Thanks for your replies everyone.

I had considered going for part-time, but then this project came up....it's such a good opportunity that I've kind of got it into my head that it's a "now or never" situation. I realise that might sound silly, but it's an area I'm interested in, great funding and the chance to work with some world-leading chemists. If I don't do this then surely it would have to be because a PhD just isn't right for me!

My current position involves a hell of a lot of hard work (16-hour days for a few months a year), so maybe my argument for taking it easy doesn't hold up.....if I'm going to work that hard anyway, it might as well be for something I'm more motivated for.

The more I think about it, the real issue is probably thinking I'm just not up to it. I imagine myself completing a literature review, then having no idea where to go next. My (potential) supervisor made it clear that this project cannot fall behind schedule because there are other projects depending on it. That's some pressure!

Anyway, I might call her tomorrow to talk some of this stuff through (I live in another city so visiting again isn't really an option). Or will that look bad - like I'm not really sure if I can/should do it?

How did you guys convince yourselves that you had what it takes?!

Hi, I've been reading these threads for a while, this is the first time I've posted!

My situation: I have an offer of a PhD place, which I need to reply to within the next week (i.e. by 23rd March).

I'm really in two minds about what to do, so I was hoping someone might share with me their thought process for accepting PhD places. What motivated you to do it? Did you do it for the wrong reasons and wish you hadn't? What does it take to get you through something as difficult as a PhD project?

I've been considering a PhD since I left uni (about 6 years ago). I didn't pursue it at the time since I wanted to experience working in industry. I'm now in a good, well-paid job that I can't complain about at all, other than by saying that it's really not for me and it's not where I want to be.

So, I applied for a PhD without really expecting anything to come of it. I had a few interviews and found out last week that they're offering me a place. So now the dilemma kicks in.

I've been thinking hard about my motivations and this is what I've come up with:

I love my broad subject area (Chemistry). It's all I want to do.
I think I would enjoy an academic career more than I enjoy my current career (in management). I can't think of another career I'd rather do, but that doesn't mean there isn't one out there.....
I love to teach
I really clicked with my supervisor, and have good feelings about working with her and the project in general.


But the things holding me back are:

I would be giving up an excellent job in a time where it's hard to find work. I am not at all blase about how hard it is to find opportunities like this.
I worry that i would find myself in three years' time with no job, in my 30s and worrying about my future. If I stayed where I am I could be in senior management by that time, with a very secure job.
I've spent the last 10 years of my life working hard day and night, passing exams etc. A big part of me wants to just enjoy life for a while!
Although I'm interested in the subject area, it's not quite what my background is in, so there would be a lot of catch-up work to be done before I could get stuck in. I'm concerned that my supervisor/department would get frustrated with this.
I might be blowing up what a PhD entails. To be perfectly honest, it's very daunting and I can't imagine that I'm up to it. I know I'm good at passing exams and learning stuff, but how on earth do you know if you're up to doing a PhD?



I realise that was a bit of a ramble, so if you took the time to read it then thank you. I'd really appreciate input from anyone who can relate to the dilemmas faced when deciding what to do with your life!