Careers in STEM - without a PhD.

[GeeTwo]

This afternoon I sat on a panel discussion at a local science fiction convention entitled "Careers in Science without a PhD." The panel was made up of five working scientists with a BS or MS degree (moderator works for NASA, two panelists for the US Navy, and two panelists for the state of Louisiana). Here are a few of the highlights:

• Most careers in science (or technology or engineering; no comments made on mathematics) do NOT require a PhD to get a decent paycheck. Many of us find good employment with a BS, MS, or even associate's degree. One of my co-workers is a Physical Science Technician, and has a high school diploma, plus thirty years of experience in acoustic modeling. In most fields, unless you want to be a college professor or lead researcher, you don't need a PhD. Even for lead researcher, it is not a hard requirement: our panel moderator is a primary research investigator, and another panelist knows a non-PhD at NRL-Stennis who does primary research investigation. My office's technical director does not have a PhD. Less than 10% of my department has a PhD. More than half of my branch (the operations support branch of the acoustics department of the Naval Oceanographic Office) does not even have a bachelor's degree.
• The keys to getting a good job doing science aren't much different than in anything else: start early, be persistent, and exploit personal networking. That is, don't wait until you have a degree (or are a few months from getting one) to look for a science job. Look for internships (preferably paid ones) or near-campus jobs (that is, jobs with companies not formally affiliated with the school who hire students as technicians). These jobs may lead directly to another after graduation, or give you a contact that will lead to one. If you apply to a company who doesn't need your skill in-house, ask who they out-source that skill to, or what skills they are looking for that you can acquire.
• One of our panel (Zan) highlighted the value of persistence. She applied for a position early in her career, but did not receive it. She continued to call every two weeks to see if the position had been filled, and re-stated her interest. About three months later, when they were unable to find a candidate who filled all of the requirements, guess to whom they offered the job. Also, join professional organizations as you are eligible and attend conventions at least semi-regularly; you never know if someone you meet at a conference may one day be in a position to recommend you for a job.
• Jobs doing computer programming or data processing are actually available without any degree, certification, or other formal credentials - these days, you can get in on open source programming or crowd sourced data processing, and use that as an entree into a real paid programming or data processing position.
• Essentially no one is doing the job he/she pictured before graduation. Be ready to follow the opportunities that arise, even if it means moving to a different field or a different part of the country. Also, once you've grown into your current position, keep your eyes open elsewhere. This is especially true if it is clear that your current employer does not offer upward mobility for your position! Very few people entering the job force today will retire from the same company/agency where they started.

In case anyone thinks this is all just theoretical, I have a concrete example. My oldest son (Gixxy on CD) was offered a part-time paid programming job while he was still in high school based on some open source work he contributed. As a junior at LA Tech, he's now working a near-campus job which leaves him enough time to pursue his degree in computer science, while mostly paying his own way. I'm contributing health and car insurance, and the difference between a state scholarship and actual tuition & fees; otherwise, he's now financially independent. And OBTW, he has not had to take out a single dollar of student loan to date.

As a final bit, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". This did not come up at the panel, but I absolutely took great advantage of adversity as my career was starting. During my senior year in physics at the University of New Orleans, I was [completely falsely] charged with breaking and entering an apartment; the circumstances are too weird and involved for this forum. I quickly ceased my search for a job, and applied for the master's program. Within a year, the charges were dropped and expunged, but I carried on with the MS. After I had completed my MS coursework, but before I had written my thesis, a one-year instructor's job came open in the department. I managed to land the job before actually being awarded the MS degree (but after earning it), largely due to the power of personal contacts. The year I spent teaching was the best learning experience of my life. I learned more about physics and more about myself that one year than the six years preceding or the six years following. I learned that I could not teach as a vocation, but must teach as an avocation. I have been largely frustrated in this discrepancy until becoming an FRC mentor - so thanks Dean, thanks Woody, and thanks Gixxy!

[jpetito]

Forget not the so-called Blue Collar jobs that go begging for lack of knowledge in mechanical aptitude and basic, practically-applied science and math.

If we can get past the biases that exist in the wider culture and the educationist intelligentsia, there are plenty of high-paying, cognitively challenging jobs in things like air conditioning, working for the local power company (with a little overtime, young people in my area [Los Angeles] are making six figures), elevator mechanic, a lot more.

[Mr. Mike]

Here in the Midwest there many skilled trade positions that are going unfilled due to lack of qualified people.
Someone who has taken a machining course in their vocational high school will start out at $12.00 or more per hour. That’s $28,500 per year working 45 hrs a week. Now after 4 years they will easily making $15.00 and up. That’s $35,625 per year working the same 45 hrs and no college debt. Now if they decide to pursue a degree most companies will reimburse for college courses related to their field. Again no college debt.
BTW Many of the juniors’ in our local vocational are working part time in machine shops. By the time they graduate they are already taken. Top machinist and tool makers, after 10 years, can reach the 6 figure mark.

Mr. Mike

[ebarker]

Here is another interesting item on how to make a lot of money without a university degree

Success in the New Economy

[techhelpbb]

Have an Associates of Applied Science from a Community College.
I was also a Valedictorian at the local Vocational Technical School.

Own several small business in: automation, computers and engineering.
Have work of mine in the U.S. Military and laced throughout the World's financial markets.
Work for a major financial institution in management and technology.
I make a good living(s).

It is not about your degree.
It is about: opportunity, focus and perseverance.

Fine example: Bill Gates
http://content.time.com/time/special...988082,00.html

This is NOT to say college is without merit.
There are many cases were focus on college and persevering it will increase your opportunity.
Just was not how my life played out.
My brother followed the same path as me.
Ended up with a Bachelor's from NJIT and I really find it hard to regret my decisions considering what he's gone through with that degree.

[jpetito]

Mr. Mike-

You've got it pegged right. On the Left Coast the same thing exists, though the wages are much higher (cost of living equivalency). Would that public school educators get this into their heads and bring a version of technical and vocational education to the regular school day.

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by jpetito

Would that public school educators get this into their heads and bring a version of technical and vocational education to the regular school day.

A lot already do. My highschool for example had CAD and drafting classes, "Digital electronics" (basic circuits and "electrical technician style work"), an automotive class, and one or two more that I don't remember. What we need is pressure from those above school administrators to make these kinds of classes more common. The educators themselves don't really get to teach whatever they feel like....

[jpetito]

Hi Brian--

We do pretty good with the digital and sometimes CAD stuff, and the plastic printers and CNC routers are pretty. But we need more of a style of education that teaches the operation of basic hand and machine tools, within a project-based environment. Bringing back something like machine shop or the sheet metal shop will be impossible in the current environment, but project-based learning that incorporates the underlying skills needed in the workplace can be translated into any workplace.

Educators complain that this kind of work is dated; it's "manufacturing" and single-minded, single-skilled in an era where they believe manufacturing is old-school and revanchist. They have no clue that the foundational skills are what keep this country operational and the digital and all the other gear functioning.

The biggest reason I got into FRC is it's the only thing on campus that plays to those hand/eye/brain skills so needed in the workplace.

Joe.