Questions on types of jobs available after PhD or MD/PhD

[wesida]

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Hello,
Currently I am a clinical laboratory science student on my clinical year (undergrad.) I am planning on attending grad school but I am still not decided on where to go (as in which field).
I am still searching onto what exactly PhD graduates can do after they finish school and research. In other words, what kind of jobs are available?
For example if I plan on going to an Immunology PhD program, what kind of jobs should I be looking for? Maybe research institutions, laboratories, etc...

Another question, if one finishes the MD/PhD program, will they be able to work as a physician right away or is there more work to be done to be able to work.

Forgive me for these basic questions, but answers to them will help me make my decision. If you can guide me to an article or a reading that you know of which explains some of these questions it would be great.
Thanks in advance

 

[Pharman]

PhD programs usually entail a pursuit of one of two things: research and academia. Research jobs include positions in Universities (both public and private), research institutions (both public and private), and pharmaceutical companies. An example of a research institute can be National Institute of Health or National Cancer Institute. Examples of pharmaceutical companies vary from Johnson and Johnson to Hoffman La Roche. If you chose to go into education, your PhD will come in handy if you wish to become a professor, lecture, or a research professor who teaches and does research. These jobs are almost exclusively in universities.

Although many jobs are available, the starting salary isn't as promising or as great as physicians. If you are trying to make the big buck with a PhD, then you will most likely want to go and work for a private research institute such as pharmaceutical research.

If you choose to pursue an MD/PhD degree, you have two choices after you graduate. One is to go into research/education, this would take advantage of the PhD side of your biomedical education. The other choice is to go directly into a residency program and be legally certified to practice medicine. This would take advantage of your MD degree. All this can be done right away without further issues. The only issue I could possibly think of is if you went into the research/education path, you might need to complete a Post-Doctoral training program as a continuation to your PhD training.

 

[wesida]

Pharman,
Thanks for the detailed explanation.👍
MHB

 

[Pharman]

You're very welcome.