I think you'll find it a LOT harder to get through to the end of it if you're not passionate about your research, just being "good at it" does not necessarily equate to the same thing. Three years might not seem a lot to those older members among us but when you are young it's a hell of a long time to commit to something you're not quite sure about.

If you know there's something you would be passionate about and enjoy now such as the motorcycling career and your instinct is telling you to go for it then listen, who knows how much time we have. Just make sure you've got all the facts about your chosen path, do as you are doing.

[chris8886]

Go for the phd.
Then you'll have the time and money to play with motorcycles and you'll enjoy it more as it won't be your work, rather your escape from it.

What I'd do, but ultimately you need to look at long term what's best for you.

Just a couple of points to be careful about - dont just assume that as a Dr. You'll get a suitable job. One of my mates got a PHD in Chemistry a few years back, then struggled to get a job in the computational area he'd researched. Jobs - yes. Relevant, PHD level jobs - not so much.

On the other hand be careful about making your hobby into your job. It's always useful to have a job that you enjoy, but at some time it will become 'work' with all the stresses that brings with it.... And you won't have that escape at the weekend because you've been doing it all week and need a change.

Just a few things to consider.

I'm my experience many people who have made their hobby their job (be it motorcycles or not...) usually ends up loosing their hobby fairly shortly afterwards,like someone's already said, bikes should be your escape from work..

One example is my mechanic, used to race bikes and ride to work everyday, no he doesn't even own a bike ... After being around them all day he said the last thing he wants to do is get on a bike .

I had the opportunity of taking up a PhD when I finished uni but I had to work hard for my science degree and at the end of three years I'd had enough of education and I don't regret my decision. I was aware I could go back and do a PhD if I really wanted to and I still consider it from time to time. You have the chance of a Biomedical PhD I'm assuming, you could do a lotta lotta good with one of those, it's a worthwhile field to be in.

I have a few friends who are studying for/gained their doctorates and the amount of stress they've been through...at least they're getting paid for it eh? I think it's just as gruelling a task for a lass to make it in the academic world these days as it ever used to be, men still dominate (in that sector anyway). Obviously, you being a bloke should stand you in good stead ;)

The perks of a PhD can be amazing depending on your area of research, talking at conferences abroad, networking with top end scientists, nudging elbows with the best experts in your field...but it wasn't for me. I admit you're looking at a guaranteed high starting wage (you'd bloody hope so after slogging your butt off for three-four years) and if you're focused and determined to reach the top then you will. But, as BBadger said, being stuck in a lab buried under paperwork is not best suited to everyone. And although you think you're getting all this cash tax free you don't end up with much to play with at all once your living expenses, transport costs and study materials are deducted.

Basically mate, if money makes your world go round then get on with the PhD. But I think you'll find it a LOT harder to get through to the end of it if you're not passionate about your research, just being "good at it" does not necessarily equate to the same thing. Three years might not seem a lot to those older members among us but when you are young it's a hell of a long time to commit to something you're not quite sure about.

If you know there's something you would be passionate about and enjoy now such as the motorcycling career and your instinct is telling you to go for it then listen, who knows how much time we have. Just make sure you've got all the facts about your chosen path, do as you are doing.

i couldn't agree more with these points, tis all about weighing things up for you! if you turn something you love ie. motorbikes into a career it can quite often become something you fall completly out of love with (not always the case, but it can and does happen!). i would say try speaking to fallout, i seem to remember he posted something fairlhy similar to this not all that long ago, see what he's done, how he's combating the problem etc.

Get the Phd. They you can tell people to trust you, you're a doctor.

man i would love to be able to do that, you do talk a bit of 'sense' on the odd occasion spank! lol

[Specialone]

I had the opportunity of taking up a PhD when I finished uni but I had to work hard for my science degree and at the end of three years I'd had enough of education and I don't regret my decision. I was aware I could go back and do a PhD if I really wanted to and I still consider it from time to time. You have the chance of a Biomedical PhD I'm assuming, you could do a lotta lotta good with one of those, it's a worthwhile field to be in.

I have a few friends who are studying for/gained their doctorates and the amount of stress they've been through...at least they're getting paid for it eh? I think it's just as gruelling a task for a lass to make it in the academic world these days as it ever used to be, men still dominate (in that sector anyway). Obviously, you being a bloke should stand you in good stead ;)

The perks of a PhD can be amazing depending on your area of research, talking at conferences abroad, networking with top end scientists, nudging elbows with the best experts in your field...but it wasn't for me. I admit you're looking at a guaranteed high starting wage (you'd bloody hope so after slogging your butt off for three-four years) and if you're focused and determined to reach the top then you will. But, as BBadger said, being stuck in a lab buried under paperwork is not best suited to everyone. And although you think you're getting all this cash tax free you don't end up with much to play with at all once your living expenses, transport costs and study materials are deducted.

Basically mate, if money makes your world go round then get on with the PhD. But I think you'll find it a LOT harder to get through to the end of it if you're not passionate about your research, just being "good at it" does not necessarily equate to the same thing. Three years might not seem a lot to those older members among us but when you are young it's a hell of a long time to commit to something you're not quite sure about.

If you know there's something you would be passionate about and enjoy now such as the motorcycling career and your instinct is telling you to go for it then listen, who knows how much time we have. Just make sure you've got all the facts about your chosen path, do as you are doing.

