PhD v MSF Question (applying, analysis, degree, jobs)

[Hudlander]

I am at a big crossroads in my life. My passion is demography and geography, and sports.

I decided to get an MA in Geography, because I love Geog topics (urban sprawl, transportation, population geography). I wanted to get a job with the US Census or DOT working on planning the next phase of highway and high speed rail, studying and preventing further sprawl.
Having graduated and search for over a year, I cannot get any paying work in my field, just unpaid internships.

I decided to look elsewhere and possibly go back to school to get a degree in finance. My undergrad was in criminal justice with a business minor. I enjoyed accounting classes, but too late, realized my annoying hobby of sprawl study and demography actually was a legit academic study.
So I choose to pursue this and go to grad school. I thought with the whole "Green" jobs mantra, I'd fit in.

Due to housing construction ending, and government slashes, my field is gone. My only choices are to give up and just take a job which I will hate and could do with a HS diploma. (option 1).

2: I could go back to school in January, study finance, and get a job doing budget analysis or investments. I do have an interest in budgets and investing, I do, and I want to learn how to make a good portfolio. But this is not my number one passion. Moreover, I am not a 9-5 culture fit. I fit very well in an academic environment, wearing jeans, having time off, instead of the 9-5 (or more like 8-6 daily grind). I work to live, not live to work. I am an ASer if you didn't notice.

3: I can go back to school, and get a PhD in Geography. I would love to study transportation issues (should we expand the NJTP or add high speed rail), population issues (how far will NY sprawl spread into Central and Southern NJ and what effect will it have on regional culture, will it overwash and overtake Philly influence in Mercer and Burlington County)? I love these kinds of questions.

Problem: PhD Is hard, will take 3-4 years, is pretty much hazing, and I will be busy and poor in school (you make maybe 15K and get another 10K in subsidized loans, meaning you need summer work, which all of us know is hard). Also, I cannot begin a PhD (if I get in) till August, Business school I can start in January (if I get in). But Business school with expenses will cost 60K for 1-1.5 years, PhD will cost 40-50K for 3-4 years.

They say if you choose a career based on earning, job security, and job demand, you are more likely to dislike it, which is why I chose Finance, because it is in demand unlike Geographers/planners. I also can start in January, be done in 1-1.5 years and out earning, PhD I won't be done until after 30. But, I had my best success in Academia, that is where I fit.


I would be curious of your thoughts, this is a very hard choice.

[MSchemist80]

PhD in geography pretty much is a commitment to pursuing a career in academia and hoping for tenure. That is another big long-shot. Also you are very dependent on finding a good adviser who cares about and mentors you. There are a lot of social dysfunctional people in academia that would have a hard time getting a job in the private sector.

The MSF is a better bet. There are tons of jobs for people that can manipulate money, stocks, commodities, loans.... Unfortunately that is what is valued in our society. Not scientific research, increasing the breadth of knowledge of humanity but managing, packaging, manipulating money.

[MSchemist80]

Originally Posted by Hudlander

I
They say if you choose a career based on earning, job security, and job demand, you are more likely to dislike it, which is why I chose Finance, because it is in demand unlike Geographers/planners.

Well they are a bunch of idealistic morons. Also, if you chose a career that has poor earnings, no job demand or security you are sure to not like it.

[Hudlander]

With a PhD....you can work in academia or get a job with the Federal Government doing research which would be ideal for me.
Very hard call.

I hate to ditch my MA in Geography, and I don't know if I will even like finance coursework (only taken 1 Finance course thus far). Very hard call.

[MSchemist80]

Originally Posted by Hudlander

With a PhD....you can work in academia or get a job with the Federal Government doing research

Both of which are long shots. I've been trying for several years to get a job in the federal govt. Everyone wants to work for them. As a result, it is almost impossible. There are thousands of applicants for each position. Same with academia. there is 1 opening for at least 10+ applicants.

[NJBest]

Originally Posted by MSchemist80

Both of which are long shots. I've been trying for several years to get a job in the federal govt. Everyone wants to work for them. As a result, it is almost impossible. There are thousands of applicants for each position. Same with academia. there is 1 opening for at least 10+ applicants.

Have you tried going back to school? I have 4 friends (one chemist) from my alma mater that got hired by the fed immediately upon graduating. The fed hire left and right from the university.

[MSchemist80]

Originally Posted by NJBest

Have you tried going back to school? I have 4 friends (one chemist) from my alma mater that got hired by the fed immediately upon graduating. The fed hire left and right from the university.

How so? Except for a few agencies everything is USAjobs.

[Hudlander]

Originally Posted by MSchemist80

Both of which are long shots. I've been trying for several years to get a job in the federal govt. Everyone wants to work for them. As a result, it is almost impossible. There are thousands of applicants for each position. Same with academia. there is 1 opening for at least 10+ applicants.

That is not really true.

English is 10:1, but Geography is 1 PhD per opening in Academia.
As well I understand that getting a federal job is rough BUT my understanding is this is much easier with a PhD.

[MSchemist80]

Originally Posted by Hudlander

a federal job is rough BUT my understanding is this is much easier with a PhD.

Judging by the KSA's they want more than a degree.
I've applied for jobs at the EPA and they ask about your experience applying the clean water act, or the clean air act, the federal estuaries act etc... even for basic entry level positions.

Same for CDC they want experience as a microbiologst working with influenza or mycobacterium tuberculosis.

I guess they figure with so many people applying they might just get someone with the exact insanely specific experience they are asking for. If I had a dollar for every eligible but not referred rating I got I wouldn't need a job.

[NJBest]

Originally Posted by MSchemist80

How so? Except for a few agencies everything is USAjobs.

They recruit hardcore at my university (Princeton University). They provide a good stipend if you're interested in their phd program. Check them out.. Their website is Princeton University - Welcome