It might be worthwhile just checking that the places you are applying for are in an area you are particularly interested in. My area is education, and my qualifications are in science, but I had completed a cert ed to teach adults before I applied. as for leaving it too late. There are many more years between my courses, in fact I only got back into it because I was teaching adults, and you had to take a city and guilds course, then i thought I might as well do the cert. ed. ... and then I did the MA and now I'm researching into an area that includes both science and education. If you have a particular leaning towards a particular aspect of science - cos there is  a lot of it isn't there -, have a look at the info about the lecturers on the course and see if they are interested in the same area, then you could try sending them an e-mail and tell them you are interested and why, and what you want to do with your MSc even. The OU might be a good idea if you can find a suitable course to brush up your knowledge in your chosen field.  

My research is based in education, but has grown and developed and now contains bits from business and labour as well as other things. The only problem I have found is that it is sometimes more difficult to locate the very bit of info you need, because it isn't in the field in which your supervisor excels, so they may not know what you need - if you see what I mean. On the other hand, you can come on here, or pick the brains of fellow researchers and someone will know. when it comes to posts, if you have something different to offer, as you will do, it can make for a more rounded department, so it shouldn't really be any more difficult.

well done!!! many congratulations.

don't forget to give us mere mortals any tips on how you prepared for the viva, all help gratefully received.



:-)

you have a bit of the 'I've got to the end of that bit, and am now in a bit of a limbo' situation. not everybody calls it the 'i'll be happy when..' but I guess we all have the once this thing is done (page/chapter/ painting/gardening, whatever) I will be able to relax a bit, so its just life!

first, happy birthday for tomorrow - please accept this virtual cake (its in the shape of a stegosaurus, my youngest daughter's favourite birthday cake) and of course being virtual has no calories, so you can scoff the lot and not give any to anyone else if you don't want to. 

second, congrats about getting your thesis handed in.

third, the job thing is just one of those things, sometimes internal people are given the job and others are just there to make it look like they are considering others, so don't take it to heart.

As for all the other stuff, do some planning like you did with your thesis, get some big pieces of paper and write down everything you can think of and get it into order (if you are very lucky, you can then delegate all the tasks and just tell others what to do) :-)

Oh, and do have some fun for a couple of weeks, you deserve it!

best wishes

J

I think it must be quite a common thing really - perhaps its a girlie thing?:$  I can say that of course! I didn't do a degree at all - when I started in the medical sciences they had their own qualifications, associateship, and then if you wanted to go further there was the fellowship, but as people came in with degrees they had to do a year before they could become an associate, and then had to do their fellowship, which was really tough and had a viva and everything (I remember when doing one of my fellowship exams, a guy got his paper - he was doing the paper related to his specialist area as was I - he read it all through, then got up and walked out!!!). I've added lots of other things to these over the years though, including an MA. Anyway, despite having done all that I still feel, well maybe not inadequate, I'm not quite sure what it is, but when someone says 'that was really good' I get the 'do you really mean it' thing, and feel really pleased that they think it was good, whilst still having doubts about it and what wasn't quite right; and when my supervisor says he likes something its 'wow the boss man thinks its good' tempered by, what will he think of the next bit then. So, are we in fact just too critical of what we are doing? Course we should all be here - some of us have just taken a bit longer to get going (psst - are you sure they all have first class degrees? :$ :-) )

Thanks for that. I've had a look at the stock in my library, and they don't have those, so rather than brave the weather, I've ordered a couple online, the Deal and Kennedy one looks good-it was one of those look inside books which was useful - as it may fit quite nicely into my section on labour power as well. :-)

I'm still toiling through methodology, but have been reading a book (no, really :$0 and it has made me realise that I may well be able to make a stronger case by linking my research to organisation theory/social theory of groups and their interaction with other groups in the same place - I'm thinking of things like the relationship between groups of people working in the same organisation - secretaries, managers, office workers etc (does that exist I wonder in a book????). What I'm looking for is something that will give me a way of linking the whole range of school workers into a similar structure - I know I could go up to the library and look along the shelves, but I'm wondering if anyone knows where I should start looking, since I imagine there will be loads that will have nothing in them at all, and besides which its raining :$.

I agree, tell them like it is, you must have something to offer though, or you wouldn't have been asked. :-)

Just thought you might like to know I've just started rewriting my ascent of Everest - no sorry, my methodology chapter :$ and amongst the pile of books I got out of the library to help me with this task -( it just seems like Everest by the way, I'm not actually doing that - ever!!!) is a book by Clough and Nutbrown -what a lovely name - called 'A student's guide to methodology' I've found it really helpful in sorting out what should go in that chapter, so much so that I've ordered a copy so I can take it back to our library and tell others here how good it is so they can have a look too.

I expect most of them don't go to play tennis at all, but to show off!! you have probably intimidated them by not talking about the things they know about. you could try a running club, they tend to be nicer, or so my daughter says, and anyway you would be far too breathless to talk about anything. However do go back to the tennis club at least one more time, and deliberately corner at least one and talk to them about your research, make sure you use lots of words that only people in your field will understand, but act as though they are common palance and you would expect everyone to know what you are on about. Then leave saying how much you have enjoyed talking to her/them and how interested you would be in their opinions on X next time you have a space in your busy schedule and can return. That will give them something to think about. (Avoid giggling too much as you depart though. :$:-))

most people will not ask horrible questions unless they are trying to show off, at least that is my opinion. If they do something like that, just say something like 'that is a point I have yet to consider, but will do so in the future, thank you for your contribution'. (Then you can mentally add NOW GO AWAY- but of course don't ever put that bit into words!):$

Over the summer, try to get some of the basic terminology in your area sorted. I got myself an address book, and compiled my own dictionary of commonly used words. Its quite important to know you understand what is meant by some things, rather than think you know. I have a goldfish mind when it comes to some of them so still find myself looking up words just to confirm their meaning. It may also be worth having a look at some of the books in the library concerning your area, and general areas such as methodology in all the various permutations etc. As for 'clicking' that might come when I've finally managed to do without my 'dictionary' :$

It isn't really my field as I have no experiments in my research, but in my other work in the past this has often happened to me, and remember results are results, even if they don't give you what you expect - unfortunately there is never any guarantee things will work to order. However I don't think you should quit, I think you need to stand up to this other person, they might have no idea why things are not working as expected, but instead of admitting this, they are trying to bluff their way out by being overbearing and rude. (and so far it has worked !). Go to your advisor and tell them that you need some support and you are not getting it, ask them to go through the method you are using with you, so you know you are following it correctly, and assuming you are, ask their advice about the way forward. Never let bullies get the better of you.

it is probably not a good time to catch people at the moment. If it is anything like here they have all been busy making undergrad stuff and many have gone off for a break. you might be able to find out if he is still around by asking at reception, who probably know who is 'in' or your department, who probably have a list, or failing that, try personnel. If you really need to speak to someone go to your second supervisor and explain that you need some feedback before you leave and ask if they will have a look. They should do that for you at least.

it is a bit of a risk, and you should cetainly speak to your supervisor first, that is just being polite. I would think long and hard before I sent any draft work to anyone other than my supervisors.