Career help please

[AckWhatToDo]

Can anyone give me some careers advice? I’m in a mess.

Before kids, I worked in communications and was ambitious and successful. After my kids were born, I felt that I had to scale things back a bit and switched to part time. I did that for some years then decided that it wasn’t fulfilling- I wasn’t getting the buzz that I had had working full time and felt a bit as if I was juggling too many things. So I decided to make a clean break and go back to uni to pursue some interests at post-grad level (this was much easier to fit in with childcare and as a family we were able to manage without my income).

I’ve started a PhD which began in October. However, just before that I saw my dream job advertised. I applied and was interviewed but then, after some faff, was told that the funding for the role had been cut so there was no longer a job to offer. No problem- I forgot about it and started the PhD. My research is going well, although obviously it’s only been a few months.

I’ve just had an email from the dream job employer saying that they can now offer me the job- aargh!

I really don’t know what to do. I’ve actually started the PhD and loathe the idea of dropping out. I am enjoying it, although have a background discomfort with the fact that I’m switching careers aged 35- seems awfully risky. What if I do the PhD then don’t find an academic job at the end of it?

Pros of PhD:

• I do enjoy it and find my subject fascinating
  
• working in that area would be great if I could get a job at the end of it
  

Cons of PhD:

• Feel I am starting again at the bottom
  
• Risk and uncertainty
  
• Money is not good
  

Pros of taking the job

• More money and an excellent pension
  
• I really want to do it
  

Cons of taking the job

• Less flexibility with children- would mean I see less of them.
  
• Massive embarrassment about dropping out
  
• My OH would REALLY disapprove- he is very keen for me to do the PhD.
  

Aargh, this email has really thrown me. Any advice?

[RemainOptimistic]

Take the job. Sadly PhD is pointless unless you're one of the vanishingly small number who can and will get a job in academia.

[Boynamedsue]

Can you not do both? I admit I don't know much about PhDs but I have a friend who has just finished hers whilst working full time. Is it possible to switch your PhD to part time once you've already started (sorry if this suggestion is really stupid!)

[Shoxfordian]

Take the job, and look into a part time PhD

[pinkdelight]

Take the job. It's your dream job. You really want it. PhDs, unless it's a proper hardcore industry funded science doctorate, are really for your own edification and status. Nice to have but sadly not comparable to a job and rarely lead to a career these days.

[iamyourequal]

What subject is the PhD in?

[BunsOfAnarchy]

Is it not possible to do the PhD part time? I'd give the job a go, otherwise I'd always be forever lamenting on 'what if'.

Plus you could start the job and not like it after a couple months anyway. Best thing to do is give it a try. Sometimes it seems like you can't work around the hours but you'll find a way, and even if it's less time with the kids, just make sure it's quality time with them as much as you can.

Yes to the job and look into part timing the PhD if poss.

[CandleLit]

I'm out of sync with others it seems because I think you should do your PhD. You don't know for definite that this is you dream job, it just appears that way right now.

[WhatHappenedToSunday]

If the purpose of the phd is to land a job, would that end result be better thsn the current offer?