Weddingbee boards

So, I am a (miserable) PhD student about to start the comp exams process.  I am fully funded, so while I have no student loan debt, I make a stipend that would qualify me for food stamps.  I am on track and on time, but my peers are busy publishing and love their work and I feel like I am "behind" when it comes to developing my skills toward a career they want, but I don't. 

I did not know what I was getting into in this program.  I realize I don't like research, I am not super passionate about my dissertation topic, or the type of research I would have to do to study it in a way my department would find acceptable.

Yesterday, I got a call out of the blue for a fabulous job that is the type of career I want.  

Do I take it?

Try to take a leave of absence and come back in 9 months?

Stay and finish my qualifying exams for six months so that the only thing I need to finish is the diss?

I have a 20K fellowship for next year (starting in fall) that would allow me to take a job just like this, while still having a path forward to finish my PhD.  But the job will likley be gone, and these positions are quite hard to get.  I feel like I am only getting the PhD to "hedge my bets" and keep doors open for future opportunities.  But I am also having to turn down opportunities now, and I worry that with a PhD I will be limiting the kinds of jobs I can get (that both employers and I feel are worth someone going to school for that long).

I absolutely do not want to be a Professor, and I am not interested in teaching.

What should I do?! 

I guess it depends on what your program is. For me, a PhD would allow me to make twice as much (if not more) money as I can with a masters degree so I plan to do whatever it takes to finish up grad school and earn that PhD even though most days I absolutely want to quit. If you can honestly tell yourself that you won't regret dropping out and you think you will be happy in this new job then I guess you should go for it. I am very much an advocate for finishing something that you started though, especially something like a PhD. You've come this far, whats another 2 year or so? BUT if you aren't happy and won't be happy in that field then you should take the path that is going to make you the happiest! 

Thanks for the advice everyone!  I am still really conflicted on it, but I will interview and explore my options regarding the leave option.  

It's a social science PhD, so nothing is certain regarding my earning power with the MA vs. the PhD.  

I likely won't go back to school since I am already in my 30s.  Part of what makes it so hard to decide!

And ironically, someone just announced they were leaving the program today.  Something in the water? 

@justelope:  Can I ask which of the social sciences? And how you got a call out of the blue for job like that? The second question I ask just because it seems really unusual in the social sciences to get a job offer/interview for a full time job like that without the PhD. Usually things like that happen when its a short-term offer, or its a fairly new company--regardless, it is definitely something that makes me think you should do a LOT of background research on this opportunity.

That said...I am also getting a PhD, I'm in my 4th year, and can't wait to escape academia and get a real career. However, in my program (social psych and neuroscience although I'd rather take a job using the social psych degree and not the neuro part), you get a lot more power from the PhD than the MA/MS even when you go into gov/industry.  Better salary, more job security, more likely to end up in a supervisory position if that's what you want down the road, etc.

These things obviously are not always easy to talk over with your advisor, so I'd try to seek out people in your field who have gone non-academic and see their opinions.

If you can truely say to yourself that your PhD is not your passion (and you aren't just bailing on hard work) your life is too short to waste away doing something you don't really care about.  Another opportunity has come along - go for it and don't look back.  You will be so much more successful in life doing something you deeply care about.  

Thanks ladies for all the feedback.  I am still so torn, but I interview this week.  I am leaning toward finishing my comp exams and coming on with them in the fall since I think some additional staff turnover is likely (I know many of the people who work there currently).  I could take the job as an ABD, and would have two years to finish the diss (which I can do, even if I am working since I work now and my diss would be relevant to the job).

@bearlove I got the call because of consulting work I do on the side. They have been wanting to hire me, but didn't know I was not done.  The job doesn't require a PhD, but the MA will help me.  It isn't the company I consult for currently, but they know of the work I have been doing.

For anyone not planning on going academic route, work on the side in your desired field.  I would be screwed had I not kept my side work up since so many places want work experience, not just education. 

 I will def post an update when I have one.

Thank you everyone!

@justelope:  Ah you're so lucky! We have to agree not to do side work to keep our stipends. I've been trying to network like crazy in my quest to escape the ivory tower (while simultaneously keeping this secret from my advisor because leaving academia makes you a pariah around here)

Hey everyone. So I turned down the job and decided to stay.  It was a really difficult decision, but ultimately I think I made the right choice. 

I won't say that I am 100% happy about my program, but my advisor and I talked and she is on board with my dissertation topic and I am moving forward.  Ultimately, the PhD is going to help me, so it is worth it for me to stay. And I really want to finish working through some projects I know I would not finish without the structure of the program. We also want to start a family, and doing that in my program is a lot more flexible than rushing out into a new job.  So I am moving forward and trying to keep my eye on the prize.

Thank you everyone for all the great feedback.  This was such a tough decision, and as usual the ladies of the bee were so helpful at such an important juncture.