This is great - thank you. I'll have a sound body of knowledge to guide me should I need it. I'm delighted you're all stepping forward as I'm clueless!

Anyone else want to join the party?

Thanks fm. Depending on what happens I might just take you up on your offer.

Thank you. All the emails have been sent and so I'll just have to wait and see. I can but try...

Now to explore other avenues to get back into the world of work.

I'm winding you all up - you only give credit where credit is due! This means I should have five stars:p

(Still winding you up)

I'd think so because that's documented evidence which you can produce, if necessary.

I'm glad all the advice was of help. Six months of feeling like that is telling but reading your most recent post you seem to have your head screwed on and I think your plan seems like a good one. I hope you have more luck sending your CV around than I'm currently having and I hope everything works out for you.

Do let us know how you get on.(up)

pjlu,

That overview was fantastic - thank you and probably what I needed. I'm someone reluctant to leave my comfort zone but am fairly miserable as I've no job, don't envisage getting one here anytime soon, no real friends but have always hankered for Australia. I think now is the best time for me to try something new but although I admire people who can move in the hope of getting a job I couldn't as I need some form of security which would be a job to go to. All in you only live once and it's only a 24 hour flight away and so if it didn't work out I could come back. At least that's how I'm viewing it. Your overview was so good because I'm contacting all the university departments in my field and I'll go if or where there's a job but will only go if I can get a job. To be honest, I regret not trying this sooner. You've been brill and I may ask more questions, if you don't mind, should there be any progress.

======= Date Modified 16 Mar 2012 13:02:28 =======
I'm going to look into this further.

No problem. The main thing you need to find out is what is the situation if you're aboard. There's bound to be something, somewhere about this.

I'll PM you

======= Date Modified 14 Mar 2012 22:00:09 =======
Unless you're engaged in research or have a background in something that could impact on your ability to be an impartial juror (say a degree in law etc) you'll most likely have to do it if called. It is difficult to get out of as I know of sole traders who have had to close up shop and do it (but that was years ago). I think if you're abroad it should be OK (as you couldn't put your life on hold for a possibility and it would be difficult for you to drop everything and come back) but check that out now.

======= Date Modified 14 Mar 2012 18:58:08 =======
You're certainly not havinalaugh judging by your post but if you can understand Deb's post (sadly I can't) you should be able to get to grips with your PhD.

Sorry, I couldn't resist havinalaugh :p

More seriously, a lot of people feel overwhelmed starting a PhD. How long have you been feeling like this?

Options:

Could you and your supervisor talk it through and perhaps make it more towards your strengths? You need to find a way to 'sell' this to her.

Plough on, PhD's are hard work but the odds are strongly in your favour that you'll pass.

Plough on but look for jobs as well and then quit if you get one.

Quit.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know but do some brainstorming.

Whatever, please know you are not alone but I hope it all works out.

Thanks Ady. I haven't a clue who comes from where on here!!! I'll wait and see if I get a response to any of the spec emails I've sent first.

Anyone?

I'd even like to know a bit about what it's like to live and work in Australia for my own interest.