With regards to the family, congratulations on getting married! I got married as well during the PhD, it's pretty crazy isn't it? But as others have said, don't let social expectations pressure you. You and your partner have to ask yourselves, do you want to start a family? Is this something you really want? Is this something that has to be through traditional means, or are you open to fostering/adoption? If yes, you want a family and yes, through traditional means, you unfortunately have to think about that stupid biological clock. Many women at 30 these days do struggle with conceiving children which is the unfortunate reality. IVF is becoming more prominent for many women, and something you may need to think about if you do want your own children and have issues conceiving. IVF can be very expensive.

You of course, don't have to have kids. While society says you do, you don't. That's entirely up to you and your partner. But if kids are on the cards, and you're concerned about your age, it might be wise to see a doctor about your options and get your partner's sperm count tested. Of course, this isn't 100% guaranteed, lots of miracle babies happen! But something you should be thinking a bit more critically about.

Hi Nesrine,

I'm going to take a bit of a different approach here. First, don't stress about the future to the point that you're making yourself ill (though trust me, I know that feeling, it's absolutely horrific). But do keep thinking about your future as to where you would like to go in a more positive way as opposed to a fearful way (a hard task indeed!). Also, congratulations!

The lack of industry experience may (and keyword here is *may*) come back to haunt you if you choose to leave academia. But don't let this concern you, look at the gaps and see what you can do to fill them, such as volunteer work and pro-bono consultancy work to help get your foot in the door. It's also about marketing your transferable skills and PhDs have plenty regarding research methodology, working in labs, etc.

Publications/conferences, look some PhDs go nuts. My PhD was only 3.5 years and during that time I only published one article, went/presented at one conference, and presented at postgrad symposiums at the uni but they were a requirement. But that was it, I didn't do anything else other than a heap of teaching. At the end, I've been offered a level A academic role at the uni for a year, to see how I like academia on the other side of the PhD fence.

As Bilbo has stated, it varies between institutions.

I only had to wait a day. I submitted my minor corrections as a word document, with a summary of the changes I've made and how I've addressed the examiner's comments. This included an Errata section (so typos) and then an Addendum section (new insertions).

I only had to get them approved by the head of graduate studies in my department, so she approved them quickly so I could edit for a corrected copy submission.

You should probably wait until the application deadline closes, otherwise you're not going to get a direct response, and may actually have this push you out of the running.However...You've also said that other websites do not list an application deadline, so it's actually a really tough call.

If the application hasn't officially yet closed, that means others can still apply to be considered, so while he's checked your references in advance to perhaps get a head start (as opposed to waiting until all applications are in) and that is a good sign, it doesn't mean you have the job. A superstar could apply on the last date.

I actually don't know to be honest! It might be safer to wait until the deadline if that is the actual deadline...

If you're getting a PhD for a job, stop. A PhD is not going to get you a better job or help your employment prospects. There are plenty of PhDs here who are struggling to get work. If you're doing a PhD because you love research, then go forward.

Its hard to advise you without knowing whether you're completing a hard science PhD (in which you apply to PhD projects/roles), or an arts/humanities one (in which you develop your own research topic etc).

In my experience, the most important aspect is the supervisor, funding and depending on your type of PhD, availability of equipment. Then things like Uni location, research production, etc come after. A bad supervisor can ruin your experience and make it difficult to go forward. A good supervisor will open doors for you and help you succeed. You should apply to multiple schools, and research how the funding is given out. Some schools funding is based solely on grades, others are a combination. It's not necessarily about your research topic that will determine your funding (depends on the Uni), generally funding (scholarships anyways) are given out based on your past achievements/grades etc. But, you should also research supervisors and if possible, see if you can get into contact with former students (sometimes are listed) to gauge their experiences.

Oh I agree Ian, but I think the idea is that the more you branch out and utilise different ways of job hunting as opposed to the standard black-hole resume, the better chances you have of being somewhere at the right time.

Thanks guys!

