Thanks for this. I recently finished my master's thesis in biomedical engineering and have been working in the biomedical industry for almost a year. My experience in grad school was tough, but I do miss the intellectual freedom of academia. In industry (at least for my current employer) projects are profit-driven, while in academia projects are driven by innovation. I ultimately didn't pursue a Ph.D. since I have a toddler to raise. And PhDs in academia are often underpaid in lecturer and assistant professor positions. Only if you reach tenure/associate professor level, will you feel more secure and pay reflective of your skillset. I also feel academics have more work-life balance since you dictate your teaching and research. Also, you have more holiday breaks and summers off. In industry, you're obligated to be on site 5 days a week for at least 40 hours, with 10-15 PTO days a year. And in the industry, the research you want to pursue has to be aligned with company leadership, who often are driven by cost-effectiveness rather than maximizing product quality. Overall, if you value intellectual freedom more than anything, go into academia. If you invent something worth a patent in industry, the company's name goes on the patent, not the scientists who developed the product. In academia, all IPs are under your name, and this you get more notoriety. If I had the time and resources I would go back to do a Ph.D. and pursue an academic career. But for now, I'll be in the industry for the next few years
Yeah I appreciate your breakdown I agree with the differences too. One thing to add that the university will own most of the IP of any novel findings as well and sometimes it causes problems if you wish to leave and move elsewhere too.
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Thank you, Aamir. I found this really helpful as a 3rd year PhD candidate.
Thank you for watching I am really glad you found it useful!
Thanks for this. I recently finished my master's thesis in biomedical engineering and have been working in the biomedical industry for almost a year. My experience in grad school was tough, but I do miss the intellectual freedom of academia. In industry (at least for my current employer) projects are profit-driven, while in academia projects are driven by innovation. I ultimately didn't pursue a Ph.D. since I have a toddler to raise. And PhDs in academia are often underpaid in lecturer and assistant professor positions. Only if you reach tenure/associate professor level, will you feel more secure and pay reflective of your skillset.
I also feel academics have more work-life balance since you dictate your teaching and research. Also, you have more holiday breaks and summers off. In industry, you're obligated to be on site 5 days a week for at least 40 hours, with 10-15 PTO days a year. And in the industry, the research you want to pursue has to be aligned with company leadership, who often are driven by cost-effectiveness rather than maximizing product quality.
Overall, if you value intellectual freedom more than anything, go into academia. If you invent something worth a patent in industry, the company's name goes on the patent, not the scientists who developed the product. In academia, all IPs are under your name, and this you get more notoriety. If I had the time and resources I would go back to do a Ph.D. and pursue an academic career. But for now, I'll be in the industry for the next few years
Yeah I appreciate your breakdown I agree with the differences too. One thing to add that the university will own most of the IP of any novel findings as well and sometimes it causes problems if you wish to leave and move elsewhere too.
I will never go to acadmia, the constant pressure of 'publish or perish' is too much for me to handle.
It is such a toxic way to be a researcher its a real shame it is the way it is