About STEM fields, because I came from one though no longer work in it.
Unless you're an engineer, many science professions require you to go all the way to PhD to make the most of your time and effort. Engineers can get some employment out of college, though a masters helps greatly.
My field was biology, and it was the worst. You're pretty much stuck being a lab jockey if you're not a PhD or MD.
It's funny...thinking about, STEM is like the Apple Computer ecosystem, and trade school is like the PC. Apple is shiny and exclusive, but you can't ever leave the system or your stuff is useless. PCs are whatever you make of them and the different components (skills) you pick up along the way can be applied in different settings.
I completely agree. You'll also have a ton of competition with foreign nationals, both seeking a job in the US and with substantial outsourcing.
What is your current line of work? I also face the issue that my STEM MS degree is basically useless outside the field, and employers expect a PhD. Being a lab jockey only lasts so long too before you are replaced for younger and cheaper.
I never liked biology, and I was half-ass in it because I was on the med school track. I eventually left science and tech for writing, and that's what I do now.
So I'm an example of someone who just walked away from all of it. My science background does help a lot though in both my writing and life in general. Kind of a tough decision because of the "sunk costs", but my one bit of advice is that it's your life. Live it how you want to live. You'll never have any regrets.
I understand the sunk costs issue, but I've seen that the shelf life for most BS/MS bench scientists is limited unless you are extremely lucky. The comparison to the Apple products is quite apt - few people in the real world care if you can purify some compound or run an analysis. Writing is a far more practical skill.
I've been doing temp work, but need to get my life together and find something more stable.
About STEM fields, because I came from one though no longer work in it.
Unless you're an engineer, many science professions require you to go all the way to PhD to make the most of your time and effort. Engineers can get some employment out of college, though a masters helps greatly.
My field was biology, and it was the worst. You're pretty much stuck being a lab jockey if you're not a PhD or MD.
It's funny...thinking about, STEM is like the Apple Computer ecosystem, and trade school is like the PC. Apple is shiny and exclusive, but you can't ever leave the system or your stuff is useless. PCs are whatever you make of them and the different components (skills) you pick up along the way can be applied in different settings.
I completely agree. You'll also have a ton of competition with foreign nationals, both seeking a job in the US and with substantial outsourcing.
What is your current line of work? I also face the issue that my STEM MS degree is basically useless outside the field, and employers expect a PhD. Being a lab jockey only lasts so long too before you are replaced for younger and cheaper.
I never liked biology, and I was half-ass in it because I was on the med school track. I eventually left science and tech for writing, and that's what I do now.
So I'm an example of someone who just walked away from all of it. My science background does help a lot though in both my writing and life in general. Kind of a tough decision because of the "sunk costs", but my one bit of advice is that it's your life. Live it how you want to live. You'll never have any regrets.
Thanks for your reply.
I understand the sunk costs issue, but I've seen that the shelf life for most BS/MS bench scientists is limited unless you are extremely lucky. The comparison to the Apple products is quite apt - few people in the real world care if you can purify some compound or run an analysis. Writing is a far more practical skill.
I've been doing temp work, but need to get my life together and find something more stable.