Fellow PhDs',

I found this forum during desperation and depression. I felt better in knowing that I am not alone, but am ticked off by the number of us who feel worthless after many years of rigorous training. The system is broken, or else it couldn't possibly have its top 1% of the most educated population not have job security. What is more ridiculous is the barrier to entry in academia is worse than industry. A tenure system that has a throughput rate which ensures new professors entry every 15-20 years is not feasible.Waiting for a professor at the top to die, retire or find a better position else where, cannot be a part of our job prospects.

As a scientist I found myself in a chicken and egg situation. Biotech companies required 3-5 yrs experience in a narrow area of scientific protocol ( easily adopted by any science PhD in a week). But you can't get hired anywhere to get this mundane experience. In a nut shell, you cant get hired without industry experience and there's no place to go get that experience.10 months of unemployment and I found myself looking for jobs just to be a member of the general workforce; receptionists, sales clerk, baby sitter etc, all of which I could have easily done without giving up 7 yrs.

I decided to start my own business, not only will i be employed, I'll be the boss! After learning how to write a business model and researching, I am just about to embark on it. Its keeps me sane. Figuring out how to solve a problem and it be a source of revenue is exciting. Starting a small business entails hard work and trial and error. If it is one thing us PhDs' are made of, is hard work and resilience. For the scientists out there, the process of entrepreneurship has a surprising likeness to the scientific-method we practice/d. So don't let your talents wither, change the status quo. Consider being an entrepreneur!