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is a career in academic science really that bad

iv always loved sciences, esp biology, biochemistry maths, but have been totally put off as every1 keeps warning me that working in the academic fields are the worst paid most stressful, ultimately unsatisfying job. is this tru?
i used to think scientist/researcher was a really prestigious, high paid job if u went to companies or worked for large project, like in the us, and biology/ medical science is always rated as the fastest growing area of the future, so why does every1 say that working in boring financial sectors or bank s tons better

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Reply 1
Avatar for frost105
frost105
14
Compared to other jobs apparently the pay isnt great unless you have a phd
Reply 2
Avatar for Howard
Howard
5
frost105
Compared to other jobs apparently the pay isnt great unless you have a phd


Even then you could still end up earning more cleaning windows.
Reply 3
Avatar for frost105
frost105
14
Howard
Even then you could still end up earning more cleaning windows.

My window cleaner is nearly on £20,000 a year!
Reply 4
Avatar for marabara
marabara
1
perkyDani
iv always loved sciences, esp biology, biochemistry maths, but have been totally put off as every1 keeps warning me that working in the academic fields are the worst paid most stressful, ultimately unsatisfying job. is this tru?
i used to think scientist/researcher was a really prestigious, high paid job if u went to companies or worked for large project, like in the us, and biology/ medical science is always rated as the fastest growing area of the future, so why does every1 say that working in boring financial sectors or bank s tons better


is it relevant what other people think? you're doing what you enjoy doing, so that's one up on what most people have

but with an academic field, you probably would need a Phd to be respected - you would get this by working as an academic at a university anyway - this is opposed to leaving uni after 3 years, at which point you'd probably end up in dead-end researching job
Reply 5
Avatar for shiny
shiny
12
perkyDani
iv always loved sciences, esp biology, biochemistry maths, but have been totally put off as every1 keeps warning me that working in the academic fields are the worst paid most stressful, ultimately unsatisfying job. is this tru?

Poorly paid? Yeah, I guess so. For the same level of experience, you could probably earn £10-20k more per annum in industry. For satisfaction? Well that depends? Some people love it, others don't. Is it stressful? I would guess at times but then again how many jobs are not?
Reply 6
Avatar for Muse
Muse
13
shiny
how many jobs are not?


Chocolate tester? :biggrin:
Reply 7
Avatar for TheWolf
TheWolf
15
timeofyourlife
Chocolate tester? :biggrin:


I nearly died when I tried to swallow a ferrero rocher in one go. :redface:
perkyDani
iv always loved sciences, esp biology, biochemistry maths, but have been totally put off as every1 keeps warning me that working in the academic fields are the worst paid most stressful, ultimately unsatisfying job. is this tru?
i used to think scientist/researcher was a really prestigious, high paid job if u went to companies or worked for large project, like in the us, and biology/ medical science is always rated as the fastest growing area of the future, so why does every1 say that working in boring financial sectors or bank s tons better


If you work in the private sector you'll generally earn more..i dunno about stress levels, i imagine they exist in all professions you mention..if you work as a scientist who has a consultancy for drug companies, or is part of an orginasation like the welcome trust, or work for the governement, you can probably be pretty well paid, but at a uni, the top professors job is about £40,000 per year, but more in the states .
As for fulfillment, well that depends how much the money counts to you, if its what you are interested in, do it....who cares if its prestigious or not?
Reply 9
Avatar for Muse
Muse
13
TheWolf
I nearly died when I tried to swallow a ferrero rocher in one go. :redface:


In that case I think shiny might be right :frown:
NO it aint in short, my dad does it and hes happy:biggrin:
Reply 11
Avatar for Flicker
Flicker
13
i know a few people who work for universities in various scientific disciplines - plant science, insect specialist, animal biology - and no, the money isn't great, but they love what they do and the pay could be worse. plus you get to go to conferences abroad nad field trips and suchlike, and publish your work and if you get a PhD then you can work your way up to fellowships and things.

if you go into the private sector, you can get hte money. i work for a pharmaceutical company, and the pay is erally good - you can be on about £28K as a graduate with experience, obviously more for Post Doc and the more work you get published etc. it is quite high pressure at times depending what projects you are working on, but it's very rewarding when a drug is released onto the market and you are helping people. plus you get all the benefits of the big company - updated and modern equipment nad technology, and perks like a gym usually.

i'd say, if that's what you want to do, go for it, either on the academic or private side! you'll be happy and that's all that matters. if you do a sandwich degree course you could have a year working to get some experience - the company i work for takes about 30 students a year just on this site - and then you could decide before you graduate if it's for you or not!

also there are plenty of temping agencies for lab work - the pay isn't great as thet take a cut but it gives you the opportunity to work in lots of diferent places!
Reply 12
Avatar for AT82
AT82
Most of my lectureres are stinking rich, they don't work the full 9-5 like you would in industry and if they have a PhD they get paid around £35k a year, plus they also have other publications they will be making money on.

