I know there are a mix of current and former PhDs on here. Does anyone have any tales to tell or advice on having a job while writing up? I'm having to apply for stuff now as I'm still writing up and no longer receiving funding. Part-time or a couple of days a week would probably be ideal. Any recommendations on the types of work I should be keeping my eyes open for? I've not done bar work before but there are a lot in the city I live in so I could probably do that if I get desperate.

I was working while studying for my phd. I had further difficulties, as I was working at a different country than where I studied, my native language is not English and my phd was in a UK university and my job had nothing to do eith my research .

I am not gojng to say that it is easy, but it is doable. It needs lots of organising and good time management.
I was working from 8 till 2, then I went to the gym for an hour, had lunch till 3:30 and started phd work at 4 till 8 or more if I still had stamina.....

I did it.

Wow, sounds like a heavy schedule. Well done.


Unfortunately I'm probably going to have to be forced to choose employment or PhD in the near future and with my PhD is so behind and makes me so unhappy that it will almost certainly be employment that wins that dispute.

I'm doing the same thing atm - working 2.5 days a week, the rest for writing up the PhD (and that includes evenings and weekends). It's hardcore, but doable - hang in there, you've come so far!

Hello,

I worked part time for the first 3 years of my PhD and I managed it fine with detailed planning. I'm writing up now and have been applying for jobs. I've just secured a fixed term full-time post. I was on schedule to finish in 6 months but have taken the decision to take a suspension to focus on the post (I aim to still work on the thesis when I can). This is part of my career development but to do it all at once would be too much.

Good luck!

I have been working 2 days a week while doing my PhD, and I really enjoyed it ( though the jobs are not really about my research). Then after submitting my thesis and while waiting for my viva, I found my recent job as a visiting lecturer in another university. I have shared my PhD experience in the previous posts, and my university where I did the Phd has been treating me terribly after I passed my viva, by asking my to pay about 1400 pounds/month to do my amendments. It was almost big 'force', if I do not pay, they said they will not submit my thesis to the examiner and award my PhD.

I submitted my amendments in the end of January, 2016. until now, my university did not give me any result about my PhD, and has been given me promising date- then denied three times. it is all ridiculous, Really, it makes me feel that is not a university, but a hell indeed.

But, thanks god, I have had my job to do in another university, lovely students, lovely colleagues where I really feel respected and encouraged. So my lecture job becomes my biggest joy. Big hug and kiss to my job!

Depends what you can handle. At one point I was doing a PhD and two jobs (demonstrating at uni and waitering). I dropped the waitering about a year and a half ago to focus on my work. I can't financially maintain myself this way (I get some help from my parents) but I had to prioritise my PhD over work or it'd never get done. Have a think and see what works for you, if you can handle it then good. If not, perhaps having family to help might prove to be a lifesaver!