There are a lot of nuances in the discussion re: PhD or not...

A thread on experience & advice from someone (me) who actually decided to leave halfway through /1

I chose not to finish my PhD after I passed the qualifying exam (3 yrs into my expedited PhD). I switched to wrap w/ MSc. I also got invited to do a PhD in another lab after I defended my MSc, which I declined. /2

PhD + academia is a life choice. Mapping out the 10 yrs after PhD, I realized this = moving for jobs, job uncertainty & financial uncertainty in the foreseeable future. I would also live my life thinking about my research 24/7 (some people can shut it off, I couldn't) /3

I had developed skills during grad school - talking about science, education, editing grants, event planning - all of which I also love to do. Can I find a job in these fields without a PhD? Yes. Does it help to have one? Perhaps, but that = another 3-4 years of grad school /4

Many thought I wasn't serious (another PhD self-doubt day!), Others thought I was crazy (you passed your comp/qualifying!). At the end of the day, my mom said "you only have one life, gotta live it the way you want it."  /5

I did some outreach part-time while writing my thesis. My 1st full-time was grant facilitation. My 2nd full-time job is my current job (scicomm & outreach). I don't have a lab, or earn like a prof, & I don't have tenure. But I am happy, my job (10+ yrs), never regretted. /6

Advice 1) Go into PhD and academic research because you want to live that life. Do your research about academia. Also recognize that your life will be a lot about competitions - for scholarships, jobs, grants, awards, publications, etc. /7

Advice 2) science? Think beyond academia. There is an industry around science: product dev, scicomm, education, writing, management, etc. Think about them - do they need PhD? Do you have options? Find postings & see if you are qualified. If not, develop missing skills /8

Advice 3) If you are leaving/have left - know you are not the only one. It is ok to make a decision & then change your mind. Looking for a job? Frame your experience in resume - talk about the transferable skills. I wrote about that here  https://blog.addgene.org/resume-writing-for-non-academic-science-careers /9

Advice 4) Those who left are going to have self doubt moments. I gotta say the fact I was offered a PhD position after I defended helped my confidence (thank you...). Focus on what you achieved, even small victories or confidence boosters. Focus on skills you developed. /10

Advice 5) If you decide to stay for good reasons, go for it!! Many jobs do require a PhD. Plan how you are gonna get there. Also have back up plans. Again, it is going to be A LOT of competitions, & not everyone goes home with a prize. Be prepared, Know your options. /11 & end