hmmm- are you sure?

Thanks you all X I am so glad I have this forum. Especially Jojo and O'Stoll big KISSES X

I think I will attempt to get a university admin / teaching job where I can write papers, and then apply for consultancy positions...and then as Jojo says, in a few years once I have had the family and bought the house, can decide again.... X I am so excited I have a plan!

Hee hee- guys- I know who Otto is- I suspect seriously that it was someone I used to do a PhD with! You'll be happy to hear he has passed his viva and is applying for jobs...is that you Otto?
Otto? I went to Berlin with you- do you know who I am? Is it you?

Well- if Otto is who I think he is, then he is a veyr lovely honest guy. Emotional-yes, but not a bad man *at all* Otto- give me a sign if you think you know who I am?

Hi O'Stoll. Did Experimental Psychology. I am currently doing work experience with a small consultancy firm part-time for about 3 months. No experience with big companies though. Have applied to McKinsey- they are one of the only few who actually state that they welcome PhD's. Can't afford to do a MBA after having fnuded my own 3 year PhD!!!

Seabird- that's exactly right! Hard to get started, I also think you have unlocked something here. I subconsciously think I don't want to find a job in anything outside of academia at least until I have written up these papers.....!!!! WOW!!!
I think I had better apply for some teaching or admin jobs in academia- they are easier than doing research and spares up time during the day to write papers- infact they positively enfoce it. That should give me a good kick up the backside to get them done. I mean - like you say- I have FIFTEEN in the pipeline- !!!!Then why am I so scared? Maybe cause I think should I send them off and they are not accepted - Heah I think I may be running away....You know what- I have always thought I would make alot of money like my family...I think that knowing I won't in academia kind of scares me- like they will think I am a loser or something....Seabird- thought of being a therapist!!!

I'm new joined today- this is fun!
Crazy people? Yes, I had this one guy at my lab who decided he wanted to move into my spare room. Everything was fine until I discovered one night at 7pm he banged on my door creaming "Stop using your phone your talking too loud and I'm trying to sleep!" When I went to ask him what's up, he got me in a headlock and his face was bright red...! I am a girl and was terrified of him! He had to go....
He was a geneious but a crazy one- have you noticed that. The smarter they are-the more secluded they are- the crazier and autistic like they become.....

Hi, Yes the supervisor issue... I found when I was doing my PhD that the best thing to do was to have an honest relationship with your supervisor. I am not saying they are blameless, but if you need more support and one on one time to understand the project, then you MUST be actuve and arrange weekly meetings for up to an hour where you tell them what you don;t understand, what you are finding difficult and what you enjoy. Don't forget - supervisors are very stressed with writing grants etc he/she probably doesn't even realise that you feel neglected and this way...Honesty is the best policy- and you may find a couple of months down the line you actually enjoy your phD and if not, then at least you will know it is not the situation it is the fact you want to be in the real world! Hope that helps

Thanks Jayney and Jojo for all of yoru advice. I do love my specialist area. It is a bit of a problem though, I need time to write up all 15 papers but at the moment earning a living takes over that and applying for jobs! So catch 22 situation here and can't go into academia again if I wanted to without proving that I have some papers to show for it after my two years postdoc work.
Jojo- can I ask you a question? Do you know how viable it is to actually go back into academia once you have had another career? I mean I hear that it is more difficult later on as you haven't kept up with the publishing and reading the literature? Can you advise me on how you will be doing this? And what kind of jobs are you going for after your PhD? What else could I do with a Psychology PhD do you think? Thanks x

I have done a post-doc for 2 years and I haven't applied for post-doc positions as there are no grants on my specialist topic area. I have a PhD and am a receptionist in Mayfair! I feel so ashamed- I know I am not better than anyone else inthe office- but surely I can do better. I am earning not even enough to survive, lucky my partner and I both share the bills 50-50.
Is it time I was less picky or should I now think about permanently leaving? I have applied for jobs over 6 months, and no management consultancy firm is even offering me an interview!
I am 28 and thinking of settling down soon with my partner. Should I get a stable job where I might be able to afford a morgagae and kids etc or should I take the safer option and make some compromises within academia? If I were to eventually secure a lectureship position, I would need to maintain 3-4 publications a year and how is that possible with children? Any advice out there? Help!