Advice needed for burntout Post Doc considering doing MBA

burntout

Hi, so here is my story: I have a 2.2 degree in Biochemistry, after which I worked in the as a research associate with a Biotech company for 2 years. I enjoyed my research there and so decided to do a PhD. I got caught with a disaster of a PhD, in which I tried to keep as positive as possible and kept plugging away. These 4 years of my life were really draining both physically and emotionally. Although I passed my viva I’ve only managed one second author paper (I’m due to try publish a first author paper, but finding it very painful to re-open that can of worms at the moment). After finishing my PhD labwork and while writing up my thesis, I worked as a lab manager for about 8 months. I then fecked off travelling for 5 months, before coming back for my viva, etc. I then struggled to find a job. Initially I was looking for some science based position, just not on the bench. I naively believed in the PR spin and thought that with the skills I acquired during my PhD (planning, troubleshooting, supervising, etc) I should have fairly good job prospects. In reality, 10 months later and panicking I started applying for Post Doc positions. I managed to secure a quite good 3 year position, where I’m still working.

The trouble is I’m completely burnout as a researcher, while I am working hard (8am-7pm most days), my heart is not in this line of work. I don’t see a future for me in research, and I’m really tired of benchwork. I have been looking around for a change of career. I’m afraid that the longer I spend at the bench the more difficult this will be. While I’m not massively ambitious, I do think it is important to have job satisfaction, although I need a more balanced life than what I’ve had over the past 6 years. I am considering an MBA, with the hope that this should provide me with some a more general skill base which would be more applicable to a number of working environments, thereby keeping as many options open to me as possible. However, I am afraid that my lack of managerial experience will leave me highly educated, but with little experience. I don’t want to waste time and money on an MBA and find that I have priced myself out of the job market or put-off potential employers who don’t expect me to stay in a given job.

Does anyone out there have any advice. Have you done a PhD and escaped the bench?? Have you done an MBA and how did you find it?? Sorry for the rambling nature of my post. I’m a little lost at the moment and it really stresses me…

AARRRGH

I don't have a Ph.D or MBA, but I can understand your situation.

I think the most important thing for you to do is to continue listening to yourself and don't let any sort of social pressure or whatever trick you into continuing doing something you don't like.

dan_d

Knowing people who did MBA's you might be better off to try and get some experience first.
If you're burnt out now - an MBA is a lot of hard work. Do you want to take that on? Would you physically be able to right now? And how much of the content would make sense/be applicable to you, without experience?
I know it's hard out there OP, but I'm afraid my advice to you would be to try for more experience if you can. What you say is true - the longer you spend in research, the harder you will find it to get a different job. The other option may be to look into different masters programmes - there's a financial maths masters in DCU which you might be interested in maybe. I say that because it will widen your skill base, you have a science based degree, and it won't cost as much as an MBA (which is a LOT of money), and you might find it of more use. Obviously that's just one suggestion.

finisklin

Trust your instincts...they are right. No matter what your head says your instincts and heart are usually right. You have ambition becuase you want to change your circumstances and that is clear from your post. Perhaps the research and benchwork is a springboard to a career in project management, sales, marketing etc.

However, maybe a starting point is to figure out what your ideal job is and why you are suited to it. This could take the form of a SWOT analysis of your skills and experience.

I don't think an MBA is the answer to your problems.....a worthwhile qualification but perhaps more meaningful after you change your job, industry? In the current climate, an MBA is not a gateway to a job or even upskilling effectively, as employers are looking at candidates that have experience and that can make a difference to their organisations.

Perhaps it might be worthwhile consulting a professional career counsellor for some advice? A couple of hundred euros versus +€20k for an MBA may make it worthwhile. If changing industries may be consider a functional CV that highlights the skill sets individually e.g. project management, research, people management, budget management etc. The other good thing about this is that it is an unusual way of marketing yourself and does catches recruiter's eyes.

Anyway, don't linger in your current role too long or it may get the better of you......best to do something that makes you happy.....the trick is what?

Best of luck with it.....

InReality

Sounds to me like you need a break from academia. I wouldn't rush into more study , and maybe talk to your GP as well. Burnout can be a type of depression.

shoegirl

Don't even consider doing an MBA without at least 5 years of supervisory or management experience. Employers won't even look at you.

dudara

I was also burnt out after completing my physics Ph.D. I simply knew that I didn't want to work in academia anymore. So I applied for graduate positions in management consultancy.

As far as I'm concerned, it was a great move for me. Due to my extra maturity and PhD skills, I've progressed well and I have been challenged in my work. It's not been easy at times, but I do enjoy it.

Oafley Jones

shoegirl wrote: »

Don't even consider doing an MBA without at least 5 years of supervisory or management experience. Employers won't even look at you.

I didn't even think anyone could gain entry into an MBA program without a number of years of industry experience.

dudara

Oafley Jones wrote: »

I didn't even think anyone could gain entry into an MBA program without a number of years of industry experience.

You can gain entry straight out of a postgrad etc - but whether or not the MBA will benefit you or future career without experience is a whole other story.

micdug

An MBA helps you move from a functional role (managing one function) to a General role (perhaps still managing one function but interacting with many and having a P+L control of the function). It does not turn a grad into a generalist - you still need to have that core competency to build on.
I got my MBA after 8 years supervisory and was at Director level in the company I was in. We had a Science PHD in our class who was a production manager in a large pharma plant. That's where you get use from this expensive qualification. I'd strongly suggest you don't waste the money and time involved in an MBA and talk to a career guidance professional. Plenty of them out there and for a relatively small fee will set you on a course that will satisfy your needs. Not saying they will get you a job in this environment, but better investment then an MBA.