Oh, yes (as Churchill says). I know exactly what you mean. I feel like I don't do my best because I know the industrial partners need my results quickly. I envy those postgrads who have 3 years to develop methods. I really worry about sending out incorrect data, because of my inexperience and the speed at which I have to work.

I've learned that honesty is by far the best policy. Generally people don't mind if you make a mistake or take longer than expected, as long as you keep everyone informed. Sometimes you get good advice too, so it works both ways.

Well, you've got the most important bit sorted out . May I sugggest a packet of chocolate Hob Nobs: I have yet to meet a supervisor who doesn't like these with his/her morning coffee.

Do you (anyone) think that a PhD changes your approach to work? I have never had so many deadlines, so many people demanding (however nicely) results from me, never had to deal with so many instruemntal and contractual issues, and so much to write. That sounds bad, but I think it could be the making of you. You really have to learn to be tough, and you take ownership of your project. In industry, without a PhD, I didn't experience any of this - you were a cog in a machine, to use a cliche, and not encouraged to get personal with your work - it was just "work", not a vocation.

Generally I'd agree, Cryogenics, but I have met the odd bad egg.
Example: I was interviewed for a job (which led to my PhD, in the end). A "friend" insisted, despite my protests, on going to see the interviewer to tell them how great I was and how I must be given the job over the other candidates. Not only was this embarrassing (and morally dubious), this friend is now convinced that I only got the job because of her input, and tells me this constantly (particularly when she wants a favour).

I like to think that I would have got the job either way...but I think this is a good example of intrusive and unwanted "help". I just wanted to make a point that sometimes all is not what it seems.

I think Jojo has the advantage over us because she knows the guy: i.e. she is in a better position than us to identify his motives. She has doubts about him, and I dare say she's smart enough to decide for herself whether those doubts are justified.

He may just be trying to be nice, but unfortunately (and I have personal experience of this) sometimes people who push their help onto you are trying to control you.

I just signed up, Annie - thanks for putting that on!

I think it was more that this guy did not ask Jojo whether she wanted the help: he took it upon himself to act for her. This would have annoyed me a bit: he is assuming that she cannot help herself, and also (perhaps unwittingly) gives this impression to the people he is talking to.

Wow Shani, that's tough. Is that typical in Switzerland?

Well done on getting the best grade though

Could be...the problem is that my work is not yet published; the proof that I sent in this email was a copy of my lab book, showing my reasoning and why I thought this theory may work, and my original data which was collected with a student. It gave ambiguous results on my compounds, but this person tried it on their stuff and it seemed to work. I don't have a problem with them publishing it - after all they got the results - I would just be miffed if it was forever known as "So and so's method", when in fact they got the idea from me.

Of course you're a bit nervous about sending your work out into the big wide world, who wouldn't be? The only way to get past the fear is to do it, and keep doing it, and don't worry about pleasing all of the people all of the time. It's all part of the game.

Last thing I published (in a magazine) resulted in a angry letter from someone calling me a "typical scientist" - not sure what to make of that, but at least it got a reaction

Hehe! Thanks Insomniac

Apologies for the lousy spelling...it's hot and stuffy in my office today and I can't concentrate either

I was like you just after finishing mu undergrad degree (although I was working). I think the tiredness can be put down to nerves (nerves also causes an inability to concentrate and make decisions). I don't mean that you're actually on edge, but on some level you're bound to be a bit anxious.

You're not alone in feeling like a fraud, either: keep reading this forums and you'll soon relaise everyone else thinks they are a fraud, too.

Thanks Shani; I was worried I'd been a bit sneaky, but I feel OK now

YouTube is crawling with videos of this year's crop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw03_I-TGtc

Best title is "A Bloody Massive Spider in my Bloody House", but sadly the video doesn't live up to its promise.