My brilliant PhD student is thinking about packing it in ..

[wonkywheels]

Hi all, new question from me! I have a brilliant PhD student who told me last week that she is thinking about packing it in. The student is funded, is about half way through and is really excellent. But she has decided she doesn't want to become an academic and is in that stage I think where it's not clear what her data is saying, where the whole thing is going, and it feels like really hard work with very little payback. What on earth do I do? Obviously it's not my decision and if she truly doesn't want to be an academic I understand if she thinks what's the point. But I know she will produce something excellent. Anyone got any advice?

Regardless of whether she goes on to be an academic, completing her PhD will look a lot better on her CV than not completing it. My husband gave up on his PhD and still regrets it. I would encourage her to talk to the careers service about the value of a PhD. Alternatively, if she is set on it, she could consider an MPhil to make some use of the work she's already done?

Why does she think a PhD obliges her to remain in academia? My dh has never worked in academia since getting his PhD. He has a very well-paid job in an industry where his skills are used, rather than his dissertation.

I packed in a phd and it was the best thing I ever did. That doesn’t help you, but it does mean this isn’t necessarily detrimental for her.

Does she have something else lined up? If not, she should stay till she does. Why end up at home/on jobseekers when she could be doing the phd while seeking something else.

Talk to her about what she does want to do. If it’s related then the phd may help. If she wants to do something unrelated it won’t. There’s a false assumption employers pay more for postgrad - unless they want that precise skill they don’t pay more.

At least she’s discussing it with you.

If it's fucking up her mental health she should jump ship. If not I'd encourage her to see it to the end. Don't blame her for wanting to evade academia though.

If she was in her third year, I'd very much encourage her to complete it unless as someone said, her mental health was at stake to continue. At half way, I'd say to her that you believe in her, in her abilities and there may be good reasons for continuing (e.g. in lots of fields there will be a kudos to having a doctorate even if you don't work in academia) but that of course it is up to her. This isn't your call, so you just have to leave her to make her own decision as you can't cajole her for a second half of a PhD, it's too long.

what wider skills is she getting during her study? can you help her organise the phd so she gets plenty of 'real world skills', whether supervising junior students or organising events etc.

Also, look up the various 'internships' that RCUK funding bodies have for Phd students to work in government / journalism etc. If she stays on the course + gets one of those, she can be set for the next career move.

I found the sense of personal achievement I had on finishing my Ph.D. was enough to make it worthwhile. I wasn't doing it to get a well paid job, I was doing it to prove to myself that I could.

I think in any long term project - doing a post grad degree, writing a book, renovating a house - there's a time part way through when you wonder if it's worth the effort and consider chucking it in. I think perhaps it's necessary to dig a bit to identify whether it is just the midpoint slump, whether it's a problem with her research, or whether she's struggling personally, and tailor advice accordingly.

Yeah, as above, I'd talk to her to figure out more - also would she be able to leave with an MPhil? One would think halfway that would be possible. You could frame it about, "so, what DO you want to do how can you get set up for it?" It might be a PhD is a fine qualification for what she wants to do, or a Masters - I'd highly encourage her to get something out of this time, and to have a plan (not just running from something, but going TO something). Do you have a careers centre that talks to postgrads? Even if they don't she might be able to chat with them (mine inexpertly gave some clarity to me in a similar place in my PhD, at least by showing me what the non-academic job scene was like).

Thanks for all your responses to this - so helpful. She seems to be holding up for now so we'll see. I really want to underline that I find this forum so helpful. Thanks again!