Alternative careers for a science PhD dropout

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/indexfaq.html. The link is to what I do (index for Medline). It is an excellent job for some people. It depends on whether you enjoy working alone (I do) and don't mind sitting in front of a computer all day (I don't). It's constantly challenging and very flexible wrt work hours. My quality of life is immeasurably better since I left academia. Plus, it pays better than a post-doc. Memail me if you want any more details.

Like Tryniti mentioned. There is the field of environmental consulting (I work in the industry as a geologist). There is generally a need for scientists with a good grasp of biology/chemistry. While it may not be tailored specifically to your background, it is an option. Honestly, the amount of use you get out of your degree in this field will vary from position to position, but is is a career option. Most times they are rather understanding of any differences between working in academia and working in private inductry, and they will hire you without industry experience, because your background knowledge is what they want. The particular processes and activities related to the position can be trained on the job. A Masters does make you more attractive, and will boost your initial pay.

Just wanted to leave a quick update in the thread, since that March deadline I mentioned has come and gone. I'm still in the program, with a little bit more funding secured to get me through the summer. So it's a little more plausible that I'll be able to finish the PhD. I really appreciate all of your advice, and now that things are a little more relaxed in the lab I've been starting the job search in earnest, with the assumption that I'll be looking at PhD-level jobs instead of MS-level. But getting an idea of the range of options outside of academia is really really helpful - thanks again!

Give a try to these two books http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879697253/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ and http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0125893760/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/ I am in similar scenario as yours but I don't feel guilty at all. My boss has let me down a big time. I don't do science by making deals whereas thats his/her way of doing science. And that makes me sick.

Just a quick note if you decide to go the lecturer route. I am not advocating a part time position or adjunct teaching.- yes, part time teaching pays peanuts and to survive it would require cobling together several part time positions and would be a lot of work. I would never recommend that anyone do this as a career. The same place that you see full-time faculty positions listings (eg, chronicle for higher education), you will from time to time see full-time lecturer positions. These salaries do pay close the same that you would get as a full-time faculty member. The course load is similar to full-time faculty, but you may be asked to do something extra such as coordinate labs, etc. I would only consider it an option if you like teaching and want to explore academia. Academic salaries are really low. I'd only do it it if there is something that you enjoy about your field, or if you want to leave the door open just for a bit

Thanks again for all of the advice. There was a whole whiny backstory I initially typed but deleted for the sake of brevity (ha!). I should clarify some things that have come up, especially in http://ask.metafilter.com/157442/Alternative-careers-for-a-science-PhD-dropout#2256913's and http://ask.metafilter.com/157442/Alternative-careers-for-a-science-PhD-dropout#2256991's comments. The absolute deadline for finishing is 8 months. We are out of money, and once my fellowship is up, my tuition and stipend will not be paid. I have discussed this with one of my advisors, and his position was that while he'd like to see me finish, the amount of work left to do is significant, and they "won't give [me] a PhD as a consolation prize." He doubted whether I would be able to complete the work (and write it and defend it) in the amount of time I have left, but said that it might be possible given a huge amount of time and dedication. I'll be discussing this with my other advisor later this week when he's back from vacation, and I have a committee meeting scheduled soon where I can get more opinions. So even if I decide to stick it out and try to finish, I might end up in the same position in March - looking for a job without a PhD. Your advice will likely be put to good use!

As far as lecturer positions... honestly, those suck and pay next to nothing. My university paid $3000 per course per semester. That's it. Those positions are cheap labor for the universities so that they don't have to pay for full professors. I work at a research laboratory that has a few ex-community college instructors with M.S.'s: they all say how much happier and less stressed they are now that they're not teaching full-time anymore. While I mentioned IP/patent consulting for biotech companies, there's also a demand for technology analysts with the right background to work for venture capital firms looking to invest in biotech startups.

The first thing I'd suggest is talking to your advisor, unlike me it sounds like your advisor might be on your side. Clearly layout how you feel, that you are thinking of quitting, and ask them to clearly explain exact what you'd need to do to finish and how long they realistically think it will take and at what level of working. This is excellent advice. Find out how much work would be needed to get a presentable thesis......despite feeling like crying, youve put a lot of work into this thusfar, and if you're genuinely near the finish line, then it may be worth sucking it up a little more. Genuinely is the key. Get some honest assesment as to whether it's actually 8 more months max, or if it's 8 months at best. You have an idea as to your thesis' worth (but confirm with your advisor): is it just that you need to polish off slogging through data collection and you'll be able to finish the story, or are there lots of high-risk expts that if they don't work will invalidate the thesis and/or require lots of make-up work to do something 'worthy'/publishable, thus wasting the 8 months - and possibly your grasp on sanity. Re: the stress, and crying. The counselling advice is good. Maybe the fellowship can be put on pause for medical leave while you de-stress or get counselling. What I'm saying here is that it may be the right decision to down tools if you really can't finish either because of health problems or unfeasible goals, but maybe you CAN finish with a modicum of discomfort.

Heh, you could be me just earlier this year in fact (in fact you could comb through the ask mefi archives and see a panic stricken want to quit question from me too, though I had a psych/neuroscience PhD, not biomedical). The first thing I'd suggest is talking to your advisor, unlike me it sounds like your advisor might be on your side. Clearly layout how you feel, that you are thinking of quitting, and ask them to clearly explain exact what you'd need to do to finish and how long they realistically think it will take and at what level of working. At the same time, be honest about what sort of support you think you'd need to be able to finish. After that, spend a week or so thinking about that and whether you think you can do that or not. If you decide to quit, don't let anyone feel bad about it. PhD's suck, and the only reason to get one is if you absolutely NEED to have one to do what you want (which doesn't necessarily sound like the truth in your case). Working for a journal definitely sounds like a possibility, as is teaching at Community Colleges (which only take Masters), however, depending on where you are, the feasibility of that is questionable, because here in Boston, there are so many PhDs floating around, many of those courses are being taught by PhDs. As far as lecturer positions... honestly, those suck and pay next to nothing. My university paid $3000 per course per semester. That's it. Those positions are cheap labor for the universities so that they don't have to pay for full professors.