I agree Maria, only one to offer some sense from both sides of the fence :)

Money ain't everything in life (for me it's not anyhow) if it passes you by and you look back and have nothing but material things to show for it.

Too much emphasis (imo) is put on kids to get degrees etc which is why there is no manufacturing left and a load of ex grads with no jobs in their degree field.

[missyburd]

I agree Maria, only one to offer some sense from both sides of the fence :)

Money ain't everything in life (for me it's not anyhow) if it passes you by and you look back and have nothing but material things to show for it.

Too much emphasis (imo) is put on kids to get degrees etc which is why there is no manufacturing left and a load of ex grads with no jobs in their degree field.
Same here Phil, money is not the be all and end all to me, having come from a poor background I don't miss what I never had and although I feel privileged to have been able to attend university I've never felt pressured by my family to push on and "make the most of it". Things have happened very differently for me, I'm currently juggling three not very challenging jobs and have just recently decided on a bigger step forward into a career I actually wanted to do before uni (though my degree is still highly relevant).

Sometimes it takes a bit of time to adjust to an environment which suits you and to figure where you want to be and what you want from life, I'm thankful I've figured it sooner rather than later... (well 4 years after graduation but could be worse! :rolleyes:) You don't have to rush into the decision of a doctorate, they're available to folk of any age. Even if you took a couple of years to try out a change of heart and then decide to back to the Biomedical side of things, noone's going to hold it against you. Yes, it might take a bit longer to get back into the studying way of things but it's only like revision, going over old ground and jogging the memory.

[Spank86]

man i would love to be able to do that, you do talk a bit of 'sense' on the odd occasion spank! lol

Only when the occasion is odd enough though. :)

[Jayneflakes]

My Mrs and her brothers have all worked in the Motorcycle trade to some degree or another. The wife considers herself to be a Biker, she is also a fully qualified Motorcycle mechanic and then the senior Motorcycle instructor trainer (she trained people to be motor cycle instructors) in Weston for many years. She can talk for hours and get quite heated in her discussions, but she gave it all up because in the end she could not pay the bills unless she worked for seven days a week from spring until autumn.

Her Brothers are both senior people in a large Dealership in Bristol and although they make better money than her, it is not by much. Neither of them ride bikes anymore unless you count the push bike they use for the daily commute.

Biking is our hobby, we love bikes, we love bike culture and thus we do it as often as possible. I also love mountain Biking and Rock climbing. When I was a Outdoor Leader, I used to take people mountain biking and climbing every working day. I got paid to ride my mountain bike and to climb rock. As the weeks turned into months and then faded into years, I woke up every day knowing that I had to go to work doing my hobbies. It stopped being my hobby and became my obsession. In the end I burned out, but I had so much fun doing it. At the end, I realised that I no longer did my hobbies for me and then the joy faded. I also sustained a lot of injuries that still plague me to this day.

So choose wisely, A PhD is an amazing thing to have, but it has no guaranties of a job. Yet in this climate, what can give you that? Given the option I would gladly head back into Uni to read for my masters, because I am another drone with a toilet paper degree that cannot get the good job. So now I wipe other peoples bottoms for a living ( I am a carer, not a weirdo!) and am not much keen on that, I miss biking and climbing. :(

[Spank86]

Bear on mind you don't HAVE to put your Phd on a CV if you have it, but you can't put it on there if you don't.

[Lozzo]

Forget the bike trade because it's on its ar5e and will be for a long time yet. It is also still one of the most unprofessional markets around, being mainly staffed by enthusiasts who are not really businessmen or managers. The hours are long and unsociable, your own pleasure riding time is squeezed in when no-one else would want to, the pay is crap and eventually it kills your love of the best pastime you'll ever find.

Do the PhD

[Balky001]

so how is work Lozzo?? :)

agree, PhD would be my choice . It's a small period oof time in life and will stay with you forever and you never know when you'll get the chance to really spend time on eduction once at work.

[Lozzo]

so how is work Lozzo?? :)



Work is now outside of the bike trade. I got made redundant when the shop I managed was closed down. It's happening all over the country.

When a Kawasaki and Suzuki main dealer in a city like Cambridge can't make enough to keep the doors open because the market is taking a 15% to 20% decrease in sales year on year, you've got to wonder why anyone would want to get involved in it.

The specialist recruitment agencies are swamped with job vacancies for salesmen because huge numbers are leaving due to rapidly falling wages. The basic pay is usually crap (below minimum wage) with mediocre commission paid on sales... if you make any.

[jchu1988]

Do the PhD.
If you are crap at it/ not interested, you will be phased out at the upgrade vivas and get a MPhil instead. It will be 12-18 months lost but you will be paid and the economy might be in a better position when you leave.

[kaivalagi]

Do some more qualifications for sure, as lots have said a degree will not differentiate you from 1000's of others. However why does it have to be 3 more years with a phD? An MSc would still get you noticed, would work towards a phD and would then give you the option of exiting out of the education system after 1 more year if you wanted or carrying on with a phD. If you did exit out after 1 more year you would still have one up on all the other under graduates around...

I did a BEng in Electronics then an MSc in Telecomms which allowed me to leave the decision on doing a phD until later; Just so happened that I decided to get into work instead of doing the further 2 years on a phD, might be a good compromise if you want one, and it will give you another 12 months to decide ;)

I managed to get an EPSRC grant for my masters, not as much money as you are talking for the phD but still helped me a lot!