I really haven't used this forum in ages, though I've occasionally thought about it and, in the vast majority of cases, the lovely members. Shortly after getting my PhD, I began a job at a health consultancy. The people I work with are nice and the work quite varied. It's amazing how much you learn working in industry as opposed to in the academic side of things. I'm mostly learning by making (lots) mistakes - a case of trial and error. They do seem happy enough with me though.

Now for my experiences of what it's like post PhD...

Really bloody odd! For the past 5 months I've worked there, I've felt like there's a big part of me missing. All those hours I spent doing my PhD have been replaced by work and then leisurely pursuits, like the gym 4 times a week and actually reading fiction. You (well me anyway) don't really realise how much a PhD defines who you are until it's gone. All that stuff trapped inside your head can make for a difficult post-PhD transition. I really loved my research - I can confidently say that now. I'm definitely a researcher - through and through. Having sane gold standards to compare myself with at work, I can definitely day it sent me slightly mad. Driving 500 miles a week in a Fiat Seciento doesn't help. What a horrible, cramped revvy little car! It's already broken down on me two times and if it does it again, I'm going to go all Fawlty Towers on it!

So, as much as I don't mind where I'm working, I've made a big decision and am prepared to travel half way around the world for it. I've applied and been short listed for an academic post in a land far, far away and have an interview early next week for it. It's in my field so I stand as much of a chance as anyone else. I really don't want to leave academia (I think I'm built for it), so I'm going to get back into it. I've been working on getting publications out (soon to be 3, I hope) in an effort to improve my chances.

Anyway, enough about me! I'd just like to say to all the new starters and people working their way through:

There's a lot of ups and downs,
A lot of downs and ups,
You'll read a lot of books,
And shout a lot of 'fxxks'

But you'll find there's a lot you'll love,
And you'll come to this forum for shoves,
It's a most self-indulgent time,
And with hard work you'll do fine

It's natural to whine,
It's often curable with wine,
There's times things will drag,
Ex-smokers will want fags

But it's worth it in the end,
The problems you experience will mend,
The experiences you have will shape you,
The things you learn help make you.


:-)

Five months, has it been that long already? Glad you got a job, seem to like it but am glad you have the courage to follow your dreams...following ours dreams is easy as we all do it through our imagination but to do it in reality takes great courage...

All the very best and let us know how you get on.

Good to see you back!

Returning from the dark side after only 5 months?

I suspect i'd be quite similar if i'd taken an industry job. Trouble is the constant moving around may get the better of me in the long run, I still can't find anything else I would rather do than be a post-doc, so that's me for now.

SOunds like your fairly similar

Good luck with the interview, Wally! I'm not surprised the lure of academia is so strong - having worked in a lot of different jobs for fifteen years before starting my PhD, I can honestly say that academia is (currently) the most appealing of the lot!

Nice poem, too... :p

Hia Wally! Good to see you around here again, with a poem too, no less.

And thanks for reminding me how much I felt like a fish out of water away from academia, in my earlier jobs. If I had some money now I think my current life would be superb most of the time - apart from (rightfully) stroppy undergrads.

Is your job in Oz, I've heard it's great for academics over there? Good luck, I am sure you will do brilliantly - and have a nice trip over there too.

Missing academia as I got to play with kit I never dreamed of. This was me from bog standard comp playing with kit worth up to £100,000 a piece and and genrating technical data at nona-scale level.

The real world is not giving the same satisfaction. I have a functional job, I go to work, I go home, I feel as I have achieved nothing. However, one thing in favour of my current situation is I'm not having to worry about contract renewal every two to three years. Pensions and other finances can thus be planned long term.

I would love to do that stuff again, however, I'd want some sort of job and pensions security to go with it.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Hey Wal! Good to hear from you! Congrats on the interview- sounds like you're really passionate about your research and this potential new job! And you have a few publications under your belt too which I'm sure will stand you in good stead. I know what you mean about the strange feeling post-PhD...I only finished mine a month ago and it's a very odd feeling that I'm struggling with. I think you're totally right to follow your dreams as well. I'm leaving my current uni to take up a post-doc in a completely different subject that I have always hoped I would have a chance to get to be involved with. Even though it's only one year to start with I will be turning down a 5 year contract at my old uni to do it. But life is about making decisions and sometimes taking chances. Are you going over there for your interview or having it by video link? It all sounds very exciting, can't wait to hear how it goes :) Good luck! KB