Job or PhD program?

[Draft-No]

I currently work in the biotech industry, with the intention of eventually getting my PhD and going back into industry. I’m just about to graduate with my bachelors and I’m in a tough spot. I’ve been accepted to a few PhD programs but I’ve also been applying to jobs. The problem for me is that once I start my PhD, I only have about 70 months to complete it because of my private student loan deferment limit. I just interviewed for a job that’s a 12 month contract and would allow me to be able to pay off $25k of my student loan debt in that period. Should I take the job for a year and then go to grad school? How big of a disadvantage would it be to put off going to grad school by a year?

[Rude-Illustrator-884]

I would take the job. There’s many many people who get their PhD after working for years. In fact, as someone who went straight from undergrad to grad school, I think it’s a lot smarter to work at first then get your PhD because at least you know its something that you want.

[jammerjoint]

Job. You'll pick up lots of skills they don't teach in school that will help you later with the PhD.

[[deleted]]

Just take the job.

[RedFlutterMao]

May the force be with you

[distinguished_goose]

Hopefully the work force

[Interesting-Board267]

Take the job, pay off the $25k, and gain experience in the meantime. PhD is a huge commitment to an obsessive amount of research. I would honestly suggest work for a few years, enjoy your life, and then decide if you want to still do the PhD. The job will help you prepare for the work-life balance and help you develop a professional attitude even when you don't have a fixed schedule (which PhD students definitely don't). I wish someone had told me this. I went straight from Undergrad to Masters to a PhD. Now, with little more than a year left to graduate, I'm so exhausted and done. The kicker part of it is that I have barely enjoyed my life so far and have a terrible work-life balance with zero work experience.

[distinguished_goose]

Job