I am currently transcribing so I can sympathise! One thing I do strongly urge you NOT to do: don't fail to correctly label or mention on the recording the person's name, then leave the recording for a year while on maternity leave and come back to it and expect to remember anything about it at all! ;-) I think I am going to get a pedal too as I used to be an audio typist and I found this way easier even than using specialist software. I also would decide if you are going to transcribe everything. I decided quite early on that (in line with my research) some of the recordings would not need to be used and so it wouldn't be necessary to transcribe those bits.

You will still be dr whichever name you choose - you could even change your name by deed poll if you wanted to! I am married but still use my maiden name as I don't like the idea of changing. Also I live in Italy and nobody changes their name here - it isn't even possible so it would be seen as weird if I had the same name as my husband! People might think we were brother and sister! Also I am already a Dr here - everyone is when they have a degree so I have to use Dr at work anyway otherwise people would presume I didn't have a degree. Have to be careful not to use it in the UK though!

Fantastic news Dr Pineapple! :-)

Hi - like Dunni I have had twins since starting my Phd - fantastic but not really recommended! I also have a son at school. However, I have the HUGE advantage that I don't have to work at the moment - just as well as I could quite easily fill my days doing only family stuff - there is so much to do! I think you are being a bit hard on yourself. I have only been to one conference (and had to leave early there because other half couldn't cope with looking after all three....hmmm) and haven't really got involved with the department but tbh I can't really do anymore so I'm not beating myself up about it - my family have to come to first. I have a very modest goal for the next year - present at one conference and write one article. It might not seem like much but I think any other mums (and dads!) will understand. Good luck!

This might help:
http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/how-to-write-a-personal-statement-for-your-cv

Congratulations!

Thanks - got it.

If anyone has access to this article I would be very grateful for a copy - thanks!

http://qrj.sagepub.com/content/8/3/379.abstract

Sorry, can't get it either.

======= Date Modified 26 May 2011 14:19:12 =======
hi - I have had similar problems since I restarted a few months ago after more than a year's break. I am trying to set myself small goals (that I know I can keep) rather than thinking "I have to work all day today or I am a complete failure". Working from home is really hard I find as there are so many distractions. Can you go somewhere else to work? I work from home somedays and from the library other days - the library days (although I lose some time in travelling) are inevitable more productive! I also felt that my subject no longer interested me when I restarted but I think that is because I felt lost. As I have started rereading and thus understanding some of my key texts I am finding that slowly but surely, a glimmer of enthusiasm is coming back. Good luck!

You already have some great advice but I just want to add this. I really, really wanted to go to Cambridge as an undergraduate and didn't get in. I was so disappointed especially as I was up against people from private schools who had been coached for months - my comp had absolutely no idea! :-s So I applied again the next year - and still didn't get in! I think you should bear in mind that even if you apply next year, there are no guarantees. How would you feel in this case? If waiting another year doesn't matter to you than by all means, give it a go. Otherwise I would go for the offers you have.

Personally, yes. I was stuck in a rut at work and found out that my employers would pay for me to do a PhD so grabbed the chance. I now have the chance to study a subject I love and get paid for it! This was my primary motivation - I don't know if I will get a job in the future which uses my skills. Actually, given my family situation and limited ability to move for work, it is unlikely but I feel very lucky to be doing what I want to at the moment!

You have to stop thinking in terms of you being worthless because you can't get a job - that is the situation that many of us are in but it's just the way things are at the moment. I am lucky in that I have a job (not one I particularly like and not one that you need a PhD or even an MA for!) when I finish. I also don't think I will get a "PhD job" ever as there aren't any openings where I am and I can't move with out causing problems for husband and kids! Just remember that your daughter will be proud of you - you have tenacity, a PhD and now you just need a bit of luck!

Hi - I was just coming back to update my post. The citation problem was completely my fault. :$ Once I actually read the instructions and did what you are supposed to it worked perfectly fine! The crashing could be my temperamental laptop. I have now downloaded it onto a newer machine and it works (up). So far so good!

Hi - thanks. I had installed the tool but sometimes that button is there and sometimes it isn't! I am using Word 2003 - perhaps that's too old? ...and Vista.