Hi Jason, I'm a recent PhD in your position -- looking for work. I can't really comment on which degree is more useful. In hindsight I wish I'd broken the graduate studies into two degrees, entered the workforce and made some contacts. The graduate students that are doing projects in collaboration with government or other organizations do appear to have less worries employment wise. You mat be able to play that PhD card later. Regarding finding work, if you like where you are and can afford to float for a bit I would recommend the hidden job market. Look at what people in your area are doing work/research wise, write them, explain why you are interested in their work and that you are looking for work, leads etc. This can be time consuming while also searching for advertised postings so set a low goal like 2 people a week. I can't verify whether this approach works yet but I can say that will help build your network and that you will probably discover all kinds of interesting projects going on close to home.
Good luck, Wyth Marshall ----- Original Message ---- From: Lara Juliusson <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, April 5, 2010 9:12:55 AM Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] M.S. -- is it useful? From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [ECOLOG-L] M.S. -- is it useful? Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2010 08:18:18 -0600 Hi Jason, Lots to consider with this, including if you want to do research, and where you want to live. I would actually say that a Ph.D. is more useful, especially in locations where there will be lots of competition for jobs. It seems to me from jobs postings I've seen, that even the NGOs and consulting companies look for Ph.D.s in those locations. Also, I believe that for government jobs where you do research, Research Ecologist, Research Biologist, etc., a Ph.D. is required. If anyone knows differently, please correct me. Congratulations on getting your Masters! If you do decide you want to get a Ph.D., in my opinion it will be easier if you do so fairly quickly after getting your Masters. Best of luck, Lara Juliusson, B.A./M.A. Geography, B.A. Ecology/Evolutionary Biology (aspiring research spatial ecologist with 17 years of experience) P.S. I think it is interesting that I'm recommending a Ph.D. and I have a Masters, while someone else with a Ph.D. recommended a Masters. Small sample size, but is this a case of the grass is always greener. : ) Learn to trust what is happening. If there is silence, let it grow; something will emerge. If there is a storm, let it rage; it will resolve into calm." - John Heider - > Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2010 16:58:22 -0700 > From: [email protected] > Subject: [ECOLOG-L] M.S. -- is it useful? > To: [email protected] > > I am nearly finished with my Master's degree in biology (anticipated date May > 2010). But, scanning the job postings from the several days I have been > subscribed to this listserv, I see two main categories: jobs for applicants > with Ph.D's, and jobs for current students. I am wondering, how often are > there actually openings for applicants who already have Master's degrees and > are not currently students? I am trying to figure out my strategy for life > after grad school, and this kind of information will help me to find the best > approach. > > Jason Hernandez > East Carolina University > > > __________________________________________________________________ Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! http://www.flickr.com/gift/
