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Hi all, thanks for the replies.

Just to say, it went brilliantly and people commented to my supervisor about how well they thought I did.

I had no idea conferences were like that. I had visions of standing up in front of a room full of people, all sitting in rows like at school assembly. But instead, it was a group of no more than about 50, sitting round desks. It seemed really informal.

Of course, maybe it was just this particular conference that was like that!

I'm to be presenting a paper for the first time next week (2-hander with my supervisor) and I'm looking forward to it, but I also have a feeling of nervousness because there's a few things I'm uncertain about.

Firstly, I'm a PowerPoint minimalist -- whenever I've done presentations in the past, I've used slides that have only a picture or two on them (perhaps a small amount of text) and talk over them. Is this a suitable approach for conferences? Or do I need to change my style to suit?

Secondly, and I feel daft about this -- what's the normal procedure for a conference? Do you go into the building, confirm you're there, sit in the audience and wait until you're called up? How do you get your presentation up on the screen? Is there usually somewhere in front of you to hook up a laptop or plug in a memory stick?

I'm a right worrier me :$

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. I feel slightly embarrassed, because as you'll see from my post time, it was in the early hours of the morning (2am). Sometimes when I stay up late, I worry myself silly about things and this time it was the turn of my possibly having to fly out to conferences.

Don't get me wrong - I am quite uneasy about flying, but I did seem to magnify it quite a bit and posted this while in a bit of a panic :$

I am, nonetheless, grateful for the advice provided, because it gives me something to call upon if, as the time draws nearer, I have another "episode" like this.

Hi everyone, me again!

This is something I'd put to the back of my mind but now with the new year having started, it's been brought to the fore. And quite sharply at that.

By basic question is: do I absolutely need to attend conferences?

And the reason for asking is simple: I have a complete fear of flying. It's not just a simple dislike or anything like that: I can't stomach even the thought of being on a plane. And I can't stomach the thought of attending a course to overcome it either, because that could lead me to getting on a plane (that probably doesn't make much sense, but please trust me on this).

I know that networking is important, but we are hosting a workshop at our uni in the coming months where I'll meet quite a few people in the field. It's also likely there will be conferences in the UK (or possibly even somewhere reachable at a reasonable price without having to fly). But for this coming year, they're just too far away to not fly.

During my interview for the position, I did mention I'd never been on a plane in my life...but then rather stupidly, said "but it's not a fear or anything". But it is. And now I feel I can't say anything to my supervisor without coming across as having lied. And while it may come across as a lie, it was one of these things where at the time my fear had been buried but now that I'm having to think about actually flying, it's come back.

I just don't know what to do. It's actually getting to the point where I'm considering quitting and finding a job because it seems I'm going from one problem to another and I'm only 3 months in. :-(

I've only just recently started my PhD, and right now I'm working on a (relatively) small-scale experiment which should prove the problem I want to solve does exist.

While this is keeping me busy till Christmas, I'm getting worried about what next year will bring because when I read certain papers, I feel really daunted by the content and feel it would take a miracle to understand what's going on.

Also, whenever I hear my supervisor discuss something with one of the post-docs who's working on the same overarching project as myself, I always feel daunted by what they're talking about.

Basically, I'm wondering if this is normal for someone who has just started? And is my problem really just a case of being new? Will my supervisor etc. have been through the same as me?

Cheers.

3rd post in a row... :$

Seems I was fretting for nothing...I got the post :-) :-) :-)

Sorry to post twice in a row, but with a decision due tomorrow I'm understandably nervous!

Although it will be impossible for anyone here to know exactly who applied and how a decision will be made, I wonder someone could rate my chances:

> Having seen all the other CVs, and compiled the shortlist, he told still told me I had "the edge" over others
> I'm the only applicant who has exact experience, that is I know the project and have been working on the groundwork for it (i.e. I don't just have "abstract" experience "in the field" -- I have concrete experience in the actual project)
> As noted above, I'm currently working for the person whom would be my supervisor and he seems very impressed with my work
> Related to the above, he mentioned that he couldn't speak to referees for me because it's him and he knows how good I am
> When asked about what I'd potentially like to research (it's a very open topic), I happened to say something that he had written a "laying the foundations" paper on less than a year ago (without realising he'd done this)
> I was told who had been appointed to the two RA positions that will be part of the project
> When explaining the reason why I was presented with an award I mentioned on my CV, it turns out the same concept will also be explored in the project

However,

> He mentioned the length required from a thesis and compared it to the 12,000 words of my BSc dissertation; I answered with "so long as I'm enjoying a project, and I'm sure I will enjoy this one, I'll have no problems writing it up. And in any project, I also write as I go along"
> Reading papers - how would I cope? I said that when I put my mind to a task, I usually achieve the goals whether it be devising an algorithm, or reading a complex text. If there's something I don't understand, I'll keep at it.
> Presenting - if I needed to represent the research group at a conference, would I be capable? I said that although I hadn't had the opportunity to present to any more than about 70 people, I feel I'd be capable of doing it to a larger audience

I suppose this post is perhaps me just trying to convince myself that I did well at the interview. But I'm also worried that there's maybe someone out there who applied that has a First, a Masters, experience in the field and is highly charismatic so would be excellent at conferences!

