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How do employers view PhD dropouts?

  • 21-11-2008 5:14pm
    #1
    jw297
    Closed Accounts Posts: 413 ✭✭


    Hi,

    How would an employer view someone who did a year or two of a PhD but didn't finish it, assuming previous third level education is a high standard and references are good?
    And would they ask in depth about the reasons for quitting?


Comments

  • #2
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    They would definitely ask why you quit your thesis, but an answer along the lines of you were finding it difficult to survive on 18k per year would be totally reasonable.


  • #3
    CDfm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,649 ✭✭✭✭CDfm


    Thru a telescope -now that Queens Brian May has finished his.

    Honestly - I dont think they would view it negatively - you have already proven you are smart.


  • #4
    jw297
    Closed Accounts Posts: 413 ✭✭jw297


    thanks :) strangely enough Im surviving ok on 18k. There are very genuine reasons (such as the project going totally pear-shaped :o) so hopefully would be able to deal with any questions about that if it came up. But if the money issue is acceptable it would be worth using too!


  • #5
    CDfm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,649 ✭✭✭✭CDfm


    Its interesting -a friend of mine was finishing something original in maths some years back only for a Jap guy to publish an academic paper on it.

    People in business see projects die all the time and would pay no heed.


  • #6
    happyoutscan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,277 ✭✭✭happyoutscan


    CDfm wrote: »
    Its interesting -a friend of mine was finishing something original in maths some years back only for a Jap guy to publish an academic paper on it.

    People in business see projects die all the time and would pay no heed.


    Agreed


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  • #7
    Serafijn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 375 ✭✭Serafijn


    My other half had the same issue a few years ago - a year in he realised that he couldn't stand academia and the PhD was sucking the life from him. He just explained that he couldn't see a future for himself in the area he was working, and had decided to cut his losses to get into the industry that he really wanted.

    In short, yes they will ask you why you quit. But as long as your reasons are honourable and will not carry over to the job you're going for, then they won't be too worried :)


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