Magde, a marine geophysicist who earned her Ph.D. in 1997, discovered that pursuing a career in the academic research setting is so difficult she may be forced out of the field. After her postdoc position ran out, she interviewed for several jobs, including additional postdoc opportunities, to no avail. Dr. Susan M. Henrichs, professor of marine science and department head at the University of Alaska's School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences in Fairbanks, has spent her entire career in research and teaching in academia. Her forecast is based on the status of research funding. Graduates will hold a number of jobs in a variety of sectors.
Most graduates can expect to change jobs often.
Many funding mechanisms, such as internships, externships, traineeships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships, provide the vehicles for educational experiences that are useful in postgraduate careers. The grand summation of these trends is that the scientific enterprise is becoming increasingly interwoven with the economic enterprises of the United States. Dr. Jay W. Gooch is an environmental scientist with Procter and Gamble. In his position, Gooch helps provide the company with the tools and expertise necessary to ensure that its products are safe. Within industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, construction, manufacturing, energy production, and resource exploration and development, scientists and engineers provide important data to company managers.