Should I apply to do an astrophysics PhD or stick with an engineering job?

[taway]

I (22m from UK) have an undergrad in astrophysics, a masters in space engineering and have long wanted to do a PhD. After graduating my masters, I wanted a break from academia so now work as a spacecraft engineer (which is my dream career). I love my job and definitely see myself doing this as a long term career, but I keep get this niggling feeling that I want to do a PhD. I much preferred my undergrad (physics based) research than the engineering research at masters level and have always wanted to do a PhD in astrophysics. The problem I see with it is that doing this PhD will take up 4 years of time away from my career development and also not really be that applicable/useful as far as I can tell when I finish and want to reenter the space engineering industry.

Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

 

[PeroK]

No one but you can decide what you want out of life!

 

[taway]

No one but you can decide what you want out of life!

This is true. Although I guess maybe I'm just looking for some advice or insight to help decide what exactly it is that I want out of life :)

 

[CrysPhys]

OP:

* If you speak the language of ROI and opportunity costs, then you probably shouldn't do it.

* If you speak the language of following your passion and not wanting to look back with regret decades from now, then you probably should do it.

* As I've posted many times, my perspective is that a PhD in Physics does not necessarily have to be a means to an end, it can be an end in itself. If after 4 yrs, you accept, "Well, I've accomplished what I set out to do. Now it's time to move on to the next phase of my life, regardless of whether it's related to my PhD research or not." Then OK. But, if after 4 yrs, you lament, "Even if I pursue one or more postdocs, the likelihood of landing a long-term career as a researcher in astrophysics is slim. Damn, I've just wasted 4 yrs of my life. Why, oh why, was I so stupid." Then NOT OK.

 

[Vanadium 50]

So you aren't actually talking about a career change or credentialling?

Then why get a degree? Why not take the classes you want?

 

[CrysPhys]

So you aren't actually talking about a career change or credentialling?

Then why get a degree? Why not take the classes you want?

<<Emphasis added>> But the core of a PhD program is not the classes, it's the thesis research.

 

[Frabjous]

So you like your job and see it as your long-term career. So is it a good idea to take a 4 year sabbatical that has no career benefits? No. Put that energy into your career.

 

[CrysPhys]

So you like your job and see it as your long-term career. So is it a good idea to take a 4 year sabbatical that has no career benefits? No. Put that energy into your career.

But not every endeavor needs to have career benefits. E.g., one of my daughter's classmates turned down a lucrative job with a Wall Street firm. Instead, he joined a non-profit org, shipped out to Africa, and distributed vaccines for 2 yrs. The cost in $ and career advancement was substantial, but the sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment made it worthwhile for him. The OP needs to make a similar decision.

 

[bob012345]

I (22m from UK) have an undergrad in astrophysics, a masters in space engineering and have long wanted to do a PhD. After graduating my masters, I wanted a break from academia so now work as a spacecraft engineer (which is my dream career). I love my job and definitely see myself doing this as a long term career, but I keep get this niggling feeling that I want to do a PhD. I much preferred my undergrad (physics based) research than the engineering research at masters level and have always wanted to do a PhD in astrophysics. The problem I see with it is that doing this PhD will take up 4 years of time away from my career development and also not really be that applicable/useful as far as I can tell when I finish and want to reenter the space engineering industry.

Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

You may not have to leave your job to get a PhD. Talk with your boss about it.

 

[Vanadium 50]

But the core of a PhD program is not the classes, it's the thesis research.

But that's where he needs to start.

 

[Frabjous]

But not every endeavor needs to have career benefits. E.g., one of my daughter's classmates turned down a lucrative job with a Wall Street firm. Instead, he joined a non-profit org, shipped out to Africa, and distributed vaccines for 2 yrs. The cost in $ and career advancement was substantial, but the sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment made it worthwhile for him. The OP needs to make a similar decision.

I really doubt that your daughter’s classmate had a

niggling feeling

to go to Africa to distribute vaccines.

 

[CrysPhys]

Not sure what your point about a "niggling feeling" is (not even sure what a "niggling feeling" is). My point is, when making decisions concerning your future path, there are factors in life beyond career benefits and financial gain.

 

[Frabjous]

Not sure what your point about a "niggling feeling" is (not even sure what a "niggling feeling" is). My point is, when making decisions concerning your future path, there are factors in life beyond career benefits and financial gain.

Small and lingering. I agree that there are other factors, but I do not see them in what the OP wrote. An additional degree could also cause the OP over-qualification issues in returning to spacecraft engineering.

 

[CrysPhys]

OP: Follow-up to my Reply #4.

* Consider the following conditions:

(a) You are going into this with your eyes wide open. You are not wearing blinders, or worse yet, the proverbial rose-colored glasses.

(b) You have a clear sense of purpose.

(c) You have a clear appreciation of what you will gain and a clear appreciation of what you will give up.

(d) You are OK with the trade-offs.

* If you satisfy all of the above conditions, then go for it.

* If you don't satisfy all the above conditions, then don't go for it.

 

[gmax137]

So you aren't actually talking about a career change or credentialling?

Then why get a degree? Why not take the classes you want?

You may not have to leave your job to get a PhD. Talk with your boss about it.

But that's where he needs to start.

Put these ideas together, see how that goes fir a year or two...

