- #1
acusick
- 8
- 0
I have just finished my first year in a Nuclear Engineering PhD program at a top ranked university. My undergrad was also in NE. I am studying nuclear materials, as in fuel cladding and core structural materials, and I plan on starting a career in the subject. I am now questioning my PhD and considering a masters (or possibly 2).
Wants: I would like to do reactor materials research, or lead a research team. I would like to spend time out of the lab on a day to day basis though, possibly consulting and sharing technologies with other groups. I love research and the idea of technology development but don't necessarily want to run the actual experiments myself...
Problems: I am having personal differences with my PhD adviser, I do not want to pursue academia or government work, and I am feeling like this degree is going to take forever (4 more years).
Options: I could deal with my adviser and get the PhD, I could leave after this coming fall semester with a masters in NE, or I could get a masters in NE and stay for 1 more semester and get an additional masters in Materials Science (I'd stay both semesters next academic year).
My questions to you all: Are the kinds of positions I am describing available? Do my career interests really even warrant a PhD? I am thinking twice now. Would I have the same opportunities with the two masters, for what I want to do? Maybe better opportunities? If I really wanted to become part of a leading edge reactor materials group would I need a PhD in general or would there be opportunities with master(s) degrees? Do people with masters degrees have real research opportunities as well as those with PhDs? Is overqualifying one's self a threat in this field?
I'd like to have the highest probability of finding a good job. I'd also like to set myself up for possibly working internationally. So basically, should I get a PhD, masters in NE, or masters in NE and MSE?
Thanks for any input!
Wants: I would like to do reactor materials research, or lead a research team. I would like to spend time out of the lab on a day to day basis though, possibly consulting and sharing technologies with other groups. I love research and the idea of technology development but don't necessarily want to run the actual experiments myself...
Problems: I am having personal differences with my PhD adviser, I do not want to pursue academia or government work, and I am feeling like this degree is going to take forever (4 more years).
Options: I could deal with my adviser and get the PhD, I could leave after this coming fall semester with a masters in NE, or I could get a masters in NE and stay for 1 more semester and get an additional masters in Materials Science (I'd stay both semesters next academic year).
My questions to you all: Are the kinds of positions I am describing available? Do my career interests really even warrant a PhD? I am thinking twice now. Would I have the same opportunities with the two masters, for what I want to do? Maybe better opportunities? If I really wanted to become part of a leading edge reactor materials group would I need a PhD in general or would there be opportunities with master(s) degrees? Do people with masters degrees have real research opportunities as well as those with PhDs? Is overqualifying one's self a threat in this field?
I'd like to have the highest probability of finding a good job. I'd also like to set myself up for possibly working internationally. So basically, should I get a PhD, masters in NE, or masters in NE and MSE?
Thanks for any input!