Actually there is no university expectation for the supervisor/library copies. Hence the frustration of not knowing what colour to go with, though I'm leaning towards a dark red with gold for the main copies, and a pearl white with black and gold for mine :)

We don't have a logo to go on our cover...I would love a logo!

First, it would be best to not apply to just any job that you think you could do. This is tempting and the first strategy many take on, but it's actually not productive and that whole "sending out resumes everywhere" is just not an effective way of getting a job. At a PhD level, it's expected and better if you have an inkling of what you want to do, and yes, be picky because this is your career.

1. Check out versatilephd.com. They have an excellent outline on what you can do with your degree and how to get there. Find a few jobs you like the sound of. You want to narrow down the industry sector you want to work in.

2. Write down all the things you can do/like to do (As Ian & Hazy Jane have suggested). With the right tweaking, these are transferable skills. For example, if a position asked for workshop experience, but you have teaching experience, you can use that to your advantage in arguing that teaching and what involved with teaching is easily transferable to workshop development and facilitation.

3. Pick an industry and join some industry specific organisations.

4. Network. Join LinkedIn if you haven't already and 'market' yourself in the area that you want to work in. Join LinkedIn groups and see what projects you could join to demonstrate your experience/expertise as a pro-bono consultancy. You don't want to make lots of contacts, you want to make good contacts. A few good contacts goes a long way in helping you land internships, or contract work which could lead to permanent positions.

5. When applying for jobs, tailor your CV to that specific role and if it says resume, you need to use a one page resume that highlights only skills relevant. A LinkedIn profile would be helpful here as some employers will check it out prior to contacting you for an interview, or after the interview.

6. Be prepared for some very low days, the job hunt is not an easy road.

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Feels good doesn't it?! Just before the holidays :) You better celebrate hard over Christmas.

Hello everyone!

I'm just waiting on an approval to go ahead and insert my minor corrections into my thesis to be printed as a corrected copy (yay!) and then BAM, Dr Awsoci :)

There are no specific requirements as to what colour my thesis has to be, so I actually have plenty of options with the place I'm getting them bound at. I think that actually makes it harder, rather than easier!

I have no idea what colour! My one thesis advisor suggested to not go white or black (I liked the idea of a white...) or purple had my thesis been about new age religion (which it's not).

My thesis is on Australian identity and masculinity. Any suggestions for colour?

https://www.whiteslaw.com.au/thesis-binding.php

It's a frustrating situation.

Are you a full-time student? I think the unspoken expectation is that if you're a full-time student, you *should* be at the beck and call unless you have teaching commitments, illness, lab experiments, field work or conferences/seminars.

Supervisors are quite busy, and thesis supervision sits quite low on the priority list when compared with their other duties. While it is frustrating that you're expected to change your schedule to suit them, it's best to remember that they have very limited time available to meet with you, whereas as a full-time PhD student, there is the expectation that you arrange your schedule to suit them because unless you're in the lab conducting experiments or out doing field work, you *have* (and I use that word carefully as really, you don't lol!) plenty of time to work with.

Its not fair by any means, but I found in my own experience that it was far easier for me to just arrange my schedule to suit them as opposed to trying to get them to suit mine.

Hi Nesrine,

What an awful situation! I don't think you are being unreasonable in the slightest, but I do think that this is something that will need to be worked out between your brother and your parents as opposed to you getting involved.

I think you might be stuck between a rock and a hard place if he doesn't come clean, because on the one hand, he'll get angry with you for telling them, and on the other, your parents might get upset if you knew and didn't tell them.

Worst case scenario, you might need to 'choose a side' and lay low for a while if you have to be the one that tells your parents. As others have suggested, see what happens over Christmas and then go from there.

Have plenty of wine/scotch/whatever your preference on hand if things get bad and you just need to get a bit smashed (okay maybe don't follow that last bit but that's what I would do haha).

