Non-academic jobs with a PhD in Genetics -- help

[madamecurie]

Hi guys, 

 

So I'm wrapping up my 2nd year, about the take my quals in 2 weeks and I'm so stressed out about passing....I'm going to change labs after comps because my lab has turned into a nightmare (PI not available, only grad student in the lab full of undergrads who are part time)...so I'll have to deal with that after comps. All-in-all, I'm starting to have these "what is point of all this stress?? Why am I doing this to myself?! Is it worth it?!?" moments. I really like teaching, but I know I would be miserable as a PI at an RO1-level school writing grants all the time. I like the bench-work, but it feels like more labs are doing science to keep their lab going rather than help figure out mechanisms to really help society/progress the field. Am I alone in these thoughts? I have a masters in biochem and really liked the science, so decided to go for the PhD. Now I'm wondering if this was a mistake...people are telling me I can teach at a community college or private school right now. 

 

I'm trying to figure out my motivational factor and just keep getting stuck in a loop. So I started looking into non-academic careers for those with a PhD in Genetics...I love the healthcare field (helping people), I love the science (figuring out mechisms, etc), but I'm stuck in where I should go next after this...or if I should even finish the PhD. Is there anyone here who has completed a degree in the sciences and went into non-academic careers...if so, how are you doing? and...did getting the PhD matter in the long run? 

 

Thanks! 

[Vene]

I can't say I have completed a PhD yet, but there are definitely jobs outside of academia for PhD level biologists (actually, most don't work in academia). I had a professor in undergrad who worked for the USDA, he was an animal geneticist and did work on swine breeding. There's also a ton of biotech companies out there which hire geneticists and genomic medicine is becoming more and more developed. I'd say go to job search websites and search for something like "PhD genetics" and see what pops up to see what options there are.

[kmac11]

You could check out the Presidential Management Fellowship STEM track. More info here: http://www.pmf.gov/the-opportunity/pmf-stem.aspx

There are actually a couple of Geneticist postings with the EPA at the moment, so there will probably be similar things next year. 

[madamecurie]

Thank you! This helps...most people I talk to in academia have this look on their face when I tell them I don't want to stay in academia after all of this...like I'm crazy. So thanks for sheding some light on this. I can't talk to my present boss, and I've heard of other PI's looking down on students who don't want to continue on this path. Thanks for the other avenues! This makes me feel a lot better. 

[MoJingly]

Yeah, it's tough to find info since you are inundated with academia right now, and academics can't really give much helpful advice. 

 

A great place to start is versatilephd.com.  Your institution might have a subscription to it. Also, there is a Linked In group called "PhD careers outside of academia" (or something like that?) that has some good information. 

 

You're definitely not the only one that is thinking of leaving academia.