£35k a year is way way above the national average. Yes you can probably earn more with the same qualifications in industry, but if you want a nice job which is quite secure then being an acemedic is a good job to have. It is somthing I have half considered but my mind is all over the place at the moment and I want to have a go at running my own business.
perkyDani
iv always loved sciences, esp biology, biochemistry maths, but have been totally put off as every1 keeps warning me that working in the academic fields are the worst paid most stressful, ultimately unsatisfying job. is this tru?
i used to think scientist/researcher was a really prestigious, high paid job if u went to companies or worked for large project, like in the us, and biology/ medical science is always rated as the fastest growing area of the future, so why does every1 say that working in boring financial sectors or bank s tons better


I took the academic science route. It's one of the best jobs in the world in the sense that you pretty much get to be your own boss. As long as you get grant money, you are only limited by your imagination. Nothing compares to the intellectual challenge of this job. That said, there is a ton of pressure to write grants and to publish (particularly in biomedical science) so I must say that this is not for folks that just want to make money; they will end up frustrated and spiteful like of my undergraduate lecturers at Edinburgh University. If it's money that's the deciding factor, an MBA is the fastest way to get there. I say follow your heart and you will not go astray. I'm living proof. Good luck.!
Reply 14
Avatar for Howard
Howard
5
frost105
My window cleaner is nearly on £20,000 a year!


That's what I mean. A good window cleaning round might bring in £40+k A recent PHd scientist beginning a research career would be lucky to make £16k. A garbage collector earns more than that! Science in the UK is truly a labor of love.
Reply 15
Avatar for Howard
Howard
5
AT82
Most of my lectureres are stinking rich, they don't work the full 9-5 like you would in industry and if they have a PhD they get paid around £35k a year, plus they also have other publications they will be making money on.

£35k a year is way way above the national average. Yes you can probably earn more with the same qualifications in industry, but if you want a nice job which is quite secure then being an acemedic is a good job to have. It is somthing I have half considered but my mind is all over the place at the moment and I want to have a go at running my own business.


Stinking rich? Are you kidding? 6-7 years of university education and they make £35k. That really is peanuts in the light of the effort put in and the actual cost of living in the UK.

£35k a year! That's really not a "stinking rich" salary.
Reply 16
Avatar for AT82
AT82
Howard
Stinking rich? Are you kidding? 6-7 years of university education and they make £35k. That really is peanuts in the light of the effort put in and the actual cost of living in the UK.

£35k a year! That's really not a "stinking rich" salary.


Still nearly twice the UK average, most the workers I know who haven't got a any university education are on about £11k. So £35k is a lot of money indeed even for UK standards.

Also don't forget that I mentioned they also make a lot of money on the side publishing books etc.
Reply 17
Avatar for Jecca
Jecca
if i could do anything it would be to be an science academic forever, regardless of the money, the only limit is your mind. WOrking in the private sector means you are so limited - why do you need money if you really love the science?
Scottish Chap
I took the academic science route. It's one of the best jobs in the world in the sense that you pretty much get to be your own boss. As long as you get grant money, you are only limited by your imagination. Nothing compares to the intellectual challenge of this job. That said, there is a ton of pressure to write grants and to publish (particularly in biomedical science) so I must say that this is not for folks that just want to make money; they will end up frustrated and spiteful like of my undergraduate lecturers at Edinburgh University. If it's money that's the deciding factor, an MBA is the fastest way to get there. I say follow your heart and you will not go astray. I'm living proof. Good luck.!


if they are spiteful and frustrated, then they are tossers!! they went in to it, they knew the deal, tough ****! half the world is starving! rant over :biggrin:
Howard
Stinking rich? Are you kidding? 6-7 years of university education and they make £35k. That really is peanuts in the light of the effort put in and the actual cost of living in the UK.

£35k a year! That's really not a "stinking rich" salary.


considering the top pay for someone of Roger Penrose or Hawkings ability and application is about 40,000, its appalling -compare that to a solicitor/GP

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