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- Nov 1, 2011
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I have a BS in cognitive science and have worked in several psych/neuro labs at universities and hospitals throughout my 20s as a research assistant/technician/coordinator. I both really enjoy working with people and doing research, but am feeling stuck because I don't think getting a PhD and being a PI on grants and/or the head of a lab is a good fit for me. I'm not sure if part of it is a confidence issue, but my perception is the higher-up you get, the less contact you have actually working with the people you study, and you're more involved with management, writing grants or papers, doing statistics, going to meetings, maybe teaching, etc. I also don't want to feel the responsibility of having to essentially be a small business owner by bringing in money to fund other individuals in my lab, but instead like being involved in the hands-on work of being with participants and analyzing data.
As an alternative, I've looked into healthcare fields like nursing/PT/OT but I think I would miss the research side of it and can find some of their work repetitive when I've shadowed. What's ended up happening is I feel like I'm working below my abilities in RA positions that are meant for people younger than me who are using them as a stepping stone for graduate programs and am frustrated because I feel like there's not really space in the sciences for someone like me. A masters degree might be a better fit for me, although I'm not sure what opportunities there really are out there that will satisfy me. I guess I can be a research coordinator, but I'm not sure how prevalent or stable those jobs are. Clinical trials are another route I've considered, but I'm afraid getting caught in the regulatory side of things may take the fun out of it.
I'd really appreciate some other perspectives!
As an alternative, I've looked into healthcare fields like nursing/PT/OT but I think I would miss the research side of it and can find some of their work repetitive when I've shadowed. What's ended up happening is I feel like I'm working below my abilities in RA positions that are meant for people younger than me who are using them as a stepping stone for graduate programs and am frustrated because I feel like there's not really space in the sciences for someone like me. A masters degree might be a better fit for me, although I'm not sure what opportunities there really are out there that will satisfy me. I guess I can be a research coordinator, but I'm not sure how prevalent or stable those jobs are. Clinical trials are another route I've considered, but I'm afraid getting caught in the regulatory side of things may take the fun out of it.
I'd really appreciate some other perspectives!
