I can get a job 'relatively easily' as I have relevant experience and qualifications for some roles. No problem - no telly/gf/family/friends hassling me to worry about. But, I have some cash issues right now, and in fact really want to get away from the PhD for a bit and get into a different environment. I probably don't need a PhD to work there but it looks like lots of people who do work there have PhDs so it wouldn't be a bad thing to finish. And also for personal reasons I'm sure most people here understand.

For the long-term career I think the work would be great experience.

I should explain that I can take 3 months leave from the PhD and then come back to it. So the concern is about forgetting the material, but I suppose I can always look at it at weekends as you say.

Nope.

I am due to finish in December, and possibly have an option of working full time for 3 months in a company which looks attractive. The flip side is I will undoubtedly forget a lot during the time away - and just before writing up. I do think I can finish the PhD, but it will be harder if I take time off. Any thoughts?

Many thanks,
Ingenieur.

I think the good does outbalance the bad :)

I don't want to put too many specifics here, but I had to change PhDs after 18 months and only got 12 months extra funding.

Thanks hazyjane. Yes I have been to counselling at my university, it's been very helpful.

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Yes I agree. It is a worse situation for me because one of the supervisors is an emotional retards who aim to project their problems onto students. Couple that with a PhD which was initially 10 years worth of work for a postdoc and you have an idea of what I am going through.

Hey Keenbean. Thanks. I also have personal life issues at the moment which have been hell too.

And to be honest comments like that only act as triggers. All I asked was whether there was life ahead.

It's just the way it is in our group...

Please I would really like to know there is hope after the PhD. It is all consuming and my group is the biggest snake pit ever thanks to one or two individuals ruining it. PLEASE!!

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I don't know the answer to the main post but I have come perilously close to complete mental and physical burnout probably by overdoing it since I've had to do the complete PhD including writing up in 2.5 years due to supervisor mismanagement.