Thanks jouri, by the way

Smilodon -

How is it less clear?

Basically - Once I have (finger crossed) a Phd, just how much/many opportunities are open to me in academia in the way or research and/or lecturing so that I can actually put food on the table?

Oh absolutely, but I think it would be fair to say that you get out what you put in, would it not?

I was always very dedicated with my coursework in my BA - done it way before deadline so I could go back to touch it up before handing in, talked with tutors about it, lots of reading before I started, during, and even after. 3 80 mark essays, only only 1 2.2 level essay in my whole 3 year BA.

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With regard to the teacher training apps (which was for primary teaching), it's a difficult situation, but basically I got the distinct impression that they didn't think I had the right personality or age to do it, and that has left me wondering if and why I should bother to 'chase the dream' by doing teaching assistant jobs etc, when I could easily fail to get a place next year or even longer, and lose more and more of my life to something in the process, and possibly run myself into a nervous breakdown (family history).

I'd rather do something with a guaranteed end point - a PhD certificate.

I'm gobsmacked how misconstrued my original post has become!!!

What I mean is employment opportunities WITHIN academia, research etc, I really have little to no interest in working in business - why would you want to waste a PhD trying to make other people money???

As for earning potential with a PhD - coming from a poor background, I really have no need or desire to earn 'big money', never have. If you're doing it for money, you're very much in the wrong arena.

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...(CONTINUED) Well, now I'm researching for starting an MA in October 2009, followed by a PhD, at my old uni (which was an amazing uni for linguistics), and apart from my concerns over funding (I have absolutely no form of parental help to depend on), I am even more concerned about the employment opportunites open to PhD graduates.

I think research would suit me best, but what is out there??? I hate my present job, and don't want to even contemplate doing a MA and PhD to only find myself back in another rubbish job!

Hi, great site by the way, good to know such a place exists.

Anyway, basically I have a 2.1 in English Language, graduating in July 2007. I thought I'd try my luck out in the big world of work.

Unfortunately, it really isn't going as planned. Hated all the business interviews and such, so decised to get a full time job in a factory and help at a local primary school and apply for PGCEs and SCITTs.

The time at the school as been amazing, but I was rejected by all my applications (4, 2 of which I got interview stage). This has left me feeling very down and re-evaluting what to do next.

More and more, I feel that I made a mistake in not doing PG study, which I got the impression from one of my tutors at uni that she thought I really was good enough to do (particularly in the field of phonology, which I greatly enjoyed). CONTINUED IN OPENING REPLY…