Now, some users here think I got some personality problems or complex but this is not the case. I just think that you are totally wrong about the whole doctorate thing. You still don't understand that it shouldn't be the outside world exclusively which defines how much it is worth, it's also something you as a person should be proud of in terms of personal development and achievement.

I am so proud of my PhD I added it to my name in my (foreign) passport, I added it to my name at my doorbell in my homecountry and I added it on my business card. And I insist on people using my title everywhere, hotels, office life and so on (whilst simultaneously being fully aware that people in the UK think I'm weird for doing it). But I don't hide it. It's the biggest achievement in my life and I will be happy about achieving it for the rest of my life.

Dr O.Stoll

It doesn't make a difference if the PhD is about medieval farting. The process remains difficult, thus you shouldn't look down on people who did PhDs in less obviously relevant subject areas. it remains extremely difficult to do a PhD.

Plus, the title Dr actually DOES mean a lot and it's a fact that not everybody can get one.

"This is by far the weakest reason to do a PhD. You can buy the title of Dr from an online diploma mill. The title Dr doesnt actually mean anything, and if you do think makes you "better" than others, that just reflects an arrogant outlook and your own status craving issues."

Well, Badhaircut, your response above is by far the biggest rubbish I've ever heard about a PhD.

First, not everybody can get a PhD, otherwise everybody would have one. Second, diploma-mills PhDs are no PhDs, they are legally not acknowledged as doctorates and your generally not allowed to use the title, hence this is rubbish too.

A PhD is a bloody big achievement and I think that people like you discredit it due to low self confidence.

True words.

Which open up a completely new perspective on this entire (perhaps too lengthy) debate.

I agree with Jay2007

In my opinion, your supervisor is absolutely right. He/she has the experience and knows what would be "too complex". Because if it truly is too complex then this could result in big problems at a later stage of your research and perhaps even jeopardise you getting a PhD.

Concerning job prospects with a "mediocre" PhD project. How do you define "mediocre". If it gets you through a viva then it isn't mediocre. Apart from the fact that it is only important to have a PhD to be employable rather than having a groundbreaking PhD to be employable.

Finally, I think you should listen to your supervisor in order to get a PhD and also read up what a PhD exactly is. Which is not a Nobel Prize discovery.

I hate this dogma of: University studies, first job, "getting on the property ladder", engagement, marriage, children, bigger house and so on.

It's a free world and nobody should tell us when we have to do what in order to be in conformity with society. I do sympathise with women though, as there are biological factors. But it's still very restrictive, this whole society game.

Then you are a reader and are too old. Then a Professor. Then retired. Then your life is soon over and you ticked all the boxes on your career ladder but perhaps you haven't tried hard enough to realise your dreams. You don't have to become a PostDoc and you don't have to become children at one point in time. It's up to you. You have the full freedom, the only problem is the biological clock. Good luck

It's not that complicated. You can theoretically conceive children until your mid-thirties, although it is not a given. If you really want children, though, I would recommend trying when you are 32 by the latest as it could take a couple of years to work out. If you decide to embark on a career you could miss the point in time and end up being 40 and not getting any children. On the other hand, if you want to get a PostDoc post PhD completion and after six months you decide to become pregnant than this is your personal decision and completely acceptable. It doesn't matter if somebody else would have wanted that PostDoc, it's your life and you only got one shot at it and it shouldn't be structured around a step in your career. PhD so no children. PostDoc and no children. Then you are a lecturer and have not time for children.

But as said on another thread, a doctorate was not a criterion for employment.

My PhD was social science (organisational theory). I'm now working for management consultancy McKinsey & Company (if I manage to get through the probation period)

My PhD was social science (organisational theory). I'm now working for management consultancy McKinsey & Company (if I manage to get through the probation period)

I can confirm what Sylvester said.

It's really weird to cross a national border and to be faced with so many differences with regard to your doctorate. In one country they nearly bow down, give you better treatment at the airline queue and well-paid jobs, whilst in another country within Europe you are nearly forced to justify your decision to do a PhD.

I think it's ridiculous, regardless of positive or negative treatment, to be always labelled and pre-judged based on academic titles.

At the same time, I'm very proud of my PhD and I think it's all coming down to selling yourself well in a job interview. Not to feel ashamed of the PhD but to emphasise the extra skills and determination it took to get it awarded.

Sorry, I can't help here really.

What are "Women's Studies"? Studies for women only or about women.

It may sound daft, but if possible make sure that any personal statement, essay, etc. is written in an reserved,"British" way, rather than "over the top".

Also make sure you write organisation rather than organization and so on as some professors here really take the whole British English thing extremely personal.