Surviving a PhD – Is a PhD for me?

The question, “is a PhD for me?”, is a good question to ask yourself as you either near the end of your degree, or consider taking a break from your career.  I asked the question of myself.  I thought about it, and eventually went for it.  But there still remains questions like, “why a PhD?”.

What is a PhD?

A PhD – or “the degree of Doctor of Philosophy”, is a qualification obtained through research of a niche in the field of knowledge.  The work must be novel, or use existing methods to enhance the knowledge already in the field.  Your work closes with a thesis which you defend in an interview called a viva.

Why a PhD?

A PhD is generally an essential requirement if you wish to work in academia.  At the end of the day, academics are experts in a particular field, and their core work (besides teaching and countless hours of administrative tasks) is research.  So a PhD will be of invaluable use should this be a career you want to follow.

As you do your PhD, you will learn many skills beyond the specialism in which you are researching.  It is important that you play off these transferable skills.  I learned a lot by attending training courses.  I got to employ skills in time management, project time management and many other skills using various IT software.

A PhD also changes you as a person.  It is very much a test of personal endurance.  You come out the other side knowing a lot more, but most importantly you get to understand yourself a lot more.  I also got to improve my inter-personal skills.  I participated in various events such as university open days, and public outreach events.  These help you to talk to people of different levels of knowledge.

It is these transferable skills and personal skills which are invaluable in any job.

I found throughout numerous job applications that a PhD in industry is useful for career progression.  It will not really boost your initial pay packet, but you will have more joy in progressing your career if you pitch your skills correctly.

The Application

Okay, so you have decided that you want to apply for a PhD position.  What next?  The best advice I can give is to look around.  There are a number of websites which advertise positions.  I regularly check out www.jobs.ac.uk.  This is a UK based site, but it does have adverts for international jobs too.

When you have found something you are interested in, read through the requirements and whether you are suitable.  Generally you will be asked for information on your qualifications and skill sets.  Play them up, but don’t go so far that you cannot defend your CV at an interview.

Unless you are self-funding, it is always worth ensuring that the position you apply for has funding for the three years.  Full-time research will not leave you with much time for a second job to pay for your day to day living.

If you’ve got this far, apply for lots of posts.  At the end of the day, there are going to be plenty of people out there competing against you – particularly for posts at prestigious research universities.

So you have posted your applications – unfortunately all you can do is wait.  Keep enhancing your skills however.  As a researcher, you will have an almost obsessive desire to learn or figure things out.

You get the letter in the post

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, you have received your latest post and its marked with a university crest.  Panic sets in – did I get the post?  Did I not?  So you’ve plucked up the courage to open the letter.

If you find that you have been rejected for the role it is important to not be disheartened!  Remember you have applied for a number of other posts.  There is also the chance that whoever was offered the position may decline it, and you are next in line.  Either way, for me, when I got over the initial rejection, I became more determined.

The flip side of the coin – you get the post!  Congratulate yourself!  It is important from this early stage to reward yourself often.  The PhD is going to be a challenge, so why not set yourself up the way you mean to go on.  Being offered the post is great.  Fill in the necessary paper work and look forward to starting.

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