Anyone do non-research work after undergrad for a bit, then eventually return to the research/PhD pathway? (U.S. based)
Graduating undergrad senior in June this year. Passionate about mental health and psych research, but overall very confused about the future. Unsure if PhD is the right career fit. Long post ahead :'')
Deciding between a job offer at a top boutique healthcare/biotech consulting firm, or continuing my research interests in psychology and neuroscience as a postbacc research coordinator. The consulting firm pays 98k (w/ guaranteed 10ish% raise each year and increased % of bonuses every year too), research pays 50-60k in the same expensive geographies.
I genuinely love research and had been interested in pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psych for the past 2.5 years, but I don't know if I can commit to years of poverty wages and low savings. Especially given the fact that a psychologist's average entry level salary at 30 years old is, approx what my salary would be at 22 if I took this job, lol. My long-term career interest would be to have one foot in industry and one foot in the science/clinical stuff, do some sort of translational research and impact work (public health, startups, venture?). I don't want to become a professor. I can definitely see myself doing part-time clinical and assessment work as I have enjoyed my clinical volunteering so far.
My thought process was that I will work the consulting job for a year, see how it goes, and if I miss research or have some epiphany I will apply to research jobs again next year. But a major concern of mine is that even a year away could diminish my attractiveness as a researcher... I will be questioned why I left to do consulting and why I am coming back, v.s. students who are all-in.
I will have 3 years of undergrad research experience when I graduate this June, with 3 poster presentations, a couple fellowships from prestigious psych organizations, and an honors thesis, no pubs (but 2-3 papers in the publication pipeline over the next couple years hopefully!). And am graduating from a top 10 university in the US with a 3.7, CS + Psych. But I still definitely have a long way to go in terms of thoroughly exploring and learning various methodologies/analysis techniques and further refining my specific research interests.
So, now for my questions: What would you do if you were me? In all honestly, I am strongly leaning to the consulting job right now. But, if I want to reapply to postbacc CRC/RA roles next year... how will people view me? Will I be viewed as noncommital? And would there be there a way to frame or explain my consulting experience?
Future-looking questions: I deeply want a PhD because I love research. Have loved doing my honors thesis, and my other side RA jobs. I still have so many questions I want to pursue and am so inspired by specific labs I have interviewed with. But, I am also passionate about translational work. I can see myself being a researcher/advisor at a mental health tech company or running a health organization or doing scientific communications work as well as clinical work. And I also care about money and want to be financially well-off. I know, I know, these are all tall asks. So I don't know if a PhD in Clinical Psych is the correct path for me. Maybe a PhD in a different area. Or, in retirement, lol. I have also considered healthcare law. MD I am not interested in at all. I'm all ears if people have other ideas.