Hi,

I am looking for some advice. I graduated in September with a BSc Econ. I have recently offered a ERSC1+3 scholarship within my university. I think this is worth about 15-6k. The Phd will fall within the subject area of HR. I have a great relationship with my proposed supervisor, and I know the support I am offered will be excellent.

I am unsure whether I should follow this course of action. Primarily, I am interested in either a lecturing position, failing that I can see my skill set being suitable to consultancy. The thing is I keep hearing so many horror stories about PhDds, I don't want to be 27/28, starting off in a graduate entry position with accenture or something!

Should I do the Phd? Or should I just turn it down, get on dr.job and apply to the consultancies with my BSc? I have all the typical insecurites of not being bright enough etc etc. The idea of having a PhD in HR, just seems a bit naff:) In reality, I just want to know what oppourtunites the PhD process with supply me with. Will I get a better job?

I am so confused!

It sounds like a real dilemma. First of all, congratulations for the offer. It sounds really good, and from the way you describe your future research environment I can imagine it would be a difficult decision.

I would say go for it. But it entirely depends on what you want to get out of this research experience. I am about to finish my PhD (well, at least the funding is about to end) and I feel very happy with my decision when I look back. Even though I realise how badly it effected my past career (i.e the potential of getting paid less than I used to, having to start from lower positions etc.)

Please don't let the horror stories you read on this site affect your decision. If you look at some of the replies on those "why nobody talks about their positive experiences" threads that we get so often on this forum, you would see that we all love our work and happy with the decision to do a PhD.