oh dear, I haven't been on recently. I've had loads of non-PhD work to wade through and feel like finishing even one chapter is a distant dream :-(

I'm trying today to get back in the swing of things and write one section, but its proving very difficult :-(

I don't really know why I'm replying to this as I met my hubby at 18 and have never been on a real data :$

I would imagine that joining some clubs where you could find people you could socialise with afterwards would be a start - and you'd automatically have an interest in common.

I'm not particularly 'up on' the middle east - I see it on the news, but have no real idea what's what - in my mind its just a blank spot on the map where 'things go on'. I know I know, I am an idiot. But my brain is 90% PhD worry and 10% what shall I make for dinner worry most days and the middle east is too big to squeeze in.

I'm quite pale so would worry about sun burn lol :$

Maybe try Phinnished and see if anyone there is working there? or maybe someone on academia.edu and ask opinions?

aww crap situation to be in JC :-( I fear it will be the same in every department though, sooner or later. I was 99% sure I wanted to be an academic a year ago and I'm starting to think the security of a full time permanent post would be better - even if there are cuts in companies etc at least there is always another company to move on to (there are NO academic jobs in my field at the mo).

Have you thought about teaching jobs in private unis? My friend has just gone to one and at first we all scoffed - we hadn't heard of it and we thought that it was her academic career over with. But when you hear that they are cutting everything and the private unis are the ones who'll probably do well, then it isn't such a bad option.

no, because I'd be scared about my dog, either her being taken cos she's so lovely or eating a scorpion or something (do they have those???)

If I didn't have a dog, or a husband I'd consider it - I'm not the most adventurous type though. I'd probably go on FCO guidelines I suppose on what was safe and what wasn't.

yep, there's a 20 min break in between and we have to make it like 20 min lecture sections and the 20 min seminar sections if that makes sense, so its not me standing there (although the content is VERY theory based, so scared I'll get some negative marks for not enough fun stuff :-( )

Done goal 1. I'll be doing it at least twice more today to feel happier about it.

I'm scared. I have a 3 hour lecture to give tomorrow, I am being observed and now I've developed a 'throat tickle' - I've sniffed a load of 'vicks first defence' and am 'revising' the content like mad. eeeek

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have inspired me to dust off mine at the end of the week and get going with it.

I've just been demanded to pay £300 for my writing up year - or they'd chuck me off the course and send the bailiffs round. Really supportive uni I'm at :-(

good luck star-shaped. I'm SOOOOOO busy this week!

Goal 1: read through and practice giving lecture (albeit giving the lecture very quickly!)

Goal 2: Add coding to one document.

haha, I read 4matt's comments and immediately thought 'daily mail!' and then read Wal who has said everything I was thinking :-)

Sorry to divert the discussion Ev, hope things look up for you over the next few weeks.

You say she's not getting anything done? can she actually work at uni?

If I were doing these hours its because I'm rubbish at working at uni. I'd probably do 9-5 and not get ANYTHING done, and then have to stay until 10pm (when people have gone home and its quieter) to catch up on the work I pretended to do all day.

Is this the case? if so maybe she can ask to work at home a few days a week, or adjust her hours slightly?

It could well be that you're applying for positions that were filled by internal or 'known to the interviewer' candidates. In which case there is little you can do.

If you're regularly getting to interview, then the problem probably isn't to do with your application cv. (if you are not then do give them an overhaul and really sell yourself)

One thing I would suggest is don't just rely on a list of qualifications to sell yourself, but (and do this on application and in interviews) have a list of SKILLS you've gained from each of your experiences - many people (even professors) need to have these chucked in their face like a wet fish to actually understand how you may be valuable. E.g. from my PhD I have on my cv....

- project management skills (e.g. working to deadlines, organsiational skills)
- communication skills (with a wide variety of techniques to different audiences, conferences etc.)
- consultancy skills (e.g. meeting with different 'stakeholder' groups)
- technical skills (e.g. specific PhD skills such as certain types of analysis)
- statistical skills
- computing skills (e.g. Word, excel, SPSS etc.)

Most of that is common sense, but they need to be told!

I'm writing a very boring account of my PhD research for non-phd stuff today, I have to 'reflect' on what I've learnt, so I have to put on my 'writing BS' hat on and just go for it.

well done star shaped - sounds like you're going to make that deadline :-)