Any one done a PhD?? or perhaps post grad research?

[Ken_A]

I know it's totally out of bounds but - I want to see if anyone has a PhD, MPhil etc

I worked as a specialist technician then Engineer for 10 years before the recession, I had managed to start my own business and managed to get a good reputation for my work. However, times got hard so I went back to Uni and done a degree - one of the things I always wanted to do. Completed 4th year (BEng level) in Civil Engineering and managed to get what would have been a first class honours if I stopped, but I changed over to the MEng course (masters) now and have already completed my dissertation. From the research I have managed to get a journal article published and I am awaiting the peer review on another paper. Doing the research and compiling the papers have really hit my nerd button, I enjoyed the research and feel that this is perhaps the way I want to move forward. I am looking at the qualitative area of construction management and possibly sustainability with evolution post recession.

I mentioned it to my dissertation supervisor who was more than happy to discuss the various routes and elements he has going to research (some items were due to my research), but I was hoping for a non biased opinion from people who don’t really know me - how did you get on? how did you handle the amount of reading material? What was the worst part? Did it help or hinder you when you went for jobs after??

I have also posted similar on findaphd.com but any other information sources would be great.

Thanks, K

 

[Curls]

Yip. Did a PhD back when funding was utter crap so had to work too. Here's how it went.

Year 1. Drank a lot.
Year 2. Drank more.
Year 3. Drank a hell of a lot.
Year 4, on realising I had "wasted" the past 3 years, got the finger out (so to speak) and wrote up in a year. It was painful, but my own fault. From the many other PhD.s I've spoken to you can't really avoid the big push at the end no matter how you play it, writing up the thesis is a nightmare, I was doing 12-14 hour days 7 days a week. But like I said, I had to work hard to make up for the playing hard. Needless to say, I wasn't playing golf those years...

Job wise I'm in a really good job where everyone is PhD educated as we're a specialised consultancy, so yeah, I would never have been considered if I didn't have it. Does that mean that my contemporaries who left college after undergrad and went straight into a job are doing worse? Nope. Some are doing better, but a lot of its luck of the draw and what you're willing to do/where you're willing to go for a job when they come calling. Some folk did better out of a Masters degree, some did better with none at all. How you define better is also a consideration. I might not be earning as much as some but my lifestyle is great and I have a lot of job satisfaction.

What I found at PhD level was the high rate of attrition involved, about half the dudes and lassies that started while I was there didn't finish, and it must look pretty shite on your CV to have an unfinished PhD. You've already achieved a lot, you have industry experience, started your own business and made a success of your degree-masters to the point of publication. Its clear if you start the PhD. you'll succeed, its not rocket science, just the same as what you're doing now only on a bigger scale and involving more commitment. Put it this way, if you can get funded, you'll get a PhD. I took the piss, but was lucky in that I have a natural knack for what I do, so conceptually it was a walk for me, others have to work harder at that part and if I did I'm not sure I would have got away with the murder I got away with. I'm not saying I'm super-intelligent, far from it, I was on the piss for 3 years in fairness I can't be that bright... Just that I get the subject, if you do, you're off to a great start. Folk don't finish for a variety of reasons, some personal and unfortunate, but most cos they A. don't understand what they should be doing and, more often, B. can't be bothered putting the work in. Doesn't sound like you have that problem.

It is very enjoyable, college as a research postgrad is unlike anything in life, what a laugh! Its like being on the scratcher, only better. No responsibilities or set working hours, no classes, the odd movable deadline, a students social life. Whats not to like? If you have hit a nerd nerve and want to take it further then why not, I can tell you however that its about 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration, you've probably gathered that in the process of getting published. If you're young at heart and fancy a few years on the piss and being the object of desire for undergrad chicks (and they do love a postgrad), then I would have no hesitation in saying go for it.

If you need to put bread on the table, I would have thought your credentials should be enough as they stand, certainly if you were willing to spread your wings.

Not sure if that helps or hinders, but think ahead 4 years, what will you regret more? Are you more likely to regret doing it or passing it up? I look back on those years with nothing but fondness.

Whatever you decide, best of luck fella

 

[Ken_A]

Thanks a lot Curls - owe you a pint for that - TBH what you say is exactly what I was thinking - just not 100%.

Here's hoping I get some funding

Once again thanks.

 

[Curls]

No worries chap, happy golfing

 

[CMAC]

slightly off topic but as an early riser I did a degree in Calcium Anthropology- the study of milkmen