[toonies555]

you're studying to be a better employee to advance your career? or is just for a title (ceo or phd)? the startup gives you a shortcut to advance your career. you dont mention your age, if you're young, you can usually get away with making a career switch or two. the guy that goes for a startup wants to (probably) make a huge impact on the world in a short time. the guy that stays in big company will have more specialised impact but it probably wont be a headline maker of an impact.

we cant decide for you. but if you think of the two choices as those two extremes (big impact vs specialised impact) then maybe its easier for you to chose. good luck bossman

[bstockton]

Thanks a lot. The big impact vs specialized impact does frame things well. I almost see the PhD as a necessary condition for my career path; akin to an MD for a doctor. There are no laws governing the work like an MD. However, when I look at the people who are in the positions I want, less than 5% have masters, the rest are all PhDs. I'm in my late 20s by the way.