PhD or job?

N

Just that really, am going into second year but have been offered permanent NHS job with chance of further training. What would you do?

E

Hi. Difficult to say without enough information. Why did you apply for a job in the first place while you still in PhD? do you have troubles with your supervisor?
What was your original plan before starting your PhD?

Avatar for rewt

Do you enjoy your PhD? Do you think you will enjoy the job more? Or are you just fed up with student life?

These are just some of the questions you should be asking yourself. Quitting a PhD is a big decision and I wouldn't do it lightly. Though if I wanted advice I would give a bit more context, so that people can actually help with the decision.

N

Hi cannot post more than a sentence or it freezes so will reply in bits. Trained as a clinician, masters related to that. PhD is not related, but was a 'good opportunity'. I do not fit, and it takes me away from my interests,

N

and ultimately will result in me being deregistered and having a PhD but no profession. The only reason I am doing it is to 'do a PhD', which isn't good enough.

N

So I've been looking at NHS jobs and found something identical to my MA research, and which I felt excited at applying for. I have been offered that job but am scared quitting PhD will be a huge mistake.

N

After all, studentships are like hen's teeth and I'm lucky. They've also offered for me to do it part time, at home. And I have kids so it works practically, whereas the job will be hard. But the job has training etc

E

Hi. I am in favour of you taking the job. Looking for jobs during your PhD means that you do not really enjoy it. Quitting now is better than spending two more years depressed and maybe the end is not great.

B

Quote From eng77:
Hi. I am in favour of you taking the job. Looking for jobs during your PhD means that you do not really enjoy it. Quitting now is better than spending two more years depressed and maybe the end is not great.


I disagree that looking for job is an indication of not enjoying your studies. In fact, people should look more into the market to have a realistic view of where their career heading and keeps an open-minded about it. If I am doing PhD again I will definitely do the same.

Will a PhD open more other opportunities like if you are fired or resigned? If money is not immediate needed and you are genuinely enjoying PhD, then don't take it.

Avatar for rewt

It sounds like you did a PhD as you had nothing else to do and now that you have a job you are reassessing things. A PhD doeskin sound like it will get you a better, job you dont have a passion and your dream job turned up. But you don't want to give up on that years worth of PhD work.

I would say take the job BUT talk with as many people in real life as they know the situation better than us.

N

Hi. I have schizophrenia so the isolation makes me very paranoid and the medication means I cannot sit up all night studying, which is how I always did brilliant work prior. The topic is very interesting but means lots

N

of late nights for data collection etc. I'm not sure I can do it, plus it is humanities and may not lead anywhere-I cannot maintain professional skills and do the PhD.. The job is what I'm trained for.

N

Albeit only entry level, but with pay scale pension etc. I like the ability to work from home for PhD and a job will be more tiring but will make me get up, dressed, be with people etc.

N

I just think a PhD is supposed to make you an expert in something, for me I want that to be linked to my job. This job gives me a specialism, then hopefully a PhD later where I am researching through the role?

N

Does that make sense? So it's a not now, but in the future do one on something else. I just feel guilty for wasting my supervisor's time. I've been very ill but even so, they have been good with me.

54720