Why do a PhD?

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Why do a PhD?

• Dr. Tracy Bussoli
• Careers Adviser for Researchers

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What is a PhD?

• A PhD. is an in depth research programme. It is
  normally undertaken upon completion of a degree
  course. The work produced for the PhD. must
  fundamentally be original, in other words written
  by only you, containing your thoughts and
  findings. Once all the research is complete, it
  is presented in a thesis.

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Some Reasons

• Fascinated by a particular topic
• Know that you want to work in academia
• Stay at university 3 more years
• Recession
• Good at .
• To be called Dr!

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More Reasons

• Need it for.
• Done well in your degree and asked

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Some peoples reasons

• Well I always enjoyed understanding things and
  I also enjoyed very much explaining things to
  other people. I felt much comfortable in the
  academic environment and I think this is my way.

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Some peoples reasons

• I got into research because I really enjoyed
  science from a very young age and I wanted to
  pursue a career in academia so the logical path
  there was to do a PhD and to progress into
  research that way.

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What to expect

• To motivate yourself
• To be proactive
• To be initially overwhelmed
• To keep on top of current literature
• 2-3 weeks holiday although more offered!
• Long hours but flexible
• To think about nothing but your PhDespecially
  when writing up!

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What qualifications do you need?

• A first or 21 degree
• Or a Masters
• Postgrad diploma

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Reasons to do a PhD

• Completely absorbing
• Become an expert
• Only way into academia/industry
• 3 years to develop skills including team working,
  project management, presentation skills etc.
• Extremely fulfilling when you finish!
• Get Dr. before your name

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Why not do a PhD?

• Academia is extremely competitive and not that
  well paid
• More PhDs graduate than posts available
• Sometimes difficult to convince employers that
  you are not too specialisedhave to put focus on
  transferable skills
• Takes three years of lifecould be learning on
  the job skills
• Some people feel too specialised at he end

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Some Figures about PhDs and employment

• 16,500 PhDs graduated in 2006 cf.
• 320, 000 undergrads (120)
• Only ¼ of researchers know what they want to do
  at beginning of PhD
• In 2005, 28 of graduating STEM PhDs became
  post-docs.
• In 2005 7 of STEM PhDs became lecturers

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What do PhDs do?

• 50 in education
• 10 finance, IT and business
• 15 health and social work
• 15 manufacturing
• 5 public admin
• 5 other

UK Grad 2004-2006 Survey
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How to choose a PhD?

• Final year project
• Talk to people in your department
• Look at PhDs on various websites, speak to
  potential supervisor
• Research the lab/department.speak to people
  about lab/supervisor
• Dont accept until you have done research.

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Where to look for a PhD

• http//www.findaphd
• http//www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk
• http//www.jobs.ac.uk/
• www.prospects.ac.uk/links/pgdbase
• Nature and New Scientist
• University Websites

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Books

• PhD's What they don't tell you - by Duggi
  ZuramReflections on Tutors, Libraries and Other
  PhD Students
• PhD Study in the Arts Humanities - by the
  FindAPhD Team How to apply and how to get by in
  the Arts, Humanities Social Sciences
• A Guide to PhD Research in Computing - by Prof
  Sean Gong
• A short overview of what is expected of both
  student and supervisor Hints for New PhD Students
  on How to Write Research Papers - by Prof Shahn
  MajidA guide for writing in mathematics

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