PhDs are for academics - or are they?

Abstract

The notion that PhDs are academic dead ends for chemical engineers wanting to pursue it after completion of their masters or leaving a good lucrative job to continue with it is discussed. A PhD allows a person to work in a broader range of research and development opportunities and be more involved on the innovation side of industry. It removes the invisible promotion ceiling that exists at most of the companies and and represents the only viable route to a teaching and research position in academia. Disciplines, companies and even nations that fail in this area, also fail to stimulate interest in the innovation and research that drives the future.