Hey,

A PhD can be a pretty gruelling process, more for some than for others. In either case, if you are feeling you need to heal, I strongly second the idea of some counselling. Going for therapy doesn't mean you are broken, it means you could do with some assistance.

How long it takes to heal - thats like asking how long is a piece of string! Its different for different people. While my PhD caused me almost no distress, other life events did, and some were a trip to hell. Sometimes, suddenly one day things are ok. But for that one day to come, you do need some assistance.

Regrettably, I once made a PPT presentation in front of a full audience with the 'L' missing from Public. So....:$ Public Communication became....

Just finished a PhD on social networks sites, and my first thought is you might need to be more particular about your sample and recruitment and methodology if it's going to be a masters dissertation. Usually asking people for general comments on an on or offline forum wont satisfy your departmental guidelines.

Thanks a lot guys!:-)

Just to say - I submitted my PhD thesis.

Thanks to all of you who have been of incredible support to me for nearly 3 years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Bug

Hi KB

I was in a similar situation (except that my sup absolutely encouraged me to go for all jobs) - i was called to an interview in another EU country (!) - I went for it - I got it - my first job app, first interview call and first offer - I took it, and I am off to leave the UK in 3 weeks time.

I so do not regret it! In these times, to have a job before submitting/defending your PhD is true luck, and we should feel very lucky that we got these calls!

Just take it if you want it and they want you!

not in the country thank heavens and kept my telly off!

Hi I am moving with a job to an EU country next month and went mad looking for a flat. I searchedon many websites which were in the local language and all asked for so much commission via agents etc. Then a friend's friend told me he is moving out of his apartment and I took it! My advice is spread the word that you are looking - via friends in your current city, friends in the country you are moving to, Facebook - someone will know someone who knows someone?

KB, I once again feel and say - she sounds unprofessional, unreasonable and frankly everyone knows that intellectual dialogue is just that - a 'dialogue' of contrasting opinions, divergent claims and inexplicable findings. To steamroller over that on the grounds that all people mentored by a particular intellectual must necessarily follow in the exact footsteps of that intellectual to the extent that they cannot even cite a theory that intellectual disagrees with, is unrealistic and undeisrable, dont you think?

I would stick to what I wish to do, but more importantly, I would seriously reconsider working further with her,beyond the PhD!

I'm sure you can work part time, one or two days a week to get in some money? It might be a good idea to inform your dept and supervisor to keep you in mind for opportunities as they come up. I did that myself to fund my living costs and half my international fees so it really is a solution to things.

KB I'm sure you'll balance the pros and cons well, but IMO, this really, truly cant be good for you in the short or long run. Her reputation etc fine - you've already got it under your belt and on your CV that you've worked with/for her and published together. Perhaps it's time to liaise with others and go elsewhere? Just my thought. and she has absolutely no right, even if she holds the world's most reputed academic title, to comment on your personal life beyond a congratulations, so really, I hope you make the best choice for yourself. Bug :)

KB , are you really sure you want to continue with this person? She sounds entirley unprofessional if she throws a fit over people seeking jobs! I do hope she is better than this!

Uhhm, but this is only normal! My sup wrote lengthy refs for me for jobs in many countries, and applied with me for stuff for a big grant with her too which was my first pref. As it happens the grant didnt work out but I got one of those other jobs in a European country and have taken it up. I asked her if she minded and she said absolutely not, you must keep applying for each and every thing and make a choice only when you have concrete offers!

So it seems natural that you should apply! I had 3 or 4 apps in the UK, and one each in 4 other EU countries.

:-)

Oh yes me too not personally - but people in my area reported 17 of them in the 2 yrs I was there!

All I'll say is - unless your wrk is in the centre and you simply haveto come in each day, do avoid living anywhere in the centre. For the same rent you'll get nicer places in Zones 2 and 3, and trust me - you dont want to be kept awake at night by the sound of police vehicles, sirens, drunken louts, tourists gone crazy... I've done this and will never do it again. Supermarket - yes yes and yes. There'llbe days when you'll feel too lazy to be bothered to go out proper and a quick trip to stock up is great. Some places in SE are best avoided for crime rates (have done that too and had 17 muggings in my area in 2 years and a stabbing) on the other hand - welcome to London, it's great fun and there's tons to do usually!!