Is there even a point of getting a PhD if you dont plan on staying in academia after graduation? For an academic career a PhD is basically a necessity (unless you are content with doing grunt work all your life), but what about outside of it (i.e. industry)? To me it seems like employers care more about experience and positions held at past companies rather than education and scientific achievements. Also, know-how wise spending 5 years (even as an assistant) in an R&D department of a high-level company would get you pretty much equal know-how with a PhD, right? Also, the more time you spend in academia (getting a PhD) the less industry experience you have, right?
So, is a PhD worth it in an industry career?