Career/Back to Grad School Advice

[Professor_Gene]

Unfortunately, I've become a casulty of the economy and have been unemployed for the better part of a year now. And, it's not for lack of sending out job applications. So, I'm debating the eternal question faced by those who have a Masters, but are unemployed....To continue applying for jobs or go back for the PhD I didn't finish...?

 

The highlights of my background:

M.S. in Genetics (B.S. in Zoology/Genetics before that)

M.Ed in Higher Education Curriculum Design

Many years experience in college teaching (from being a TA thru community college instructor; teaching freshman thru grad students).

Experience with non-profits & public education/outreach programs in the sciences.

Experience in student advising & coordinating academic programs in STEM.

 

Since my past colleagues/friends/etc. are split on this connundrum, I wanted to cast my net a bit further and get more opinions. Given my background and the economy, which would be the better option: to continue applying for jobs or consider going back to grad school for a PhD? And, most importantly: Why? (I'm looking at PhD programs in Biology/Zoology or Patheontology because of my interest in evolutionary genetics and taxonomy.)

[swansont]

One point in favor of returning to school is the prospect of being financially supported (albeit minimally, as compared to a real job) which you can probably determine before you commit to going.

[Arete]

As a recent PhD graduate, I would suggest strongly against it, unless it is a requirement for a new career goal.

a) Unless you are fully immersed in the project you undertake and willing to put in long hours for little financial reward for 4-7 years, you'll probably drop out. The drop out rate for US PhD programs is 57% http://edudemic.com/2012/01/phd-job/

b) There's no guaranteed job at the end. This a sobering take on the STEM PhD job market:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/us-pushes-for-more-scientists-but-the-jobs-arent-there/2012/07/07/gJQAZJpQUW_story.html

 

So what's you end game?