Do You Need an Advanced Degree in Your Field? If So, Which One?
Many people working in the biotech field or any other industry, for that matter, wonder if an advanced degree is the key to moving up to a management position or even a higher scientist classification.
The decision to go to graduate school is not one to take lightly, as it takes time, dedication and, depending on your field and ability to go full or part-time, money as well. In addition, the thought tends to bring up plenty of questions, such as do you even need an advanced degree in your field? And if so, which one?
We’ll answer these questions and a few others here in order to help you determine which path best fits your needs for the future of your biotech career.
What Are Your Career Goals?
The first question to answer is: what are your career goals? This depends on where you currently are right now. For example, if you’re in the biotech field working as a technician but you want to move up in the science side of the industry, then a master’s degree in biotechnology or a related field is necessary to meet that particular career goal. On the other hand, if you want to work in management, yet already have a master’s in biotech, biology, chemistry, or something similar, then you may find that an MBA is a helpful tool that teaches you how to properly lead an organization, honing in on those coveted leadership skills.
Where You Work Also Matters
Speaking of leadership, assessing your leadership is another key to answering these questions. Do your leaders have an MBA degree or just plenty of experience in their current field? Do all of the science-based positions above technician require a master’s degree? Or have some people worked their way up out of sheer gumption and knowledge?
If your workplace is one that rewards hard work and experience regardless of degree status, then you may not need to go to grad school after all. However, if everyone on the upper management and career levels has a master’s degree or a Ph.D., then you will more than likely need one if you want to join their ranks. It all depends on how your particular employer handles promotions. Every one varies quite a bit, due to its own internal processes.
Ask Your Supervisors
Another method of determining whether or not you need an advanced degree is to spend some time quizzing your superiors. Make it clear to them that you want to move up in your existing field and point out your eventual career goals. They can then guide you in the right direction, pointing out which degrees would be helpful and why. This also sets you on the path to future promotions at your existing workplace, since informing your bosses of your goals will allow them to keep you in mind once you have that advanced degree. Keeping them apprised of your ambitions is never a bad thing!
Master’s Degrees Versus Ph.D.s
Finally, should you choose to go to graduate school, you have another decision to make – master’s degree or a Ph.D.? After all, there’s a difference besides the amount of time and dedication required to earn the degree. In general, a master’s degree teaches you more about your chosen field in some depth, but not to the point of becoming an academic. Essentially, they are designed to help you fine tune your skills and knowledge, so you can enter the traditional workforce. A Ph.D., on the other hand, is a true academic degree. Those who want to eventually work for a university or related institution find that spending this extra time in school is entirely worthwhile.
So, if you think an advanced degree might help give your career the boost you’re looking for, definitely spend some time examining your career goals, assessing your current employer’s promotion tendencies, asking your superiors for guidance, and deciding which degree is right for you. In the end, while an advanced degree might not be completely necessary, it usually shows dedication and determination which most employers, especially in the biotech industry, find attractive.