OK..I will give you some background...I have a B.S. in Chemistry,
Biochemistry, and Microbiology...I have been in Graduate School for a
little over a year to get my doctoral degree (PhD) and recently been
wondering about my career choice...It seems the way things are going I
might not get my PhD for another 4 years (4.5-6 years total)...my
major professor is also not the easiest to work for...I dont get a lot
of guidance and work with people who dont lend out a lot of help but I
manage fairly well...I can however go back to school a get a B.S. in
chemical engineering in 5 semesters (2.5 years)...Now I would like to
get married soon and want to be able to provide for my family..I would
like to make enough so that my wife could stay at home and watch the
kids (when we have them) untill they are old enough and are in
school...so finally my question is...Is it worth getting my PhD in
Molecular Biology (and work in the private or government sector) or
should I go back to school and get a Chemical Engineering degree or
should I go out there with my other 3 degrees and try to find a job?
Another concern would be how far would each choice allow me to advance
in that particular field and how fast.

---

Clarification of Question by chad_la-ga on 21 Sep 2002 11:10 PDT

Ok..I realize that my question may sound like I need advice rather
than research done but I was looking for information regarding
salaries, job outlook,  and advancement in the particular field...I
appreciate and welcome the advice but as far the "Google Answer" I was
looking for the information stated above. Thanks again for the
responses I have gotten so far.

There are a lot of uncertainties in any future.  There's no guarantee
that when you have children your wife will still want to stay home, or
that your income will be enough regardless of your job position.  In
addition, the reality is that you may someday get divorced or not have
children at all.

A Ph.D. represents more than a job choice.  It is long-term commitment
to research, study and contribute to your field of choice.  The grunt
work at the beginning will be tough, but at the the end of the road
you will be a highly qualified professional able to have a significant
impact on your discipline.  As an engineer, your knowledge and skill
will be well reimbursed, but your career options and ultimate
progression will be more limited.

In the end, follow your passion.  It's the only way you won't have
regrets.

Joshua

This is an opinion.  Not really meant as advice, though it can sound
like it is nothing else. (alright, so it's advice)

Get your advanced degree.  We are entering exciting times in the
fields you are studying.  I don't think you want to miss out being on
the cutting edge after the studying you have already done.  And you
will find it very difficult to do so without that Ph.D.

Perhaps I'm lucky.  I only obtained my BA and have managed to rise
fairly high in my profession.  But that is the exception rather than
the rule.  I gave up the Ph.D. because I had anticipated other
obligations to family, marriage, etc.  Well, I had an excellent
marriage and the problems I had anticipated didn't arise.  That's when
I learned to follow the advice of an early 20th century American
president who used to take summer long vacations in Maine. (and whose
name I cannot remember just now)

Anyway, to paraphrase him: - If ten troubles are heading down the road
in your direction, relax - nine of them will run into the ditch before
they get to you.

Get married, continue your education, live your life.  Please don't do
what I did and allow a simple 'anticipation of events' to determine
your future for you.

Remember that tired old line - "The early bird gets the worm.  The
second bird gets nailed by the cat."  Don't be the second bird.

Now before I get into a long line of tired old phrases, I wish you the
best whatever your decision turns out to be.

Chad,

Your question deserves a much longer answer.  This is what I would do.

1. Get a PhD - this world is turning into one that compensates
specialists an those with multiple degrees.  BS's, including
engineering ones, are no longer enough.
2. Get married and have kids while getting a PhD - universities are
great to raise children.  You don't need a lot of money in life to
have a good life, with fundamental essential necessities.
3. Figure out how to mix you current PhD with chemical engineering
somehow, if just to approach employability of an engineering degree. 
However, all PhD program are fundamentally very flexible.  All future
work in say, biotechnology will requires multiple disciplines in order
to function optimally.
4. Change advisors. - There must be many to choose from. You must
choose one that respects you, and that doesn't make your life
difficult.  Search and you will find a better one.

In other words, do all the things that you are currently doing with
all the options you are considering.  There's nothing in the world,
especially not universities, that dictate that you must choose only
one path.

Good luck,
Claudietta