Transcript Why do a PhD? - QMUL Jobs Blog

Dr. Tracy Bussoli
Careers Adviser for Researchers
Careers
Why do a PhD?
A PhD. is an in-depth research
programme. The work produced
for the PhD must fundamentally be
original, in other words written by
only you, containing your thoughts
and findings. Once all the research
is complete, it is presented in a
thesis.
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What is a PhD?
• A first or 2:1 degree
• Masters
• Postgraduate Diploma
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What qualifications do
you need?
• Fascinated by a particular topic
• Know that they want to work in
academia
• Stay at university 3 more years
• Recession….no good jobs!
• Good at ……….
• To be called Dr!
• Not sure what else to do
• Need it for….
• Academic suggested it because you
are great.
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Why do people do one?
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What to expect
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To have an intense
relationship with supervisor
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To be able to motivate
yourself
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To be proactive!
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To stay on top of
literature!
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To feel stressed when you
take a holiday!
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Long hours…but
flexible!
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To be consumed by your
PhD research!
• Completely absorbing
• Become an expert
• Only way into academia/industry
• 3 years to develop research skills
including many transferable skills
such as analytical skills and
problem solving
• Extremely fulfilling when you
finish!
• Get Dr. before your name
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Do it!
• Academia is extremely competitive More
PhDs graduate than tenured posts available
• Few employers actively recruit PhDs
although 70% would welcome applications
from PhDs.
• Takes three years of life…could be learning
‘on the job skills’
• Many people feel ‘too specialised’ at the end
and it is then difficult to become a
generalist
*Only 6% of employers actively recruit PhDs
(Vitae report 2010)
http://www.vitae.ac.uk/policy-practice/1393-205111/Recruiting14researchers.html
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Don’t do it!
• 16,500 PhDs graduated in 2006
cf. 320, 000 undergrads (1:20)
• Only ¼ of researchers know what
they want to do at beginning of
PhD….does not get better
throughout (in my experience!)
• Bottleneck for academic jobs
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Some Facts about PhDs and
employment
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From
16Vitae: What do Researchers do? 2009
http://www.vitae.ac.uk/policy-practice/107611/What-do-researchers-do-2009.html
• Final year project
• Talk to people in your department
• Look at PhDs on various websites,
speak to potential supervisor
• How experienced is your potential
supervisor? How many PhDs has
he/she supervised. Did they complete
on time?
• Research the lab/department….speak
to people about lab/supervisor
• Don’t accept until you have done
research.
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How to choose a PhD?
• http://www.findaphd
• http://www.postgraduatestudentship
s.co.uk
• http://www.jobs.ac.uk/
• www.prospects.ac.uk/links/pgdbase
• Nature and New Scientist
• Times Higher Education
• University Websites
• Finalist Directory
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Where to look for a
PhD
• PhD's; What they don't tell you - by Duggi Zuram
Reflections on Tutors, Libraries and Other PhD
Students
• PhD Study in the Arts & Humanities - by the
FindAPhD Team
How to apply and how to get by in the Arts,
Humanities & Social Sciences
• A Guide to PhD Research in Computing - by Prof
Sean Gong
• A short overview of what is expected of both
student and supervisor Hints for New PhD Students
on How to Write Research Papers - by Prof Shahn
Majid
A guide for writing in mathematics
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Books
Mock Interviews and DVD
CV Checking
Advice
Telephone: 020 7882 8533
Email: [email protected]
• Open Monday – Friday
• 10.30 – 5pm (4pm on Friday)
• Drop in sessions (Book appointment)
• Monday - Thursday
• 10.30 – 12.30 and 2 – 4.30
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