I am a mechanical engineer, so the rules might be slightly different, but I have been told: If you want a job in industry you are wasting your time getting a P

I am a mechanical engineer, so the rules might be slightly different, but I have been told: If you want a job in industry you are wasting your time getting a PhD, and if you want a government or academic job then you are wasting your time doing anything else. You just need to find someone that values your degree, and startups might not be the right place.