Industry vs. Academic research experience; which is more useful?

[persimmony]

I'm in a position where I have 2 job interviews: both research positions, one in a large academic institution and the other and a large biopharmaceutical company. I know the biopharm will pay at least 8k more per year, and I do eventually want to go into industry after getting a PhD in molecular bio or biochem. However, academia would allow me to network more and I want to apply to that school anyway.

Would industry research be viewed negatively when I eventually apply for my PhD?

[virion]

Of the fellow interviewees I met during my round of interviews this year, many who weren't current undergrads were working industry jobs (quite a few RA's in academia as well). I myself worked as a research assistant at a university lab which publishes, etc, but does not have a standard structure (no graduate students and basically never post docs). So I received a few questions from interviewers trying to make sure I was familiar with standard academic lab environment, had indirect exposure to 'grad school life', and so on. As an undergrad, I worked in such labs. This always seemed to put the interviewer at ease.

So, I would say that it partially depends on your previous experience. The schools I interviewed with generally made a big deal about the fact that they are aware that no, most PhD graduates won't get traditional jobs in academia and yes, they're here to prepare us for other post-graduate job we may be seeking. So if the admissions committee reading your application has this "modern" type of attitude, the fact that you know you want to go into industry and have relevant experience to that may work for you. It's also possible that an old-timer (or whoever) that perceives a stigma associated with that type of work will read your application. But generally I think they'll like to see someone who knows what they want.

This doesn't address the issue of networking you mentioned. If you would be working with people in the program you eventually want to join, it's an opportunity that would be difficult to pass up.

Hopefully you're offered both jobs But if, for instance, you only get the biotech job there is absolutely no shame in that and you'll thank yourself in grad school for the extra money you've been able to set aside.

[spew]

I have no academic research experience but 2.5 years of industry experience and I got 6 interviews and 3 offers out of 11 schools I applied to. Every school asked me about it but wasn't a problem for those 3 schools, I was their top pick. I'm nervous as **** though.

Do you guys have any advice for me? I'm certainly *not* familiar with a "standard academic lab setting." Hell, at my last job our scientists hardly even used lab notebooks.

Edited August 8, 2012 by spew

[persimmony]

Well I was a research intern at an academic lab for 1 semester, and I've been working in an environmental lab (not research) for the past 4 years. The lab I have an interview in is not necessarily the dept. I'll eventually apply to, but I'm leaning towards the academic position... now to do well in the interview.