I have tried applying for research assistant postions as well but have never got an interview which is why I have gone to directly applying for PhD projects.

This does seem to be a lot harder to do the longer you are out of education. Also I now have a job and mortgage to manage whilst trying to even get an interview for a PhD nevermind actually get accepted on one!!!!!

:-)

Thanks for the great advice everyone!!!

I have a better idea of what I need to do now re contacting the supervisor beforehand to introduce myself.

Also becasue my industry experience is in a different field and I already have a masters I will have a think at how I can get some experience or a refresher course (or something) that will make my application more relevant.

Thanks for the replies. I feel a bit better now about my chances!!!

I am still a bit worried becasue my experience in industry is within IT and I am wanting to go back to Environmental Science which is what my undergraduate degree and masters are in.

Am hoping that experience with IT is a positive just becasue computers are used everywhere for everything now!!!! :-)

No I did not contact the supervisor before I submitted my application.

Is this something which is worth doing?

Hi,

I am applying for PhD's after a 9 year period of been away from education.

I accidentally got myself into a career that I hate and after giving it my best shot for 9 years am wanting to go back to uni to get a PhD in what I am really interested in and hopefully change my career direction so that I might be happier.

I have applied for 2 PhD's so far and haven't got an interview yet.

I am not sure if I even stand a chance because I have been away from education for so long working in a completely different field?!?

Has anyone done anything similar that may have some advice for me?