So I suppose the question is: if you were a supervisor, would you take me on over the aforementioned "perfect" person?!

An update:

I had an interview today and I think it went really well. It lasted for almost an hour and we were discussing my various interest areas with respect to the overall project that the studentship will be a part of. I was also pointed in the direction of "How To Get a PhD", so I'm not sure if that's a positive sign or not.

I'll find out the outcome on Monday...nervous wait till then!

Hi, Sue.

Thanks for the reply.

My application for the current position is already in (it was just my CV I had to send) and I made sure there was plenty of emphasis on my experience in the field and my experience of research in general (I had to do paper searches and present a seminar on some topics as part of my undergrad degree). I'm still feeling quietly confident about the application, but hearing there's plenty of other people in for it is a bit unsettling. I have also been going over the sort of things I could be asked in the interview (which is due in the next fortnight) and I think the responses I've got for the "standard" questions are quite good...not least because they're completely honest (e.g. "why do you want this PhD position?" => "I think it would be exciting to work on a project that I believe has the potential to revolutionise the Internet and...").

As for other academics, I'm going to be having lunch with one on Monday (along with some friends for whom she's their supervisor), so if the conversation turns to work-related stuff, all I have to do is sound impressive and hope she decides I'd make a good student!

Hi,

Some of you may recall I started a thread on here a few months back about wanting to do a PhD. Well, in a nutshell, following completion of my degree, I've stayed on at the uni to work with the research group that my final year project was with.

This group is soon starting a new project and advertised for a PhD student. I asked about it and was told they'd be "delighted" if I applied, and that because of my knowledge of the project (part of my work now is actually laying the foundations), I'd probably be the front-runner.

However, I've now found out there were plenty of applications, so I'm a bit anxious as to my chances.

A PhD is something I really want to do, so I was thinking ahead, beyond potentially not being successful for this position.

I'm not really sure what I'm wanting to ask here (although I know in my head what I'd like to know!). Basically, how likely is it that I will end up doing a PhD? That is to say, if someone really wants to do one and is academically-capable, will they get a project eventually?

Also, how likely is it to get funding for a proposal made by a potential student themselves? Because I can sense they would like me to stay on at the uni, so I was wondering (again, based on me being unsuccessful for this position) if it would be a bit cheeky to ask if they have any other areas in which I could make a proposal?

Sorry if this is a bit vague!

Thanks for the replies :-)

I'll certainly see if I can get a copy of that book (in fact, there's a good chance it will be "in stock" at my uni's online library!).

I'll try and now respond to the other points in turn:

1) Moving to a different uni: I'd prefer to stay at my current one simply because they are at the top of the field. Well, them at the British University in Dubai...and going there really isn't an option for me!

2) When I said the area is quite interesting, what I meant was that I found there is the potential to apply something I've been interested in for a while to it. I have a real interest in Artificial Intelligence and the ability to process Natural Language, and I think there's the potential to apply that to this particular field.

3) I think I'm definitely going to take up the option of the placement, because if nothing else it will be fantastic for my CV, being able to show that my university supervisors were so pleased with my work they wanted me to continue with it. However, I would need to consider applying for a PhD before that starts (there's no date been set yet, but it would probably be soon after graduation in June).

4) I have also considered a Masters, and my university does offer an MSc in Computing Research, which is essentially a 1-year research project with a couple of taught modules in there as well. However, funding could be a problem there because there's very little money out there for Masters degrees. Depending on the amount I'll be paid for the placement, however, it could be that I can put together enough from that, savings and possibly a Career Development Loan. It's something to think about I guess!

I'll keep you updated on how I get on (up)

Hi,

I'm a final year computing student who with a bit of dedication will soon have a First, although the worst I can come away with (barring a major disaster) is a good 2:1.

As part of my final year, I'm doing a software project. Originally, I was looking at it purely from a software point of view, and not the subject area. However, as the project has progressed, I've realised it's a very interesting area and I would quite like to do research in it.

My project supervisors have already offered me a 2/3-month work placement after graduation to extend my project to a deployable application, but the subject of a PhD has never been broached. However, friends with other supervisors have been encouraged to submit proposals for their research areas, so it's certainly possible for (potential) BSc's to apply at my uni.

What I'd like to do is, at my next meeting, raise the issue of a PhD. So what I'd like is some advice as to how to bring the subject up without making it seem like I was waiting for them to do it (which, I've been honest and it doesn't sound too pretentious, I was!).

Also, if they are accepting new PhD students and they feel I have the ability to do it, does that indicate I'm pretty much accepted?

Thanks in advance. This whole world of post-graduation seems daunting...and still I feel far too young to even be thinking about it!!