Dr Jones, Dr Jones
Andrei has been pushing me to do my PhD for most of this year. I've basically been saying "no", but now he's guaranteed me a scholarship.

So now I'm considering it.

I hadn't been expecting to do it. It wasn't part of The Plan™. Though a pretty important part of The Plan™ was not to have a plan. I still thought that even though I've enjoyed university immensely that I've done my *cough*seven*cough* years and that should be it. A PhD would be another three.

A PhD requires some element of "original" and "research" but the sort of thing I'd be doing would be at the practical end of the scale. It would be experimental physics, applying my engineering. There's a lack of physicists with electrical expertise. On the other hand, there's a difference between a design engineer and a technician.

The recognition of the qualification is a bit of a mixed bag. An Australian engineering degree is not worth as much as one from many other countries. Seeing the level of engineering ability of the people who have graduated around me I understand why: there are some talented engineers and a whole lot of people who will never pick up a soldering iron again.

I think that difference is made up by the fact that I've also got the science degree. It's a bit moot though because I have no real desire to move overseas. I know that that's the sort of thing you an only really do when you're young and stupid, but I quite like Australia. I think it's an awesome country to live in.

I like the idea of being Dr Jones.

Money is something I've been thinking about. The scholarship and some demonstrating would probably put me on $20k - $28k pa tax free. That's enough to live but in a frugal way. On the other hand, first year out engineering would probably net me at least $40k pa, which after tax and super would be around $25k. That option grows faster, where as the PhD keeps me poor for longer with a higher ceiling and probably a higher overall income. It's not about the money. Money can't buy happiness, but money can relieve suffering and it does dictate the level of comfort I'd enjoy for the next three years.

Employment prospects aren't something I'm concerned about. Engineers are in high demand and will be for a while. I appreciate that some of my friends haven't found it as easy as clicking their fingers, but I still think it's relatively easy. Certainly more easy than finding a job in a pure science field. Again, I think the double degree gives me an edge.

On the other hand, I think the synchrotron will continue to be hiring at a high rate for at least another five years as more beamlines come online. The age of physics research on very large machines will continue for quite a while yet. The experiments on them require a high level of engineering skill. A PhD in this area positions me quite well for that sort of research.

I could start a PhD and drop out if I hate it with little consequence.

Realistically it'd involve some teaching (demonstrating for the labs). I don't have any problem with that and I think I'd be good at it but it's not something I want to make a career.

Hrrmm