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Ease entry into an alternative career field by obtaining a specialized professional degree

Nature Biotechnology volume 29, pages 368–369 (2011)Cite this article

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A professional science master's degree is specifically designed to add professional skills to those that are science-oriented, thus generating multi-skilled employees.

Many science and engineering PhDs are pursuing careers outside the laboratory (also known as alternative or non-traditional careers) these days1. A different skill set is required for these positions compared to that needed to flourish in the laboratory—business administration and marketing skills, to name just two. Although some can obtain alternative career positions without completing additional education beyond their PhD, others are struggling to find employment because—from the standpoint of potential employers—they lack relevant education or training. This point rings particularly true in a struggling economy when employers are seeking individuals who have a broad skill set in addition to having a defined expertise2. Many alternative career–seeking individuals must face the reality that beyond their research-oriented skill set, their PhD may need remodeling, and additional educational components may be required to obtain a desired non-traditional position.

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References

  1. National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics. Characteristics of Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in the United States: 2006 (Arlington, VA, 2009).

  2. Hart Research Associates. Raising the Bar: Employers' Views on College Learning in the Wake of the Economic Downturn (The Association of American Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC, 2010).

  3. Professional Science Masters. http://www.sciencemasters.com/

  4. National Professional Science Master's Association. http://npsma.org/

  5. Keck Graduate Institute. http://www.kgi.edu

  6. Tobias, S. Professional Science Master's is 21st century MBA. Science News 175, 32 (2009).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nathan L. Vanderford is at the University of Kentucky, Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.,

    Nathan L Vanderford

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  1. Nathan L Vanderford
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Correspondence to Nathan L Vanderford.

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The author declares no competing financial interests.

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Vanderford, N. Ease entry into an alternative career field by obtaining a specialized professional degree. Nat Biotechnol 29, 368–369 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.1841

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