======= Date Modified 21 May 2011 12:29:37 =======
I have been to Bangor University- it isn't a new uni or an old polytechnic- it was founded in 1884! I believe the business school is one of the best rated in the country (I think it was even rated top in the UK in an assessment last year or the year before). I know one of the lecturers from the school and it scores very well in various assessments. In terms of living there though, it is quite a small and quiet sort of place, but very friendly and cheap to live in! It's great for outdoor sports because it's so close to Snowdonia and loads of beaches, especially on Anglesey. There are a lot of pubs around, but only a few clubs. It's pretty close to Chester too. In terms of student satisfaction it's in the UK top 10- it's such a friendly place that people tend to really like it here, but most people have to move away after they finish uni because the jobs are pretty scarce. Personally, I had a fantastic time there, but it you're after a really wild time then it prob isn't for you! Best, KB

Hey! I think IFs are important to some degree if someone is looking at your CV for example, and can see that you have publications in journals with high impact factors. I think most people know the vague ranking of the journals in their own discipline according to IFs. Of course, you can have an article in a high IF journal that never gets cited, or one in a low IF journal that gets cited hundreds of times- you can't really judge an individual paper on where it's published- but it still looks good to have your papers accepted in well-regarded journals, instead of always going for the lower-ranked journals that will accept articles of a much lower standard. I think everyone has a different opinion on the value of IFs! KB

Hey AquaRoo! I'm just coming to the end of my PhD (4 months left to go) and will be one of the only clinical students in the department to actually finish within three years. I also have a number of first author publications and have presented at several conferences in the UK and the USA- so yes, it is possible. Having said that, in my first two years I often worked into the evenings and came in at weekends. This year, I was told by my supervisor to slow down as otherwise I would finish too early and apparently would not be allowed to submit that early...so at the moment I am basically doing 9-5, Mon-Fri and not much more. Not all PhD supervisors will expect you to publish, but I would strongly suggest that you do. As you can see from the other posts on here, jobs are so hard to come by and publications (and conference presentations) will really strengthen your CV. I went to an interview earlier this week for a position that I didn't get- but when I got feedback I was told that they had actually strongly considered offering me the post instead of the candidate who already had a post-doc, simply because of my publication record. In all honesty I think they did the right thing by going with the person with more experience, because it would have been a very challenging role for me to fulfill, but they said I was very 'appointable' because of my CV, and that I should have a strong chance of getting another position (which would be great if any actually cropped up!). So you can do it in three years, and to be honest, even if it delayed you by a few months I still think it would be worth it to have that on your CV. Good luck with it, and congrats on your offers! Best, KB

I agree Screamingaddabs- it really does matter who you know, and coming to the end of my PhD, I can really see that. Namedropping is annoying, but academia is such a small world and it does matter who your supervisors are and whether they are well known and well respected. When I have made enquiries about jobs and mentioned who I work with there is always a very positive reaction, and I'm grateful that I've had the chance to work with my supervisors. It really is necessary to get your name out there as much as possible because so many posts are filled by people who are already known to the employers, or at least their supervisors are known to the employers. KB

It's easy for me to say it now, while I'm just finishing off and haven't experienced years of not being able to find a suitable position, but I don't think I'll ever regret my PhD- I really have enjoyed it and have learnt so much more in addition to the academic stuff. I might live to regret saying that, but I don't think I will. Of course I'll be incredibly frustrated and hacked off if I can't find a job, but it's been such a good experience in so many ways that I'll still be glad I did it. Even when I'm working at Tesco ;) KB

Hey Pineapple29, you are such a touch cookie and an inspiration on this forum. I really admire how you have got through such a horrible time and are still there pushing through it. There will be nobody happier than all of us on the forum when you've got through this- I don't know much about what your subject is etc, but you deserve a PhD just for your determination and true grit. Go Pineapple (up) Really wishing you all the luck in the world with this, we're all behind you. Best, KB

======= Date Modified 19 May 2011 17:20:34 =======
Rigel, did you get any feedback from the 3 'decent' jobs that you were rejected for? Just wondering if there is anything you could do that might give you a stronger chance...obviously it costs loads to go to conferences and present, but could you be writing any publications whilst you're out of work that might give you a stronger chance next time a suitable job crops up? Maybe you already have some, or maybe they are not valued so much in your subject, I don't know. I had a job interview earlier in the week that unfortch I didn't get (beaten by someone who already has a post-doc under their belt) but they said they actually considered taking me on instead of the other candidate based mainly on my publications. Just a thought. Best, KB

Hey Rigel34, I really feel for you. I'm coming to the end of my PhD in a few months and can already see how few jobs there are out there that I would actually want to apply for, and I don't have the issues you do with not being able to move away etc. Is there no chance of going to your previous university and putting in some applications for funding with your PhD supervisor? Or any other nearby university? Sometimes it is possible to create a position for yourself rather than wait forever for one to come along. Although I am free to move after my PhD, I really want to stay put and have been putting in a few applications for funding with my current supervisor- of course the chances are still slim, but it might be worth a try if you haven't already done that. For the moment it sounds like you really need some support though- you sound at the end of your tether. Is there anyone you can talk to about your situation? I know talking doesn't solve the practical issues of your problem, but it can help you feel less isolated and more positive. I realise voluntary work doesn't help pay the bills, and as you said, you can only do a few hours, but is it worth doing something like that until you get something, just to get you out of the house and take your mind off things a little? Sometimes voluntary work can end up with you being offered a job as well if something comes up- I've a couple of friends who got paid jobs like that. Keep your chin up, and please get some help if you really do feel so low- you don't deserve to feel like that. Best, KB

