Do companies consider PhD education as a "work experience"? [closed]

Question

If I am a PhD holder, and if the job that I am applying for is in the same (or similar) field as what my PhD education was about, would companies consider my PhD education as a "work experience"?

For example, there are some jobs that asks for a Master's degree or higher, as well as the 4-5 years of work experience. While I am not a Master's degree holder with 5 years of work experience, I have PhD in the same field as the job. I am trying to apply for Biostatistician position with Clinical Research/Pharmaceutical companies

Would companies consider my PhD education as something that satisfies the years of work experience requirement?

Answer 1

It depends on the company. But most companies I know (large internationals) don't consider it work experience unfortunately.

I came across some that do, however. For example at some consulting companies (AFAIK McK and BCG) you receive a higher grade when starting if you've completed a PhD or an MBA.

But you don't lose anything by trying.

Answer 2

No, although...

• An employer may consider accepting the PhD experience an equivalent of a Masters plus (however long it took you to get the PhD). Since this will vary wildly by employer, major, and position you'll have to get their feedback. This is pretty common for many positions.
• I would think that most professors in your department, and maybe your college recruiting office, would have a very good understanding of how your major translates to the above 'equivalent experience'.

Good luck.

Answer 3

It's all in the way you frame it. Some non-PhD holders may assume that getting your PhD involved taking classes and studying for tests. It's on you to explain that you were actually a researcher. For example, you can put "doctoral researcher" or (arguably) "researcher" as your title (rather than student).

These requirements are very squishy, at least in the US. They say they want master's plus five years. That can mean:

1. They actually want a master's + 5 years. They consider PhDs to be overqualified and master's with no experience to be underqualified
2. They want a "mid-level position", and anyone with master's + 5 years or roughly equivalent will be fine
3. The hiring manager wants #2, but HR thinks they want #1, so you have to "trick" HR to get to the hiring manager
4. Many other things

There is no down-side to applying. Apply, frame it well, and claim that you're qualified -- either they'll buy it or they won't. If they don't, nothing is lost; if they do, you might get a job.