<p>Hey, I know this has been discussed ad nausea which is why I am putting it in context. I love mechanical engineering and have already had large amounts of experience with lab work. I already obtained a undergraduate honors thesis from the lab work and recently obtained my BS over the past summer. I also had decided that I would sign on for the 5 year BS/MS program and get my MS in two years (I also signed on for a coop/fellowship to fund the masters since it also is enjoyable work). This is just to put in context that I have lots of lab experience and find it great. However, I can't make the decision between getting a phd or stopping at a masters.
I interned previously with NASA and can easily see myself as one of the old fogeys they have walking around there with phds in their 90s (they call them the grey beards) because they love the job so much. However, I want to spend at least the first portion of my career in a position that allows me to travel. Maybe someone can correct me (please do so if its the case) but I have not run across phd level positions that incorporate much travel (I am vehemently opposed to jobs that fall under the category of business or financial management). What are people's knowledge regarding possibly going into field with masters to get traveling job (essentially signing on to the job I am interning at for full time employment) and returning for a phd at a later time (say starting when I'm 30-early 30s). Do people know if traveling jobs are to be found in non-business fields at the phd level?</p>
<p>Ah the ole PhD versus MS debate–a good one. Though the lines are still fuzzy, a PhD above all is a research degree and usually required for R&D and of course academic positions. Some jobs requiring a very specific technical expertise will also require a PhD, where you will be the “thesis-topic guru”. This doesn’t mean a MS can’t obtain technical experience by any means–once you got the years under your belt you’ll become an expert in whatever field. However for most research or highly technical work, a PhD is usually desired and can often be a selling point for services companies.</p>
<p>The best advice I can tell you is that don’t pursue a PhD for money or lifestyle opportunities but only if you have a true passion for research and your field. The last thing you want to do is barrel into the 3-4 year process and find out that you much rather do X or are starting to hate your field. How will you know? From your background it seems that you have a strong understanding of what a PhD requires and you should evaluate whether you want to spend the next few years studying a certain field.</p>
<p>I know a handful of people who go back to school (after their MS) and get their PhD. In some cases it was easier since they already amassed some sort of expertise or research goals. However most have said that it was the family and time constraints that made it unbearable–having to uproot their family or losing a source of income in critical times. </p>
<p>Personally, I want to get the schooling out of the way now because I have the time and lifestyle.</p>
<p>Traveling jobs, specifically traveling engineering jobs will really vary by the industry. </p>
<p>A job in the Oil/Gas industry can let you travel to the Middle East, Western Africa, Southeast Asia and even South America, of course this would all depend on your assignment. An engineering consulting job (technical consult) can have clients all across the US and you would have opportunities to visit your clients. Government agency jobs (CIA, FBI and etc) will also give you opportunities to travel to exotic regions. Finally a handful of academic jobs have sparse traveling opportunities, mostly in the form of conferences or post-doc appointments. </p>
<p>I feel that a MS will have more opportunities to travel than a PhD just because PhDs tend to be pidgeon holed in a R&D department and don’t get a lot of “field work”. Of course as I mentioned above, this isn’t always the case and technical consultants (see Exponent) travel as well. </p>
<p>Just some thoughts: If you are in a 5 year BS/MS program, why will it take 2 years to earn a MS? You can also look into straight PhD programs that can shave 1-2 years off your PhD time as well.</p>
<p>The 2 years is because I joined up with a coop program when I started my graduate school with the masters. Thats where my dilemma began because my coop involves travel. Thats when I discovered I liked traveling and became concerned that by pursuing my original objective of phd, I’d over qualify myself out of all the travel opportunities.</p>
<p>I see.</p>
<p>Well if you enjoy your coop company a lot maybe stick around with them for a few years and then go back for your PhD? Companies vary but talk to your managers and get their honest feedback on what you can do with a PhD. While in most cases you might be forced into a research position this is by no means an absolute and if you have the drive you can make your career work.</p>