======= Date Modified 18 May 2011 23:31:58 =======
Hi Elmo! Well I'm coming to the end of a 3-year PhD, and would say:

1) Start as you mean to go on- get into a routine, work hard (but make time to have fun), and you will be thanking yourself when you're in third year(or 4th in your case!)
2) Write as you go along- you will be very grateful towards the end if you have already got a few chapters written and under your belt before the big, mad writing up period.
3) Take opportunities to improve your skills and your CV- publish your work as you go along if possible and present at conferences when you have the opportunity. Decide what you want to get out of your PhD (apart from a PhD!) and go for it! In my case I was determined to get a few  publications and especially to improve my presenting skills, which was my main area of weakness. I forced myself to go to conferences and present, and it was horrible and a bit scary to start with, but it got easier and I'm so glad I tackled it head-on!
4) Don't be scared to ask others for advice- I am lucky in that I work within a large team so there was plenty of help and support available, but 
    sometimes you can stress over the simplest thing for ages and someone else could sort the issue out in 5 minutes flat!

They're the things that spring to mind anyway! Good luck! KB

Hi! Well I don't have either the guts or the will to accuse all of my superiors of lacking in intelligence, not least because I really admire the work they have done, but I can certainly sympathise with you about all the petty arguments and politics. I'm also being supervised by a couple of world-reknowned academics in my field and boy, they can be so bitchy, two-faced, spiteful...you name it, I've seen it all. My primary supervisor can be very immature when she's not getting her own way, shouting and door-slamming, and also positively enjoys seeing other academics fail at something, whether it be a grant application or whatever. I just try to keep my head down, ignore it all, and aspire not to be like that. We might not be able to change it, but we can choose not to get so bitter and twisted and then take it out on everyone else! Probably best just to mind your own, finish what you've started, and move on. When you've finished your training and are successful in your field, you will have the opportunity to have your own say and be listened to by the masses :) Best, KB

======= Date Modified 16 May 2011 21:46:35 =======
Hey Eimeo, really feel for you. I haven't submitted yet- I've got 4 months to go- but a friend of mine got a revise and resubmit on his PhD about 18 months ago and was also devastated. His supervisor had predicted no problems, and even texted him the evening before to say that he had been out with the external examiner for dinner and that he had nothing to worry about with regards to the viva. The following morning he had a 4-hour viva and a revise and resubmit. I happened to overhear his supervisor discussing it with his chairperson a little later on in the day, and they were saying how it was completely unpredicted and it was just bad luck that the examiner was as picky as he was. On the plus side- he completed his corrections, and passed about 8 months later without having another viva, even though initially he was told he would need one. So even though it's horrible and must feel really unfair when your sup said it was fine, I guess unfortunately there is no accounting for especially picky examiners. I'm not sure what to recommend regarding your position with your supervisors, but would it be possible to submit any of your work for publication in the meantime? It can be a bit of a drawn-out process but at least then you have feedback, and if successful it would suggest very strongly that your thesis is a worthy one. Having said that, you shouldn't have to rely on strangers- could you speak to your chairperson about your situation and see if he/she has any advice? Either way- just keep going- you can and will do it! Best, KB

Hey Jonnyt- well it really depends on what you have been doing in your first year. I am in third year at the moment with 4.5 months until submission and I am working far fewer hours than I have done for the rest of my PhD. I worked so hard in first and second year that I got quite ahead with my work and now am having to slow things down a bit, which is quite a nice position to be in. So if you have worked hard in your first year, you might not notice much difference. For me, second year was the busiest, mainly due to data collection and a lot of travelling to collect it. I would try to maintain a steady pace, it doesn't do you any good to get too far behind or too far ahead! Good luck! KB

Hi Mlle007x! Just to add to what has already been said- we do have quite a different culture here, but that does not mean that we are rude or have a superior attitude! I think it will just take a while to get used to how we operate over here- not to say it is in a better or worse way than in America- just that it is different. I visited America for the first time last year and also really noticed a huge difference in what is normal or acceptable- behaviour that to me (and my colleagues) appeared quite rude, offensive and shocking on some occasions seemed to be a regular occurence and completely acceptable in America, and I'm sure we acted in ways that were unfamiliar and perhaps not acceptable to the Americans as well (again, hugely broad and sweeping statement!). I have also found this with people from many other cultures who study in our department- it can take a while to 'get' each other, but in the end and with a bit of effort we all benefit from getting to know each other and learning a bit about other parts of the world. It's great to be a part of such a multi-cultural environment and the people in our department form different corners of the world have all been warmly welcomed and are enjoying their time with us. Anyway, I am hoping to visit a different part of America for a conference later this year, and am looking forward to it! I hope you get the admin stuff sorted out! Best, KB

Haha, I have sympathy! My sup is generally very quick and thorough with her feedback but she does frequently contradict herself and mark her own changes as incorrect lol! I think she devotes most of her memory functioning to more important things than PhD students! KB

Done- good luck with your dissertation! KB