 

[berkeman]

I wanted a break from academia so now work as a spacecraft engineer (which is my dream career). I love my job and definitely see myself doing this as a long term career, but I keep get this niggling feeling that I want to do a PhD.

In your current job, do you work with any PhDs? If so, what field(s) are their PhDs in?

 

[Choppy]

You're in a dream career that you love and see yourself doing long term and plan on returning to after the PhD.

One of the risks of doing a PhD is that you'll step out of the field for ~ 4 years. In that time your current experience will become four years obsolete. You will gain specialized knowledge, but it may not be all that applicable. So when you go to re-enter the field, what are your odds of getting back on that career track? I'm not saying it can't be done, but a lot can happen in four years. Returning to your dream job may not be guaranteed.

When making a decision like this... being in a good place and deciding on whether to change... it might help to think of it more like, "I'm happy with the path I'm on. Therefore I need to be convinced that changing course will be even better than, and not just on par with, the status quo."

 

[Tom.G]

One way to look at the situation:

Do you enjoy what you have been doing for the past few years?
Are you (at least somewhat) above average in what you are doing?
Are you comfortable with apparent job paths ahead?

For what it's worth, I evaluated those questions in my early career, answered them with "Yes", and really enjoy the results. I could probably have made a bit more income by spending more time in formal education -- but unless you have a need to 'compete' with others, spend the energy to enjoy the journey.

Well, that's my two-cents worth; your mileage may vary.

Enjoy!

Cheers,
Tom

 

[gwnorth]

Is it possible to do a PhD part time while still working? While it will extend the amount it takes to complete the degree, it could solve the issue of leaving your job.

 

[gwnorth]

But that's where he needs to start.

Not necessarily in the UK. The OP already has a master's degree which is when course work is completed. Standalone PhDs often do not have a formal course work component. It will depend on how much relevance the courses the OP took for their master's is to their PhD research.

 

[CrysPhys]

You're in a dream career that you love and see yourself doing long term and plan on returning to after the PhD.

After graduating my masters, I wanted a break from academia so now work as a spacecraft engineer (which is my dream career). I love my job and definitely see myself doing this as a long term career, but I keep get this niggling feeling that I want to do a PhD. I much preferred my undergrad (physics based) research than the engineering research at masters level and have always wanted to do a PhD in astrophysics.

I realize a "dream career" or "dream job" is hyperbole. But whenever I was at a stage in my career in which I was really, really content (at the least), I wasn't looking around for a change. So the mere fact that the OP is posting this question and mentions that they much preferred their undergrad physics research to their current engineering research makes me wonder whether what they have now is their dream career.

Returning to your dream job may not be guaranteed.

There's no guarantee that their dream job will continue if they stay, either. Sure, there's a mini space race going on at this moment, and career growth might appear strong. But I worked in semiconductor devices and telecommunications long enough to know how quickly hot fields can turn cold.

 

[CrysPhys]

So far I count 4 posters recommending that the OP consider pursuing a PhD while holding on to his job. In other threads, we've had posters state that their plans were to pursue a PhD while holding on to their present jobs. The usual immediate pushback from respondents has been, "Pursuing a PhD is a full-time job. How do you expect to do both and maintain your physical health and mental sanity?!"

Why the difference here? Is it because he used the wishy-washy term "niggling feeling" rather than a more compelling "passion" or "calling"?

Regardless, as I wrote above, he needs to clarify what he wants to get out of a PhD program, and he needs to appreciate what he would give up to get it.

 

[Frabjous]

There is a difference between getting a PhD while working another job and getting your PhD through your job.

 

[bob012345]

So far I count 4 posters recommending that the OP consider pursuing a PhD while holding on to his job. In other threads, we've had posters state that their plans were to pursue a PhD while holding on to their present jobs. The usual immediate pushback from respondents has been, "Pursuing a PhD is a full-time job. How do you expect to do both and maintain your physical health and mental sanity?!"

Why the difference here? Is it because he used the wishy-washy term "niggling feeling" rather than a more compelling "passion" or "calling"?

Regardless, as I wrote above, he needs to clarify what he wants to get out of a PhD program, and he needs to appreciate what he would give up to get it.

I think it takes longer while working but the company usually pays for it and you keep your career so it’s hard to see the downside.

 

[Vanadium 50]

If an engineer were to go to his company and say "I want a PhD in Art History" and think you should finance it, what do you think they would say?

 

[russ_watters]

Given that this PhD is outside OP's career ambitions it sounds more like a hobby to me. Maybe even one that can wait until retirement.

 

[CrysPhys]

I think it takes longer while working but the company usually pays for it and you keep your career so it’s hard to see the downside.

OK, if he can pull that off. The OP is in the UK. I don't know how common it's for companies there to pay for employees to get a PhD. Doesn't hurt to ask, I suppose. In the US, even in the glory days of large corporate R&D labs, some with quasi-academic groups (e.g., Bell Labs and IBM Watson), it was rare.

 

[gmax137]

I was thinking, get the employer to pay for the coursework, and see how it goes.

Many US companies will fund graduate level courses, as long as they're technical subjects. My thoughts on this were before the posts that imply the UK based OP was probably through with the coursework. Still not sure if that's true in this case.

 

[WWGD]

Maybe if OP can elaborate on what he meant by Aerospace Engineering being a dream job, we can do a better job of advising him.