<p>I applied to a bunch of graduate programs in biomedical science. My job is not bad, but I am also looking for a position that fit my interest more than my current one. In case I don't get accepted anywhere, I would like to work for few more years before I will apply again.</p>
<p>One of research jobs I applied (a biotech company) would like to interview me next week, but 2 of the interviewers also hold faculty positions in a program I applied. (I have not heard from that program yet). I don't know if they are on the admission committee. </p>
<p>Do you guys think going to the interview will hurt my chance of the grad school application? I mean if they ask what I wanna do in the future, should I tell them I wanna go to school? I feel I am in a middle of something that I can't really decide which way I can go. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Why would it hurt? Because the faculty members might meet you in an interview at a biotech company and counterintuitively conclude you must not be serious about pursuing a career in science? Because they've never met a 20-something who has the foresight to find back-ups in case education plans fall through? Because they'll go running to the admissions people and say "He's looking at other options! We have no need for students who stoop so low as to work in industry. Oh wait, we work there too."</p>
<p>Short answer: no. If they ask you about your plans for the future, tell the truth.</p>
<p>I just have a thought that employers always want to hire somebody that will work with them for a long time. Maybe I am too worried about the grad school application. Anyway, thanks for sharing your opinion!</p>
<p>hey! i don't think it will hurt. as others have suggested be honest. i think it's courageous- applying to a job as a plan b. i don't think you'll be penalized for this.</p>
<p>Courageous to consider an industry research position? Stoop[ing] so low as to work in industry?</p>
<p>Where are you guys getting your impressions of industry?!? About half of scientists work in industry (the other half work in academia and a much smaller number work in government). Admittedly there are bad jobs in industry, but that shouldn't brand half of all scientists as some sort of scum that have stooped so low as to consider industry.</p>
<p>Virion, just tell them the truth if they ask you. It. Really. Doesn't. Matter. </p>
<p>belevitt, I hope that you become a rock star professor and give all the academic snobs the what-for. We need more people like you- science is too big, and medical research is too urgent, for people to be hung up with superiority complexes...</p>
<p>Although I don't completely understand all the meaning between the lines here (English is not my first language), I do appreciate your opinions. I will do my best on the interview. Thank you, all.</p>