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Should I bother

13 replies

SquidgyTummy · 09/09/2017 19:12

Hi,

I'm just about to finish my masters in a social science. We are hoping to publish from it.

I'm spending a year as a voluntary researcher before starting a PhD in Oct 2018. I have two amazing supervisors who are being really supportive and are going to help with funding etc. This year they are helping me to do things that will strengthen my CV etc.

I'm 36 and have a 11, 9 and 7 year old. I always wanted a career in academia but went into teaching before giving up work when I had children.

The more time I spend in universities, the more I really, really want to be there but I can't help thinking that the job market is so tight and I'm relatively inflexible in terms of moving etc.

So, basically, should I bother with the PhD or complete this year and find something else to do?

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SquidgyTummy · 09/09/2017 19:13

Arggh, missing a question mark in my title. Need an edit button!!

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TonySoppyrano · 11/09/2017 10:44

I'm a social science academic, OP.

This is going to seem really negative but what makes you so absolutely sure you want to be in academia?

It can be a great place to work but it's incredibly high pressure and the conditions are deteriorating year-to-year. It's miles and miles better than most industries but there's a dark side. I'm not trying to put you off academia in any way but you need to make sure you're going in with your eyes wide open.

What are these things your supervisors are helping you to do that will enhance your CV?

I most definitely think it's worth doing your PhD, especially if you can get funding. There's no way you could get a job at a decent university without a PhD so it's the first wrung on the ladder of your dream career!

However, you also need to be strategic about it especially if you're not flexible to move much afterwards. This means, in conjunction with your PhD, focusing on what's valued in an academic career, doing these things and not doing things which aren't of value.

Publishing is top of the list and it's great that you're thinking of publishing for the MA. You've got a year, get a paper written and at least under review. You need to drive this as your supervisors might not have time or have other priorities. Can you get a full draft, written for a specific target journal, to your supervisors by the end of November?

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Yogafire · 11/09/2017 13:58

Tricky question. I think like lots of things academia is a dream that isn't so dreamy once you're in but I still value it and feel lucky compared to the inflexible non academic jobs many of my friends have. I like what I do and it works well with my family life. I feel that it is underpaid though and that you have to achieve really great things to progress and there is lots of competition even when the stakes are low. I'm not the main earner and would feel more pressured and stressed if I was.
So it depends what you want from it all. If it's to like what you do then it's great. If you have financial pressures then it isn't wise because you may have employment gaps or not start out with a full salary (I guess this can apply to anything though).
Is the PhD only with a view to an academic career? If it's funded then as PP said do that at least. It'll all be much clearer by the time you've finished it anyway

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TonySoppyrano · 11/09/2017 14:15

The funding issue is really tricky. It's almost impossible to predict but what do your supervisors think of your chances of securing funding?

I.e. Are you in a particularly sexy or priority area of the funding council's remit? Are you going to a council or another body? If through the funding body, how many studentships are available? How many applications did they receive last year? And how many of these were funded? Are your supervisors leaders in the field? Is your proposal well-written, realistic, engaged with impact?

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SquidgyTummy · 11/09/2017 18:42

Thanks for the advice. A lot of it echoes how I feel. Worried that it just wouldn't be practical in any way and is a ´dream'.

I'm lucky enough not to be the main earner in any way so I can afford to have earning gaps financially although if I'm going to pursue this as a career, I'd like to make a proper stab at it so I'd rather not have gaps.

Funding, I'm pretty sure would be outing if I went into details but it really shouldn't be a problem.

I think at this stage, the only point in doing a PhD would be to go into academia.

Other than publications, which I should have at least 3/4 at the end of my PhD period according to the project proposal, what else would you suggest is important to focus on?

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Yogafire · 11/09/2017 20:29

Focus on getting the papers you mention published in respected journals in your field.

Do some teaching but not so much that you slow down your PhD progress. Some experience lecturing and running seminars is important, and this means developing teaching materials and module plans then all the better.

Present at some conferences during your PhD (your supervisor can help advise on this)

And ideally get yourself involved in some grant applications. Ability to bring in money via grants and awards is a major plus

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Yogafire · 11/09/2017 20:32

What you say about finances and likely funding removes some of the negatives that might deter

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SquidgyTummy · 11/09/2017 20:35

Thank you.

I suppose I have nothing to lose but time by doing the PhD - oh and possibly sanity!

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SquidgyTummy · 11/09/2017 20:41

Yes

We are financially secure (luckily) and my children are (currently) healthy and relatively independent minded little souls.

The only reason I worry is that I've left it too late and I don't feel I have the luxury of making mistakes. I've decided if I'm going to go for this I want to do it well.

I'm not too fussed about academic prestige but I think my area of research is really important, plus I would like to be in a teaching environment.

I think I'm very hung up on having missed the boat but I need to try to keep it in perspective.

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TonySoppyrano · 12/09/2017 11:16

Squidgy I echo everything that Yoga says. The most important things to focus on during the PhD are papers and grants. It's great that you should have 3-4 by the end of the PhD.

In terms of grant applications, see if you can get yourself as Research Co-I or Co-I on big(ish) grants but I also think just bringing in bits and pieces of money (e.g. to run a conference, to do an overseas visit etc.) are all plus points and show you can bid for competitive funding.

I would advise you to start thinking about your next steps at the very start of the third year of the PhD and, in particular, to look at fellowship schemes. These are really prestigious, give you a chance to do your own research for another three years and look fantastic on a job application.

Otherwise, yep, teaching but not too much. Try to have variety in teaching (i.e. not just three years of first year seminars but some of that, a guest lecture for third years, workshops for MA students etc.). It shows you can teach/communicate/engage with a wide variety of audiences.

You haven't missed the boat. I supervise three PhD student ATM who are all "mature" (much older than you) and have come to it after other careers. IME "mature" students are often the hardest working as, like you, they have concerns and are motivated and focused.

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CommonFishDiseases · 12/09/2017 19:07

Squidgy you are reading my mind when you say you feel you don't have the luxury to be making career mistakes... I feel exactly the same, am in a similar situation to you and a similar age, except I've taken the plunge and begun my PhD this year. It feels like a massive leap of faith but at the same time I know I'm going to love it. Thank you for sharing and thanks to the PPs, this thread has been very helpful to me Flowers

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Booboostwo · 12/09/2017 19:58

In my discipline graduates are lucky to get successive nine month posts for a few years before they have a chance at a permanent lectureship...and these posts can be anywhere up and down the country. Do you think you'll be able to find an academic post within reasonable distance of your family home?

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SquidgyTummy · 13/09/2017 11:17

Thanks everyone and nice to know I'm not alone!

The specific advice is perfect and just what I was looking for.

I think the focus on grants is useful. In my current position I have applied for several grants outside of academia so should hopefully be able to transfer this.

Thank you. I was feeling a bit miserable about my choices but a clear plan of action is making things feel a lot clearer.

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