In reaching the final year of my PhD in biological chemistry (non-clinical cancer research really, but let's not get too carried away) one is asked more frequently "what are you going to do next?". There is usually a slight pause before the word 'next', presumably where the questioner thinks better of asking what s/he would have done 10 years ago, "what are you going to do when you grow up?". This is not because it is patronising you understand, though it would be, but because I am 26 and stand 6'6" tall in front of them. But I digress.
It is a nagging question. I don't have one definite idea or desire for my 'career pathway', so depending on the humour of my co-respondent either I sound flexible to the opportunities out there or arrogant/weak with a dash of 'can't make up my mind'. The truth of it is the former needless to say, I have looked at a number of positions on the bigger vacancy websites (and the not so big) as well as making decisions based on experience (I worked in the pharmaceuticals industry for a time between my first and second degrees), leading me to various possibilities. Practical considerations are unavoidable -- the student lifestyle I have had for the best part of the last decade (my sojourn in industry as a graduate scientist was far from lavish) has more than run its course.
Normally carefully interrupting my wide-ranging answer the questioner, who let's be honest may well have just been breaking the ice, will sympathise about the current financial climate. This is of course an awkward point. One is lead in this case to be nauseatingly, neé gleefully, positive and so my response is usually based on the 'there are no problems, only opportunities' mantra. I'm not sure whether I believe that entirely or not, but it being 'management speak' it's not to be taken at face value -- and one could do worse that a positive take on it.
So where does all this meandering take me? Well, practical considerations (i.e. needing money) push me towards management and consulting where once it might have been the city. My experience points to post-doctoral work in a research group somewhere. The latter is not appealing on two grounds, both one's natural desire to move on and the pay is far from appealing. It might be comfortable though. Hmmm several options then. Thinking of the Cheshire cat and Alice of wonderland fame, I need to pick a road, at least to look at. Well, I shall pick strategy consulting for PwC. Let's see what that application process brings. Time to update the old CV.
