======= Date Modified 09 Jul 2011 11:10:42 =======
HI There!!!!

Thank you really very much for reading this email, your advices will be very very precious to me!

The main question is: Does the academic career determined by the subject/field studied or by the department of the Ph. d programme ? I will better explain:

I have been offered a Ph. d place at the Brazilian Department of a great university in Uk, my background is in Fine Art (Ba and Ma) and my research proposal is focused on Brazilian contemporary music and art.
will I be a specialist in art or Brazilian studies?
The problem is that I do not want to work in Anthropology, sociology or specifically in Brazilian studies, I would keep on going with my artistic career and later work in a Creative/Artistic University.

Do you think that a Creative University will prefer colleagues who hold a PhD in music and art instead of whom hold a PhD in Brazilian studies even with a research in Art and Music?


The subject I am investigating is really specific and focused on Brazilian Art and  music that's why the Brazilian Department at that Uni accepted me immediately.

Even in terms of research, publications and academic credibility  may I hold a PhD in Brazilian studies and pursue a career as Art/music specialist not focused in South America studies?
I heard that in terms of reputation is better to pursue a linear academic career such as BA MA and PhD in the same field...  is it true?


Another university have been offered me a PhD in Music as well. Does it ensure the same quality of studying?
and the last question apart being a researcher or a lecturer which range of jobs may I do with a PhD in Brazilian studies?

I look forward to hearing from you soon,

Thank you so much for your advice!!!!!!!!!
:-):-)

======= Date Modified 09 Jul 2011 12:04:43 =======
Someone told me that a PhD is simply your driving licence to do research in the future, not sure if that helps? Do the thing that you can live with for 4 years, or like many folk who post on here you may end up hating it. I am planning to love my PhD and nurture it for 4 years, life is too short to hate any part if it. Good luck.

Hi! Nice to meet you here and thank you 4 your answer!

Yes! a PhD is simply a driving licence to do research in the future, but, in my case, this licence will be in Brazilian or in Art fields? my research topic is about art in Brazil at the Brazilian studies Department. How it works? thank you!!! :-)

It doesn't matter as long as you can make your research relevant to the job/research field you want to work on in the future and show you have the skills and knowledge to do so!  Research is a very funny thing as I thought the same as you before I had started and now I think it's more about the transferable skills you picked up and how to apply the stuff you've learnt. I know people who have switched fields for their postdoc but still use some of the methods from their PhD which they applied to their new field!  I also know of people who got hired for their overall knowledge of a topic and chosen over people who had specific knowledge of a certain method the project wanted to concentrate on! It just goes to show that it doesn't really matter and has taught me that even though we maybe specialists in our own small areas it's how you apply yourself and come across to potential employers that gets you the job unless your research it so specialised that not many people know it!

So it doesn't matter whether you are specialising in Brazilian studies or music and fine art.  You could be a specialist in both fields and link them together as something different about your PhD! I would go with project that you most like the look of and a supervisor that is helpful, reliable and that you get on with.  Good luck. (up)