Hi, I have decided to pursue the path of using LaTex (the document preparation system) instead of MS Word, hopefully the steep learning curve will pay off...

I use Refworks to create the bibliography which is then exported to bibtex:refworks ID. And this is where the problem lies...Refwork has a multitude of options depending on whether it is a web-page, journal or report. However, when this exports to bibtex, unless it is a Journal or report Latex does not recognise the other field and assigns them as misc. and thus does not include data such as URL, date accessed etc.

So, in summary, what do I do to ensure that Refworks exports all the data in the correct format OR how do I ensure that Latex includes all the correct information as entered into Refworks. And the resultant Bibliography is correctly populated.

Also, any thoughts on the use of Latex over MS Work are much appreciated-Is Latex really worth the frustration it sometimes creates?

Any help is much appreciated!

Milo

The middle of the road, balanced approach, is a good one for the CV.  However, I think it will be in the interview where you will need to ensure that you come across as academic and commercial. I would sway towards impressing the commercial company over the academic as ultimately your qualifications speak for themselves. A few years ago I got caught out in an interview when asked what I thought about a company annual report.  I had to admit that I had not read it...this was followed by a strong suggestion of doing proper pre-interview research!

You basically need to show that you can balance commercial projects with research (if you can do this, please let me know how!). It is probably worth asking the industrial Doctoral centre at the Uni for they type of CV they expect.  You could also contact existing RE's from the Uni and ask them to send you the CV they submitted. I feel sure most will say yes, and welcome the distraction.

Good luck!

Hi there, Probably the best starting point is to buy yourself a book on this issue. There are loads to choose from so best to wander into a book store and see which ones you find more appealing....then go to the library or Amazon to loan/buy. Good luck.

PS, As for how to get an 'A' , I have no idea. Never got one yet, I would suggest it just needs to be really good!

My Dear Doctorate,

I am sorry to have to write this, but I feel that we need some clarity in our relationship. 

You seem to think you own me, that you can continuously make me anxious, stressed, bored, frustrated (and happy)...but here's the thing. I own you!  I started you, and I can finish you (at what ever stage I choose).

You ARE part of my life, but please remember you have don't really have an equal share. My friends, family, relationship and interests all are much more important than you.  I won't put my life on hold for four years just for you. Your are most welcome to stay with me, but why bring along all this stress?...pull your Frick*n head in!

Essentially, you are just another qualification (although of a high calibre). I did not expect you to be an easy companion, that's why I asked you to come along, to keep me challenged and to enable me to try something new. I know I am not the best student, that there are brighter folk out there, but I am trying really hard!  And that is all I can do. It really is much easier if you accept this. I won't give in, so stop trying to break me!

Please remind yourself who is in control here, it is me-not you. Try to be productive my dear Doctorate. Drop all those negative feelings, they are not helpful and make you poor friend and colleague.  But above all, if I quit, the world keeps turning and the sun rises, and the sun sets. Please keep your perspective.

So finally, my dear Doctorate, pull your head our of your behind and be happy than you exist in my life and accept the share of my life that I allow you to exist in. We can be great, me and you, but do try to remember that we have a hierarchy in my world.

Yours Sincerely,

Your BOSS.
:-s

Thanks Dr Jeckyll and Trey61, your comments are well received. I do keep telling myself that this is a (long) journey and better settle down for the trudge, and hearing your comments helps strengthen this resolve.

It's nice to hear that others feel the whole project overwhelming, but more manageable in chunks. I will start to manage my time better with realistic goals and also to look into ways of stress management.

Thanks again for the help! any other thoughts etc are still very welcome as I am sure there are others that have/will benefit from this.

Hello all, 

I am at the end of year one and seriously considering whether or not to continue my EngD (industrial PhD). I feel like I have achieved very little in this first year, and am still working on the Literature review.  The project scope is still undefined and I have little idea of what the end-use of the project might be.

Time seems to be moving really fast, yet progress is not.

I am reluctant to give-up as this is a great opportunity, but equally it is making me feel unbelievably stressed-out due to the constant self-doubt!

I would really welcome any feedback as to whether this is a common end of first year situation or should the alarm bells be ringing loudly. 

Any thoughts will very gratefully received!

Regards,

My supervisor is expecting a 20-30K word Literature review! I am just at the end of year one and have probably got only about 5000 words towards the review. I am finding it so very difficult and it's stressing me out waaay to much.

Is the literature review meant to be quite this stressful? Its putting me off continuing with my EngD and making me doubt myself rather a lot.

Hi there, I keep a time sheet of my life. It is very broad and the range of activities are usually reading, writing, EngD admin. Then for leisure, exericise and sleep. I found that I was overworking without realising it and my life was getting a little unbalanced.

My 'new' approach is that study is for the long haul and burning out is a real concern. I also noticed that when I did stop studying the world seemed not to end!

Take it easy!

I think I am enjoying it, but I still find the process of having to take time to read and understand even before writing anything very slow. I also feel very pressured to finish my lit review ( I am in year 2 from October). I don't feel my subject is defined enough and I seem to deviate very easily. I have recently ended up in an area which is waaayyy beyond me and and now need to get the project towards something more manageable and actually comprehendable.

This forum (I am new to it) provides a little bit of comfort that I am not alone in this....but I still very anxious about the whole process.

In short yes, I am enjoying it but not sure I want to feel anxious for the 3 years. Is it possible to care to much and do I need to develop a more '£uc* it' approach it will all work out?