I don't know what to do next year

KiLLeR CoUCh

I'm in my final year of a science degree in college. I've just finished my project work for the year and it went fine. The work wasn't the most interesting thing I've ever done, there were times I was bored to tears and hated it but overall I got good results and I'll probably get a very good grade for it. I was called into a meeting with my supervisor this afternoon and offered a PhD doing the same work.

Originally after graduating I wanted to do a year long taught masters course. It's a masters in a health care related field and something I'm really interested in. Once I graduated from that I'd be qualified for a pretty well paying job in a hospital (whether jobs will be available or not when I'm finished is another story). I'm not guaranteed a place on this course, it's all dependant on my final grades and getting some good references. I'm currently entitled to a grant but I don't know whether I'll still be entitled next year so I may also have to pay for this course. If that turns out to be the case I'll have to take a year out to save up and then start the course in 2012.

I've always been academic and choosing to do a masters over a PhD I've essentially been handed feels like a bit of a cop out. So my choice seems to have come down to being in a secure position for 4 years doing something I'm not keen on vs spending an extra year in college but not being guaranteed work after that year. I haven't told anybody about this because there are people going mad applying for PhDs that would love to be in my position. On paper the PhD sounds like a great opportunity... But I just don't know what's better for me. I can't wait and see if I get a place on the masters as I have to tell my supervisor my plans by the end of February.

kjl

How have you been offered a PhD as an undergrad?

You haven't even gotten your final result

nogoodnamesleft

I was in somewhat the position as you about 5years ago but in a different field. I had good grades throughout my 4 year degree and in the finishing stages of my Final Year Project my project supervisor offered me funded research. I thought long and hard about it as I would be getting paid for it (not very much mind you but still a bit of an income). But something to be aware of is that sometimes supervisors used research by students under them for their own research papers etc.

I opted not to do the research and I did a taught postgraduate qualification as that is what I was interested in doing. Im currently looking at going back to college to further my qualifications in an area im interested in and in an industry that hopefully will have job opportunities.

KiLLeR CoUCh

nogoodnamesleft wrote: »

I opted not to do the research and I did a taught postgraduate qualification as that is what I was interested in doing. Im currently looking at going back to college to further my qualifications in an area im interested in and in an industry that hopefully will have job opportunities.

Thanks, it's really good to hear that and your career path seems a little closer to what I'm aiming for rather than jumping in head first to a PhD. I just feel like I'm insane to toss away something that's landed in my lap like this.

avalon68

Well I guess one other thing to consider is where you see yourself in the world in 5 or 6 years time, because a PhD opens doors in terms of working abroad is places like the US - it is quite literally a passport to the world. That said - it would be very difficult to put in 4 years if you have no love of the subject

KiLLeR CoUCh

KiLLeR CoUCh wrote: »

I'm in my final year of a science degree in college. I've just finished my project work for the year and it went fine. The work wasn't the most interesting thing I've ever done, there were times I was bored to tears and hated it but overall I got good results and I'll probably get a very good grade for it. I was called into a meeting with my supervisor this afternoon and offered a PhD doing the same work.

Originally after graduating I wanted to do a year long taught masters course. It's a masters in a health care related field and something I'm really interested in. Once I graduated from that I'd be qualified for a pretty well paying job in a hospital (whether jobs will be available or not when I'm finished is another story). I'm not guaranteed a place on this course, it's all dependant on my final grades and getting some good references. I'm currently entitled to a grant but I don't know whether I'll still be entitled next year so I may also have to pay for this course. If that turns out to be the case I'll have to take a year out to save up and then start the course in 2012.

I've always been academic and choosing to do a masters over a PhD I've essentially been handed feels like a bit of a cop out. So my choice seems to have come down to being in a secure position for 4 years doing something I'm not keen on vs spending an extra year in college but not being guaranteed work after that year. I haven't told anybody about this because there are people going mad applying for PhDs that would love to be in my position. On paper the PhD sounds like a great opportunity... But I just don't know what's better for me. I can't wait and see if I get a place on the masters as I have to tell my supervisor my plans by the end of February.

1. If you do the PhD what are the career prospects? The most important question. Don't be beguiled by the ego stuff of having a PhD.

2. If your proposed area of doctoral research is an area where 'The work wasn't the most interesting thing I've ever done, there were times I was bored to tears and hated it' I would not sign up to doing a PhD on it, never mind basing your professional academic career on a topic which currently makes you feel like that even in your undergraduate degree.

3. I usually wouldn't waste time on a Masters unless 1) it would allow you to continue on to a PhD or 2) it was a direct way to get into a good-paying profession.

4. As a general rule, you're usually better off doing your PhD in another university. If it's science-related you'd be better placed to do it in a university and under a supervisor which is at the cutting edge. Failing that, a supervisor who is well networked and superb at extracting funding should be a fundamental issue in your choice.

5. PhDs are not, generally speaking, intellectually difficult. They are, generally speaking, temperamentally and emotionally unnatural experiences for most human beings. Do not underestimate this aspect. It will cause you years of pain if you do, stuck in those tunnels where you can't see the light, isolated and feeling lonely for the first time in your life.... If you do a PhD your aim should be, for your own mental health alone, to finish it within 2 or 3 years max. A tough task but that target will keep your mind focused, occupied and disciplined. Where those three characteristics are not your guiding principles doing a PhD will become a nightmare.

6. There are hugely rewarding intellectual aspects to finishing a PhD. It is personally uniquely fulfilling. However, you have to put great commitment and energy into managing yourself - your self-discipline, target-setting and achieving, continuous motivation, continuous self-belief, determination to overcome personal setbacks, etc.

Best of luck.

KiLLeR CoUCh

KiLLeR CoUCh wrote: »

Thanks, it's really good to hear that and your career path seems a little closer to what I'm aiming for rather than jumping in head first to a PhD. I just feel like I'm insane to toss away something that's landed in my lap like this.

You're very mistaken on the economics of Irish universities. Universities want PhD students more than prospective PhD students want them. This is precisely why all the Irish universities are sending representatives to China, India and the like to recruit PhD students, and their huge fees. The universities cannot get enough PhD students here. Don't be plámásed into doing a PhD that you don't really want because you are flattered by an academic wanting to recruit you. It's part of his job to get more students.

avalon68

avalon68 wrote: »

because a PhD opens doors in terms of working abroad is places like the US - it is quite literally a passport to the world

If only it would open a few doors in Ireland....

avalon68

Deleted User wrote: »

If only it would open a few doors in Ireland....

It opens one big one - unfortunately it has a large flashing EXIT sign over it

KiLLeR CoUCh

Fuaranach, what you've said makes an awful lot of sense. In the research group I was offered the PhD work with, two postgrads are finishing up and a postdoc is coming to the end of their contract and all three of them were having a lot trouble finding work to apply for. It's not not the easiest area of expertise to apply to a job afterwards, I don't know why that didn't send alarm bells ringing in my head sooner.

The offer was flattering I guess, but I'm feeling much better about turning it down now