Thank you very much for your reply!

The end goal is to stay within academia after the PhD, hopefully crossing over into industry (I know, optimistic!). I'm just scared of being back to square one, jobless at nearly 30. I've already been turned down in the past for being over qualified with my ma.

Hello all :)

I've just had a sleepless night and really need some advice. As a quick fyi on my current situation, I was made redundant from a job in the game industry and took the chance to apply for my PhD. I had been working towards this application since my second year of undergraduate taking jobs and experiences that would help me form my thesis idea. So I had a few years out as I believe I couldn't study an industry without experiencing first. I had times of unemployment as well.

I have been very fortunate to gain a fully funded PhD from a redbrick university, starting in September with the management school. I thought that this was what I wanted, but as more job offers come up, I am starting to doubt myself. My main concern is that it's another 3 years with no guarantee at the end for a job. I'm 26/27 now and have spent my time since ma graduation struggling to get permanent and full time jobs, I thought I finally had something with my last role, but was made redundant. I am just tired of feeling stuck and want to move on with my life, and I'm scared if I choose the PhD over a job, I won't move anywhere in my career and be back at square one. Yet I know how lucky I am to get not only my own research idea accepted but also funded. I just don't know what to do and wondering if anyone else had a similar experience.