After PhD... What ?

This is my reply to a question posted by a member on orkut's PHD students' community. (this is mostly for my own reference :) so that I remember what I was telling to others :) ).

You have chosen to become a researcher so your main job should be this. Perhaps you can start independent research on your interests. Papers and experience are important in academics. Besides you may want to increase your abilities in research by doing a postdoctoral fellowship under supervision of a decent professor.

In business your actual benefit for the organization and abilities, organization politics and some other things are important.

I was able to become vice-manager of IT department of a relatively big bank in 4.5 years. But finally I found that living in a political, busy place with so much responsibilities is not the thing I want. Now I am back to the university doing research.

You look at your wishes and choose the way. Academics or business. Long term wishes are important because they are what you use to judge about your success.