For industry is a Ph. D better than a Master's?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi Everyone,</p>

<p>I'm a senior in undergrad and trying to figure out the next step. I'm a bioengineering major, and I know that my ultimate goal is to be the director of R&D for an orthopedic medical device company (admittedly a stretch goal, it's obviously not an easy thing to do). What I'm less sure about is how to get there. Is a Ph. D necessary, or would an MS and/or MBA be preferred in industry? I've heard a variety of opinions on this topic.</p>

<p>I am currently considering three options:
1. Apply to Ph. D programs right out of undergrad.
2. Apply to jobs in industry, work a few years, return for an MS/MBA/Ph. D
3. Take a year off, do research for a year, apply to Ph. D programs (considering this because my GPA will likely rise a little, I am second author on a paper that will likely not be submitted until after I would apply to grad school, and next semester I am working on a research project with an MD who could write me a strong rec)</p>

<p>Which of these options is best and why? Thanks in advance</p>

2

<p>If your track is to start in the R&D arm of the company, then a Ph.D. is important. You won’t have the credibility to be the head of R&D without having a real understanding of research. As for your questions. Working as an engineer for a year or two is a plus for many engineering graduate programs so any one of your options is acceptable. Your research advisors should be able to tell you what your chances are to get into the graduate programs you are interested in right now or waiting a year or so.</p>

3

<p>Medical devices is a great field!! </p>

<p>To head an R&D department I think the PhD would definitely help but I don’t know if it is truly required. I can’t imagine it would hurt. I know a VP Engineering that has the MS/MBA (no PhD) but I don’t know if this is typical. </p>

<p>A BS/MS in Eng +/- MBA can definitely go far in other roles of the company other than R&D.</p>