"Basically what I'm trying to say, after the PhD is over, you may not even be interested in the type of job you are being offered now, maybe something better comes along. It really is a gamble."

yes this is exactly what i'm thinking. i'm not sure if i'm even in love with the idea of doing that type of job now! but it has security etc

at least you knew that a phd would help your career in industry, i really don't know what area i'd like to go into afterwards or if a phd would be a benefit. thats why i'm thinkin to myself it is daft to do one, not being totally sure where it will take me

still haven't decided :-( only have to tomorrow really. all the logicalness in my body says take the job, but i still feel like its not right for me. i feel by not doing the phd i will be missing out. but on what i don't know? maybe nothing? I feel like i want to use my brain and create or invent something new and be my own manager and be involved in the whole research area.....but maybe i'm just being daft. my supervisor says if i don't do it now it will be impossible to get in in years to come too

well i guess i'm afraid i will regret not doing the phd, i know this is no reason to do one, but not many people do get the opportunity! i guess i feel i would really enjoy the reasearch etc but i am doubtfull about the career opportunities at the end of it!!

i don't know anyone who has done a phd, apart from the ones in my uni, who i can't really ask, plus they are the ones who are employed so they will likely only say positive things. so I'd like to hear from people if they feel theirs has been worthwhile or not!

at the minute i'm still 50/50!

thanks everyone for your advice

thanks Dan, the PhD did not help you to get into your current job then?

I've recently started a PhD in a relatively obscure research area. I did the same research for my final year dissertation and enjoyed the area so much that i applied for the PhD. the problem is now i'm in a total dilemma because i have been offered a job in the NHS and i really don't know what to do.

Without going into so much detail here a few key points: I have a young child and phd offers flexibility and i sort of think it may open some new exciting doors when i finish. However, I don't particularly see myself in academia plus i understand it is hard to get into research and lecture posts. If i take the job it will still be there in 3 years, with (hopefully) a chance of progression i.e. better money. Whereas i might do the phd and still apply for the same jobs i could do now!

Should i stay with the Phd and see what doors it opens for me in 3 years? or should i take the job and work my way up the career ladder that way. For NHS it is usually experience that is taken into account so after 3 years of a phd i would not be in a better position to get into the hospital. (if i still wanted to do that in 3 years) also with all the cut backs NHS and possibly other jobs will maybe be more difficult to come by in 3 years time.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated