======= Date Modified 03 Aug 2012 13:43:02 =======
Are you a very private person with everyone, or just him because he's your sup?

(Oops! I think Lughna and I posted simultaneously. It wasn't meant as a rhetorical question.):$

I'm in Social Sciences, but checking abstracts from recent conferences is a good way of checking who is doing what.

Yikes!...Talk about Murphy's Law!

You really deserve a double martini once this is over!8-)

Sent you a PM with instructions for Word 2010. Let us know if you're using a different version.

======= Date Modified 31 Jul 2012 18:27:26 =======
What version of Word are you using? (e.g. Word 2003, or Word 2010)

Hi 404, I find it interesting that at your uni, supervisors don't have to hold doctorates. Are you working in the U.K., or somewhere else? At my uni (in the U.S.) supervisors have to be tenured. An untenured professor can be part of your five-member examination committee (the viva committee), but only one of the five members can be untenured. One member also has to be someone completely unknown to the PhD candidate.

Sorry! I know that wasn't what you asked...! I just find the rules and procedures fascinating, and wonder if at some point they will become standardized. (That would certainly make it easier for people interested in working abroad, or transferring their studies abroad.)

Kudos to you both on all your hard work, PamW & Blackbyrd!

If it helps, Blackbyrd, my sup advised to start with writing the last chapters first - the conclusion and discussion. Most likely this is what the examiners focus on in the viva. Also, it seems like once you get that bit done, the intro is easy.

That was my experience anyway.

Good luck & hang in there!

100,000 words in 5 months is pretty impressive! After this experience, editing a 400 - 500 page book will seem like child's play! 8-)

Yep!

A good way to deal with it is to prioritize, because you can't do everything! I would add one more thing to what Keenbean wrote: In my experience, I made a list of my sup's comments, and then organized them in order of importance. I focused on getting the top of the list done. Anything at the bottom of the list that I didn't get to were items I was prepared to discuss if, during the viva, the examiners asked about shortcomings, things I would change, etc.

Hope that helps.

Hang in there!

Hi Robk,

Do you think it could be to your advantage to let your supervisor know that the reason you're considering a Plan B is because you're concerned about funding? I would think he could argue on your behalf if there's money available in your department.

Concerning programs in the U.S., one thing you could consider is looking for a professor, or university-based research center, that is working in a specific area that aligns with your interest. Write to this person expressing your research interest (as specifically as possible at this point). If they're interested, they may try to recruit you. Similar to applying for a job, you want to tailor your inquiry in such a way that demonstrates you're the ideal fit for a funded place in the department.

Are you primarily interested in size, or should we also consider quality (e.g. firm versus squishy) and shape (e.g. apple-shaped versus overripe watermelon)?

Should the data collection be a visual estimation, or do you prefer a more "hands-on" approach?

I'm not in a hiring position, but these days, I don't think it looks strange at all. Due to the poor economy, it seems a lot of people are applying to jobs for which they are "over qualified." Perhaps the best thing to do would be to convince prospective employers that you're genuinely excited and interested in the job, and that you do plan to stay in the job for a while (and not just until something better comes). It could actually be to your benefit to say that you have the right skills, but just want more experience, and publications.