PhD or cooking course??

Hannaho

Hi! I'd like a career change from Health Setvice. Thinking of doing PhD in sociology, but like a cousin who I posted hear about, I love cooking - thinking of doing 3 month course in Dublin or Balltmaloe - am I mad. PhD wud b par time. I'm 50 - need career change from Health Service - wud welcome perspectives

LLMMLL

What career do you see a PhD leading to?

Hannaho

Hi! I''m not sure. Thinking of doing it on gender based violence. I would be finished at 56. Would it be difficult to get lecturing then? Can I wait that long to change career?

twill

It is very difficult to get jobs in academia. Do you have expertise from your work in the health service which informs the area you want to focus on? If not, I'm not sure I'd advise it. A humanities PhD does not guarantee a job in the field, and without years of relevant experience you'd be starting from scratch and competing with lots of people in their 20s and 30s.

I see you mentioned a part-time PhD -there would be no harm in that if you aren't absolutely depending on it leading to the career you had in mind.

Hannaho

Thanks Twill, that's probably sound advice - I do have some experience in the topic I want to study, but I know I would be competing with people much younger than me, and I would also be depending on the Phd to lead to a different career out of the Health Services. I think doing the cookery course might be a quicker option. Would like to teach cooking to kids, teenagers, or work in a specialist cafe - maybe something like Avoca. A friend of a friend has offered to give me work experience in his wine shop - there is a wine cert included in the course. The money matters, but not hugely. Want to get out of Health Services. I have two masters, so maybe it's time to get away from academics and do something more practical.

LegacyUser

Hi OP, I'm an underemployed Dr of Sociology in my late 20s. I've published journal articles, book reviews and even a book and couldn't get an academic job. Most lecturing jobs now are rubbish paid by the hour jobs. You'd get more on the dole. I really wouldn't bother with a PhD in anything. Do the cooking course. Much more fun and you might get something more tangible out of it :-) You'll get something edible and tasty out of it at the very least. Life is for living. Don't waste it on the dead duck that is academia. Underemployed but a lot happier out of that game.

Hannaho

Hi! Drunderemployed. Thanks for your reply. Yes, it does seem like you have to do a lot - study, research, publish endlessly - for lowish pay. I think I will stick with the cookery course!

Wesser

Cooking course!!!!!!

puppieperson1

cooking i work in the food industry you will always have work academia is over rated and there are a lot of pHd's on the dole !!

Hannaho

Thanks puppieperson1 - the courses that I have looked into - the tutors have all said I would have loads of work, but I wasn't quite sure if I could believe them.

Wesser - yes, I cook to relieve stress - so I cook a lot!!!!

ivytwine

Having observed a PhD from a distance it's definitely something I would advise that you not do unless you're a hundred percent committed to it, and you really want it. The workload is astronomical and prospects not great, especially in sociology.

I'd go cooking all the way, but there's nothing to stop you maybe doing a masters or even undergrad in sociology and choosing gender based violence as a topic for your dissertation or masters thesis.

Even that can lead to publication in academic journals, I got a college essay published in collaboration with another student who had written a similar piece.

Dial Hard

Do the cookery course. I think that's where you know your real interest lies.

And coincidentally, DIT's School of Culinary Arts will be offering a Masters in Gastronomy from next year. I know you already have two, but third time's the charm, right? :-)

messy tessy

I remember your other thread a few months ago. Did your cousin take the leap into cooking? Are you planning on setting up cookery classes with her?

sashafierce

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LegacyUser

If you have been working in the health service full time since your early 20's then you are probably 10 years (or possibly less) from being able to take early retirement. If so I'd just stick it out, retire as soon as its financially worthwhile (i.e. you get a decent pension) and pursue your interests then. All the better if you get more income from it to supplement your pension.