An update to those of you who might be interested.

Yesterday I spoke with my supervisor personally and he seemed okay with it. He said that he understand my decision because honestly academia is not suited for everyone. He told me to keep my studentship and treat it as a farewell gift. We shook hands and parted on good terms.

Now it's time for some job hunting...

======= Date Modified 19 Aug 2009 06:23:10 =======
First of all, thanks for the replies. Whether they be understanding or a little on the criticizing side. I'm glad that some of you give me support while some condemn me of my attitude in all this, and it's understandable that you're all a bit angry.

I've had a longer talk with my family, and they said it's understandable that I don't want to do a PhD...after all, not everybody is PhD material. The long hours and effort spent on research is really not for everyone.

I've begun to sent some CVs and hopefully will get 1 or 2 interviews soon. I need to get a job preferably before October, that's when things really heat up and the work start to pile; it is then that would be hard for me to quit.

I know I might sound like a jerk, but I think it's best for now to not talk/notify my supervisor until I actually got a job offer. I need the money. The rent and the bills are something that's just too pressing and need to be taken care of. I decided that once I did get a job, I would have a long talk with my supervisor and give him a 1 or 2 weeks notice.

Joyce and Phdbug, you're both right. I'm just really selfish consuming the funds by myself when I really don't have the heart to continue on. So I decided once I've got a job and had the talk to my supervisor, I'm going to return the received studentships (albeit in small monthly payments) until it's all been cleared. This money should go to someone who's passionate and actually cares. I know the damage is probably done to my supervisor by then, but it's probably the only thing I can do.

Part 2 - Continued
I'm starting to reconsider this entire PhD affair. On one hand I could just endure for four years (since I have no interest at all for research work) and hopefully get a PhD, but would be prone to be stuck in the university (and thus more research). On the other, I could drop out for a job, forfeiting the postgrad degree. My family suggested that I continue to go both ways, that is, to continue my PhD until I get a job for the studenship; of course, I should find a job and quit ASAP if I don't want to waste anymore of my supervisor's money. Also, I would enrage faculty members by suddenly pulling myself out from collaborative projects.

If I continue PhD, I know I wouldn’t be very happy in the situation but get the postgrad degree. If I drop immediately, I would risk being unemployed for months to come and it would really put pressure on my family and myself financially. If I go “double-agent”, I would look like a no-good jerk that basically betrayed my supervisor’s trust.

What should I do?

======= Date Modified 18 21 2009 07:21:52 =======
======= Date Modified 18 28 2009 04:28:48 =======
Part 1 - Sorry for writing too much, but honestly even these words are not enough to describe my situation right now.

I've just got into a PhD program at the local university, and boy, the process of getting into the program alone is a story on its own.

So, our President decided to stop all MPhil applications for this year(and the years to come, I fear) to force all applicants to enroll PhD to boost PhD student numbers in hopes of getting better world rankings among other universities (Times Higher Education Rankings anyone?). So when graduate school called me, I had pretty much no choice but to surrender and changed my application to a PhD.

Initially, my goal for applying an MPhil was to basically lay low for awhile until the effects of the economic crisis took a better turn. Of course, and the addition of getting a research postgraduate degree within two years wouldn't hurt my CV either. But to be honest, I'm not too passionate about research work or my field.

Pre-crisis the employment rate for graduates from my program was acceptable, which is surprising since the industry/field is not reallythat popular here. Now pro-crisis, however, the prospects look grim and a lot of us still struggle to find a job.

I, in particular, am anxious to get a job to pay the bills and to respond to my family's cries to soothe their economic burden. After a couple of job interviews (and the “thanks, but no thanks” replies), I decided then to accept the PhD offer because of the offered studentship. My first year studentship is paid out of my supervisor's pockets (from his research funds), while the later years by fundingsfrom other parties.

Now it's been some time after the registration, and I'm beginning to see the problems with the PhD program as I start my work. The endless research paper reading (pretty much standard to all postgrads I guess),the constant dread of finding a good thesis topic and the endless meetings is really starting to get to me. My supervisor is already introducing (or should I say pushing) me to other faculty members to do future collaborative works. In addition to all this, I've got courses to attend and undergrads to supervise. I see why people say that PhDs are only for those that are serious about research.

I think I could force myself and grind through all of this to get the degree, but then I fear I would be overqualified for most jobs out there and be stuck with doing postdoc and other research work at the university.