My impression is that, of FHI’s focus areas, biotechnology is substantially more credentialist than the others. I’ve been hesitant to recommend RSP to life scientists who are considering a PhD because I’m worried that not having a “traditional” degree is harmful to their job prospects.
Do you think that’s an accurate concern? (I mostly speak with US-based people, if that’s relevant.)
FWIW I agree with Owen. I agree the direction of effect supplies a pro tanto consideration which will typically lean in favour of other options, but it is not decisive (in addition to the scenarios he notes, some people have pursued higher degrees concurrently with RSP).
So I don’t think you need to worry about potentially leading folks astray by suggesting this as an option for them to consider—although, naturally, they should carefully weigh their options up (including considerations around which sorts of career capital are most valuable for their longer term career planning).
I don’t feel like I’m at all an expert in biosecurity careers, but I agree with that directionally they seem more credentialist.
I think this is a consideration against RSP, although it doesn’t feel like an overwhelming one, since:
It could be a reasonable option before a PhD
This is particularly relevant if taking the time to think about what you want to work on allows you to do a PhD in which your work is much closer to things you eventually care about
(similarly it could be a good option for some people after a PhD)
There may well be some roles (now or in the future) which are less credential-locked
My impression is that, of FHI’s focus areas, biotechnology is substantially more credentialist than the others. I’ve been hesitant to recommend RSP to life scientists who are considering a PhD because I’m worried that not having a “traditional” degree is harmful to their job prospects.
Do you think that’s an accurate concern? (I mostly speak with US-based people, if that’s relevant.)
FWIW I agree with Owen. I agree the direction of effect supplies a pro tanto consideration which will typically lean in favour of other options, but it is not decisive (in addition to the scenarios he notes, some people have pursued higher degrees concurrently with RSP).
So I don’t think you need to worry about potentially leading folks astray by suggesting this as an option for them to consider—although, naturally, they should carefully weigh their options up (including considerations around which sorts of career capital are most valuable for their longer term career planning).
I don’t feel like I’m at all an expert in biosecurity careers, but I agree with that directionally they seem more credentialist.
I think this is a consideration against RSP, although it doesn’t feel like an overwhelming one, since:
It could be a reasonable option before a PhD
This is particularly relevant if taking the time to think about what you want to work on allows you to do a PhD in which your work is much closer to things you eventually care about
(similarly it could be a good option for some people after a PhD)
There may well be some roles (now or in the future) which are less credential-locked