Hi
Thanks for all the responses... I like my research topic and everything but the fear of regretting doing this after that I'm done makes me wonder I should do it or not... I know I'm not a quieter and I work hard once I've started something... Financially, I know I will be fully funded but it will be more about $1500-3000 per month depending which scholarships I would be able to get (I was nominated for some scholarships during my masters). The funding would be fine somewhat but nothing compared to what I actually get paid now... I know my PHD may or may not give a business idea but I know also at the stage that I'm right now at work I won't be able to come up with any ideas since I don't have deep knowledge or skills in something specific; plus is my work area is not my true passion.... Thanks

So you think there is no way that someone could come up with business idea in the field of their research during their PHD hey! I also to know more and be an expert in my field but on the other hand I'm thinking I will be broke by the end of my studies. Do you guys face financial issues. Do you think PHD pays off though?

Would MBA give me a business idea though? Most of people who do MBA at our company they still do what they did before and it seems more like a title to have rather than gaining any fresh ideas. My issue is that I am comfortable at work so I don't bother thinking out side of the box and I'm just going to continue at the company and not taking any risks.

Hi
My masters is in Combustion modeling more on Mechanical side. I am really interested in this topic. I am more like a thermofluids type guy but even at work I do more solid mechanics work which I don’t mind because I am practicing something different. My issue with MBA is that you still need to work for some big corporate and I know my company will support it since other people are doing MBA on part time basis. When I say my own business I am thinking more in technical world such as designing, manufacturing and consulting. I am afraid that I am looking to PHD in a naïve way but what I’m hoping it will give me time to come up with an idea because my work is too busy that I don’t get a chance to think about it plus once you get comfortable at a position they move you so can’t focus on one thing for long. I am scared once I finish my PHD I realize I was wrong all this long and here I go I am 31 and I have to start from scratch. So I am hoping to get some other opinions on this.

Hi
I hope your opinions will help me with the situation I am in right now. I am currently working for an Oil company with a fairly decent job and doing my masters part time in Engineering. It has been about 2.5 years since I started my job. I have changed positions already as well. I always thought I'm not a PHD type guy and it won't help me in future but it seems my ideas are changing a little. Now I'm getting concerned to become just a corporate type guy who goes to work everyday with coffee in his hand and do routine and come back home at the end of day. I always wanted to have my own business and do well financially. One thing I have realized is that I'm getting comfortable at work and don't have time or any new ideas to start my own business. I feel like my work is limiting me. After attending a conference couple of weeks ago, I started to think I should do full time PHD and quiet my job. I thought maybe doing a PHD will help me to come up with ideas that will help me starting my business after that I'm done. If I do my PHD I will be taking a major cut in my salary for few years and be almost 31 by the time I'm done my PHD. These days at work I'm really busy but I think so what I'm just like any other corporate guy and at the end I will be just someone like my supervisor . I have both business and research capability but I can't decide whether or not doing a PHD is a good or terrible idea. Can you please share your thoughts. Thanks