CONTINUED

I personally didn't mind the labwork (Materials Science / Engineering) for me, however, I will comment that there are days of tedium where your experiments are just not producing data or it seems equipment won't co-operate (actually I didn't have very many of these). That is research for you and you have to do the graft to get the results. If I had similar now, I wouldn't mind as I like being hands on and my current office-based job is very hands off.

Industry is a lot more goal oriented and information is often needed quickly to maintain competitive advantage. If there is not a case for short-to-medium term financial viability, then often a project will be cut short or not proceeded with and you'll be reassigned. Another big difference is the need for a multidisciplinary approach and teamwork; you're not left to work alone for weeks and months on end with little interaction. You also find yourself working on different tasks with the priority depending on the greatest need or the shortest deadline (or often, which manager shouts loudest).

If you're short-term goal oriented and want results quickly, then industry may better suit you. If you like to concentrate on a small number of tasks and are prepared to stick at the same small number of tasks for longer periods (often someone's pet project) then an academic research backgroun may suit you more. However, in academia there is an expectation that you will eventually gravitate towards a lecturing position.

With your PhD coming to an end, I'd have a plan B just in case staying in academia isn't possible. There is a substantial oversupply of PhDs compared to post-doc and academic positions, thus there may be no choice but to follow an industrial / real world path. You then have to find a job (i.e. overqualified, off as soon as there's something better, etc.)


Hope that helps,

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

No. A semicolon in a sentence is used to differentiate a sub-clause forming a separate mini-statement directly related to the main sentence. A comma is more appropiate in the above example as it's not a sub-clause.

I would write the above sentence as:

"However, non-significant results for the four hypotheses may direct attention towards the competing biochemical account, specifically that the coal fusion chambers contribute to the production of high octane countach fuel."

You don't need a comma between "specifically" and "that" either.


Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Matt,

Whilst I've never had depression issues, I can relate to what you're saying. I came to the end of what was a thoroughly enjoyable but tough PhD (though with a very strange viva day that ended with minor corrections) and to cut a long story short, it hit me 10 days later it was all over - "so what next" I thought?

I would do at least one post-doc if on offer, showing you're considered good enough to keep on and to give yourself a less intensive couple of years to recover from the PhD. However, the short term nature of post-docs and the politics can be damaging. My first post-doc in my PhD Uni. was enjoyable, but the shadow of our group being closed down loomed larger and the latter period was all about finding something else.

My second post-doc was more damaging at a different Uni.; politics plus personality Professor made for a miserable year. They only took me on to relieve the workload of a longer term post-doc; I was a "second choice, a stop gap measure" and "they would just have to make do" with me. You have to be as careful with post-doc choices as with PhD choices. Although I saw out the contract, I left without a reference.

A year's dole was followed by my current real world job, which whilst not entertaining is at least not short term contract. I had to stack my CV with previous references in order to overcome the second post-doc damage.

Yes you need that run of luck with decent departments to progress in research and academia. Otherwise, sooner or later, you find yourself back in the real world wondering if the PhD was worth it careerwise. That said, I became more confident as a person and don't regret the PhD.

There will always be something to take from the experience, and you may find once finished the emotional lift you get may even reduce your depression.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Bump!!!

Anyone else? The more feedback, the better so the PhD experience can be made better and be more professional for those that follow.

Some posters here must know of people who gradutated during the 2003/2004 to 2005/2006 period?

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

I admire your determination to try again to do a PhD after what you have been through. However, make sure you are ready to face the challenge. As you will already know, doing a PhD will demand alot of you.

As regards the rape, there is someone out there who has got away with it and he may do this to another woman at some point in the future. I'm aware dealing with this will be difficult and we have our own ways of coping, however, for the sake of other women I would advise going to the police and reporting this so he does not do it again. If he is convicted, you can hopefully put this behind you and truely move on - you have evidence of the offence still?.

I would not let this lie and someone in your family needs to know so they can at least support you. Please get help for this at the very least for your own sake. He should be locked away.

My sympathies,

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

I've just seen this, so sorry for the late reply.

I got onto my chosen PhD via 2(ii) plus Masters (with a few years works experience thrown into the mix). 2(ii) plus Masters should be enough to entitle you to funding from the research councils (if relevant). I went on to gain my PhD despite being only a 2(ii).

You might still be at a disadvantage in interview compared to people who have got a 2(i) or a first, so ensure your interview technique, background reading and enthusiam for the chose subject shine through when you meet the interview panel or potential supervisors.

All the best,

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

I'll put up a link to the above on the Linkedin groups and that should attract a little more attention for you.

What I don't understand is why don't you post out letters to people who received funding for that period via the various Universities they attended. The alumni organisations will have up-to-date contact information for many previous doctoral candidates and could forward such letters on (thus not disclosing information an alumni doesn't want them to) with details on how to take the surveys, either via an enclosed form or the website address.

The one thing I would advise above all else is anyone wanting to take a doctorate, be advised to talk over with a careers advisor their options and the potential effect on their career aspirations once they complete a doctorate. Many employers have a negative perception of doctorate holders, which can make job hunting difficult and even bar doctorate holders from certain jobs (i.e. overqualified, will get bored, will move on quickly as soon as something better comes along, etc.).

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Done.

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is actually Dr. James Gordon Brown, with a PhD thesis entitled "The Labour Party and Political Change in Scotland 1918–29". He was awarded his PhD in 1982, ten years after starting!!!

If you've a known problem examiner, if you complain you will not be able to change the verdict directly. However, you might be able to be re-examined with two new examiners. The fact they consider this examiner a 'problem' character suggests you might be in with a chance.

As you describe it, I'd give it a go. The route is Uni. first (exhaust all options internally first) then ombudsman.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Budgie,

Sorry, given the widely differing verdicts of the examiners I'd have complained. Whilst you might not have been able to overturn the verdict, if the process was considered to be unfair then you could have been re-examined with two new examiners. First, you exhaust all avenues at your University then go to the Ombudsman. I do recognise, however, that you are working for the University concerned and you want to keep your job. But getting angry and not doing anything about it rather than bitch (via publishing your online account) is even more damaging that at least giving it a go. And yes, you are asking to be dismissed and sued if you do what you say you are going to do. Who's going to employ you after that?

You question the worth of the PhD process and whilst due to problems with a second post-doc I'm not where I wanted to be, I still feel if I had my time over again (despite a tough write up period - for the right reasons under a good supervisor - that thankfully ended in minor corrections for me) I would still go through the process. I needed that challenge, I wanted to give it my best shot and I'm glad I did.

For the record, you own copyright. But think twice about doing anything stupid, even if you're not apealling and have withdrawn.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

I am not sure what you are wnating to do or what country you are from, as this affects funding.

However, my blog may offer you some help.


Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

If he's bragging, that's pure arrogance.

However, if a researcher has been working on a given project for a long time with the same or similar methodologies then a researcher's later work will naturally cite earlier his work.

In searching for research validating their work, work of slightly differing methodology can be ignored or missed.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)