Hey Ganesha,

You need a game plan, and yes take some time to recover, but I think you are in a highly volatile emotional state right now, which means your decision making process and reflection is not going to be as coherent as it could be to handle this situation.

1. Step away from the mindset that you are being discriminated against because you are an international student, this is not helpful or productive and seems to be sending you into a deeper spiral. At a PhD level, there is an expectation that international students are able to adapt more readily than as an undergraduate, including understanding their rights and obligations. That isn't up to the university to spell out, or your supervisors, that is unfortunately, your responsibility as an international student to ensure a good understanding, you are an adult and therefore responsible for yourself, regardless of whether you are an international or a local at a PhD level.

2. Research your options regarding your rights. Go to the student union and talk to someone who can help you with this situation, including how to approach supervisors for continued supervision, or getting an alternate to help get you past the R&R mark.There are resources there at the university to help you, do what you can to utilise these.

3. Remember that while supervisors do need/prefer to see their students succeed, ultimately your PhD is your responsibility. As TreeofLife has said, an R&R is not going to be high on their list of priorities and you should be proud that you've made it this far! So many students on this forum received R&Rs and have made it through. Yes, its an absolutely gut-wrenching feeling, but it's better than an outright fail and it can be done.

4. Create a game plan for revision. Your examination reports will have outlined a number of areas that require attention, plan out how you plan to approach these and get to work.

5. Breathe. Remember, you are more than your PhD.

Hi Uranio,

It sounds as though you're in a bit of a pickle, but it's difficult to determine the best advice/response without some more details about your area of research, as lab experiments or hard science PhDs are very different from perhaps the social science or arts stream.

Yes, it's your PhD, but the role of your supervisors are there to help you shape it. One thing we PhDs have to be mindful of is that generally (not always) our supervisors do know more than we do, and our supervisors are not always up to date with the most current literature in our immediate area of research because they'll often have a lateral and not vertical interest. Some PhDs have very bad supervisors, and others, are bad PhD students, so I think it's good to perhaps be a bit more reflective on your own experience within this situation. Labelling them as arrogant and dumb is not helpful or productive regardless of whether they fit the bill or not.

Teaching and administration duties are also not by choice, but rather, something supervisors are given, and PhD supervision is actually quite low on their more pressing duties. I'm not sure where you're located, but at the Uni I'm at in Australia, they are given 'points' that determine the type of workload they take on, even those in tenured positions! Some are given a high number of research, while others teaching, and teaching can be so time consuming! Those who secure high research grants tend to be able to consistently opt out of teaching duties.

Anyways, if you're finding that your supervision isn't working out, you can look into options of moving. Does your university have confirmations of candidature or the like? I know at my uni there was a PhD student whose research actually suited a different department and they were recommended to change at their confirmation. Is this an option for you?

I'm going to have to agree with TreeofLife Ganesha.

I am an international student and I don't see my supervision as being dumbed down nor do I see myself as any more competitive because of my international status. I also do not view my international status as a hindrance even though I have additional visa and immigration issues to worry about. I chose to study here as an international student and I am aware that I may have additional challenges that my local colleagues do not. I do not expect the university to be more accommodating for me, I have adjusted myself to suit the university's mission and ethos.

But I've done well here, having just been offered a Level A teaching position at my uni after completion of my PhD, because I worked hard and because I took on board all the wisdom my supervisors have given me. I do not think of myself in any way more intelligent or better than them, they have had years of academic research and experience under their belts, and the purpose of a PhD student is to learn from them.

supermariobroche, if you have a good supervisor, let them help you! Let them help you with your writing to improve, I allowed my supervisors to help me with mine and you know what? One of my examiners commented that my writing was stylish and well suited for a variety of audiences! Your supervisor is meant to guide you, and don't worry about being the absolute best because you won't be. Be the best for yourself and don't hold yourself up to impossible standards that make you feel anxious and unsure.

Do take some counselling, it will really help you out (trust me, I went through a bit as well). It takes awhile to see the results, but in the end its worth it.