PhD interview question: do you want to work in academia or industry?

[caffeine addict]

I have applied to a PhD in Financial Mathematics (that is the research area, the program's name varies from university to university) and I've been asked this question in 2 interviews already (UK universities). What are they looking for with this question? Is any of the 2 choices detrimental if you are applying for funding as well?

[IsleofBlue]

The way I see it is just that the interviewer is curious if you have any concrete long term goals. I've had this question a couple of times as well and I've always answered that I have no real preference as of now and that I hope to find out through the process of obtaining my PhD.

 

I don't think you should worry about one answer being better than the other. I've always asked POIs during interviews where their graduates end up going afterwards and they've spoken highly of both academic pathways as well as industrial ones

[MathCat]

I think you should just be honest, and not worry about what answer they are looking for.