Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice.

I currently have a good banking job in one of the big banks. I joined a good Graduate Scheme after my MSc in Economics and have followed the traditional route into a corporate job.

I've been here two and a half years now and I've survived it at best and hated it at worst. I always wanted to do a Phd and become an academic, hence returning a year after graduating to do an MSc. I considered doing a Phd at the time but the lack of job security, coupled with the comfortable bonuses in the banking sector lead me onto the career I chose.

Part of me wonders if I should, or could take the leap back into study? I love the idea of spending my days reading and writing articles of interest, having the power to decide my own time and have a career which I actively enjoy- a vocation- not just riding out the typical corporate work week.

Would anyone have any advice on this? Has anyone returned to academia after a few years of work? Does anyone have any experience of an Economics Phd and the career prospects post completion? Is a career in academia as hard to achieve as I imagine? What can I add to support my application given I've had no research experience since my MSc?

Thanks in advance
Kind Regards
Beth