Summary: <br> There are many paths to a PhD. In the humanities, it’s common to earn a Master’s degree first (or so we’re told…)<br> <br> <br> <br> In the biomedical sciences, students regularly skip the Master’s degree entirely, enrolling in a PhD program that includes coursework.<br> <br> <br> <br> This week, we hear from two aspiring scientists who used the Master’s degree as a stepping stone, and now they’re looking to take the next leap.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Defining a Scientist<br> <br> <br> <br> Nikki is a research scientist for a cosmetics company. She began as a lab tech, and over just three short years, was promoted to the position of Scientist.<br> <br> <br> <br> She got support from work to begin a Master’s degree program part time, defraying the costs but also fraying her nerves.<br> <br> <br> <br> “The benefits are that my company pays for the majority of my tuition, but I’m starting to get burnt out juggling both,” she wrote.<br> <br> <br> <br> What she really wants is to deepen her scientific training in a PhD program, but she’s wrestling with that choice. After all, she’s been successful in her career so far, and expects to come back to industry after her training.<br> <br> <br> <br> Is it worth it to earn a PhD if she’s got a Master’s degree and a good job? <br> <br> <br> <br> And can she still consider herself a ‘scientist’ if she doesn’t hold the doctorate?<br> <br> <br> <br> We answer these questions and more!<br> <br> <br> <br> The Price of Prestige<br> <br> <br> <br> Next up, “C”, is working on his backup plan to get into graduate school. After a couple of rejection letters, he enrolled in a Master’s degree program and got some additional experience in the lab.<br> <br> <br> <br> That was enough to get him accepted to a PhD program, but there was one catch – it was at the same University where he did his undergrad. Is it okay to do your PhD at the same school you earned your Bachelor’s degree? Should C hold out for a ‘more prestigious’ school, or go with the program that has accepted him?<br> <br> <br> <br> To make matters even more confounding, the lab C was going to join is now moving to another University that doesn’t have a PhD program, so he needs to figure out a backup plan to his backup plan.<br> <br> <br> <br> We’ve got advice (some of it good!) and wish both Nikki and C the best of luck in the next stage of their journeys.<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://www.promega.com/resources/student-resource-center/intermediate-techniques/?utm_source=hellophd&utm_medium=banner_april_may&utm_campaign=academic_src&utm_content=protein" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><br>
