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Research PhD?

  • 08-05-2012 1:33pm
    #1
    adastra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43 ✭


    Hi everyone, hoping for a bit of guidance here....

    Nearly two years ago I completed a MSc in Child & Adolescent Mental Health, and despite applying for numerous jobs, I have not been able to find anything yet, so I am stuck working in retail, in order to pay the bills.

    When I applied for the MSc, it was with the intention of going on to do a PhD in Educational Psychology. However, without any experience, obviously I haven't got a hope in hell of being offered a place.

    I am now considering applying for a research PhD in the area of child psychology, because I am getting really down and discouraged with the lack of opportunities out there. I can't spend the next two years working in a shop, waiting for the job market to start to improve, while my brain slowly melts into mush.

    My question is, would this kind of PhD mean that I am restricted to working in academia? I do enjoy research, but I am scared to do something that is not a professional qualification if it means that I will have trouble finding a job again afterwards, or of getting research contracts that only last for 12 months at a time.

    I know I am not the only one who is finding it hard to get a job, and I would love to be able to get experience through voluntary work, but I have a student loan to pay off, as well as needing somewhere to live... I can't even afford a car at the moment, and I dont live in a big city where there might be opportunities for part-time volunteering etc.

    I spend my days off trawling the internet for suitable jobs either here or in the UK, but so so many of them require at least a year of relevant experience, I am beginning to think that a PhD is my only option. Help :(


Comments

  • #2
    Valmont
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,857 ✭✭✭Valmont


    I'm in a similar position, adastra. Working in an unrelated area after my MRes. I've also had a funding application turned down for a Phd program. For what it's worth, my plan is as follows:

    (1) Volunteer in my spare time. I'm attending an open evening with the Samaritans this Saturday. I've also been looking around for some more places who may need volunteers, perhaps even a couple hours a week.

    (2) Carrying on research for the university. While the funding committee turned me down, I've been asked to some research based on my proposal. So while I'm doing it for free, in my spare time (I work a 40 week so there isn't much!), and using holiday work hours, I figure having another article or two published can't hurt.

    In short, I expected an apparent dead-end at some stage on my travels through the world of psychology but from what I've read here and on various website is to just carry on improving your CV whatever way you can and hopefully in a few years we'll make it!


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