Hi everyone, I am currently working as J2EE Developer with an Investment Bank in London, however I always wanted to complete my PhD, and now it seems this true come true, I will be starting my EngD in Nuclear Engineering with British Energy/Dalton Research Institute in Glasgow this Sept. My question is, I am earning around £50k in my current job, what will be my position after I do the EngD, I was told by British Energy (the sponsoring company) that its likely I will be offered a Senior Managment role within British Energy, in general is the EngD better than PhD and.. in specific in Nuclear Engineering..

Thanks
Ali

Hi alauoubiy. I was going to post a discussion on the very topic of professional doctorates such as the EngD. I'm in a similar position though I'm considering whether to go for the EdD (doctorate in education) or a PhD. From the reading I've done, the professional doctorates seem to be the best bet if you don't want to work in academia - they are much more practice-based as opposed to the theoretical bias of the PhD. I'm working full time and, looking at the salary for academic positions, I couldn't afford the pay cut.
Academics don't tend to like the professional doctorates as they see them as the poor relative of the PhD. What do others think?

You might want to check out this site as well:
http://www.ukcge.ac.uk/report_downloads.html makes for interesting reading

there has always been a hatred of phds or anything related by some in the engineering sector. i dont know why. however, the fact that british energy are sponsoring you suggests they are not phd adverse.