Hi guys

I'm a PhD student in my 30s who was working within the environment field. Due to my avid interest in this area, I successfully applied for a scholarship to study abroad. However, due to bad supervision, corrosive work environment and lack of support, I have been unable to complete my Phd on time within the financing period. My supervisor has allowed me to continue my research on a part time basis when I return to my home country but I don't know if I want to continue studying with the professor after my scholarship is over. I have problems communicating with him to be honest and I lose my nerve every time I talk with him. It's like whatever I do is never good enough. Furthermore, I don't know how to balance work and research correspondence with my supervisor once I am back home.

I am very humiliated because I don't know how to explain the loss of a Phd to a prospective employer and also ex colleagues. My confidence is at an all time zero. While the environment field is my first love, I don't know if I should continue to apply for work within this area. I have some questions for those who have had a similar experience on how to handle the situation with grace, humility and self preservation.

a) How does one continue with Phd research once returning home? I am specializing in modelling so I can install the software on my home pc. What steps should I take to initiate and maintain communications with the supervisor? Can any of the forum members share their experiences as how to sustain research momentum based on the effort that I've made so far?

b) If in case I do want to stop, how do I explain the gap in my work experience within my Cv? At the same time, how should I explain to sneering ex colleagues and family members about being unable to complete my studies on time?

c) Should I stop doing research completely? Maybe I'm just not cut out for it. I really don't know because I really wanted to be a lecturer and researcher because of my introverted personality. However, after working with the people who work and studied in this lab, I feel like that I do not have what it takes.

If any one of you has any experience, please let me know as to what I could do to preserve my sanity.

Hi Bboy,

I think the question is this - do you still want the PhD? Is it something that will help your future career, or have you realised over the past 3 years that it isn't what you want anymore? If you do want the PhD, then it seems a shame to not use the work you've spent the last 3 years on and if it's what you need for your career then it has to be the priority.

You mention that you don't want to work with this Professor past the funding point, but the unfortunate fact is that most PhDs that are funded for three years do end up taking 4 years to finish. I'm in the third year of a funded PhD, but after a candid talk with my supervisor recently, I've realised that realistically I'll need the whole of the fourth year to finish experiments and write up for submission. There's no extra funding for this so I just have to find other ways to eat and pay rent, but for me quitting is not an option. The fact that you can go part time will probably help because I assume this means you can work as well as finish the PhD.

You also mention that you find this guy hard to deal with. I'll be honest here - as a person, I dislike my supervisor, he has no people skills or tact whatsoever. However, as a researcher I respect him and I keep a working relationship because I need him on my side to finish. Is this something you could work towards? The way I cope is just by taking a step back emotionally - maybe just take his useful criticism and anything that isn't useful just discard, and try not to take it too personally (easier said than done, I know!).

Hopefully someone else can give advice about balancing work and a part time PhD. I hope you make a decision that makes you happy, and keep us posted with what you decide. Good luck!

Tulip

hi BBoy1975
a) You can definitely continue with your phd research when you return home. First, take a break to adjust, and then start making a plan of what hours you want to spend on your phd -- assuming you may have to find some work to support yourself. Another idea is to get in touch with people who are pretty much doing the same thing (modelling?) because this will provide you some support. To initiate and maintain communications with your supervisor-- before you leave, schedule a meeting with him and ask him to "agree" with you on how frequently you will keep in touch -- whether it's once a month, or once a fortnight, and even ask him if he will agree to meet on Skype or any other way online so that you can discuss your research more effectively. Put a reminder on your calendar as well so that you will remember to email/update your supervisor frequently.

I know sometimes it's hard to work with our supervisor--but if you are near to finish your PhD, surely you can endure another 12 months or so, think of it in the long term -- you will have your phd.


b) If you want to stop, the best way (in my humble opinion) is to say you were not able to complete the phd due to various reasons. Don't worry about people sneering, they don't know what's happening, so do not be affected. Wherever we go in life and no matter how good we do, there will still be people who are quick to judge and criticise. When you are looking for a job, concentrate on enhancing what you do BEST in your cv, not your "incomplete" phd. Present your CV in a way that the employer sees all the good things you can do and all the good things you bring with you to the company as an employee. If family members ask, just tell them the truth -- couldn't finish on time and funding ran out. And leave it there.

c) I just think that you are at a moment of low confidence. It will pass. Only you can answer this question.

hope this helps
love satchi

Dear Guys,

Thank you for helping me out. It's very kind of you to answer.