I thought that I would mark the first deadline of many to come by giving it a post all of its own. I am bound to lose count of the ones to come. Let's just hope I don't miss any of them.
I have until the 31st of October to put in my application for a scholarship. The word scholarship sends a chill through me as I don't have the best of grades. Though I should be able to get this one as I do have recent and relevant research experience. In addition to this I also have authorship on a paper due to all the experimental work that I've done on a research project. So what has come as a pleasant surprise is now part of my application for a PhD.
The application is asking for my CV, academic transcript, referees, relevant experience, project details, (I still don't know what that is exactly), and much more. It's no wonder I left it in a daze and focussed my attention elsewhere. I will start working on it tomorrow and see how far I get with it. I'm not going to stress over it too much at the moment as more than one person did point out to me that it is over a whole month away.
In between now and then I have a holiday to enjoy.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Uh, Mum, Dad...There's Something You Should Know
I told my parents yesterday that I'm going to sign up for a PhD project.
They took the news better than I expected. I don't know why I was so worried about telling them but I was. It is three years, (I'm not wanting to take any longer), of further study, insane hours and a move back to being a full-time student. It's the strangest career move that I've made yet. Normally I move up or sideways. I don't quite know what direction this move is but I am sure it's not down.
My parents are supportive of my decision. I'm not sure if mum fully understands what it is I'm signing up for which was expected. What was surprising was that dad started using words like "academia", "doctorate" and "thesis title". I wasn't prepared for that and nor did I realise that dad was familiar with the terms.
So the next thing is to let my supervisor know.
They took the news better than I expected. I don't know why I was so worried about telling them but I was. It is three years, (I'm not wanting to take any longer), of further study, insane hours and a move back to being a full-time student. It's the strangest career move that I've made yet. Normally I move up or sideways. I don't quite know what direction this move is but I am sure it's not down.
My parents are supportive of my decision. I'm not sure if mum fully understands what it is I'm signing up for which was expected. What was surprising was that dad started using words like "academia", "doctorate" and "thesis title". I wasn't prepared for that and nor did I realise that dad was familiar with the terms.
So the next thing is to let my supervisor know.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Decision Time
It's now time to make a decision.
A project has come my way that I cannot laugh off, or most importantly, forget. It is an industry sponsored project that has me excited. From the details, it looks rather straight forward and if I do manage to make a groundbreaking discovery, there is a potential that the thesis will be embargoed, meaning it doesn't see the light of day for x years.
Upon finishing I have will have two options, one to go into academia and the second to head out to industry and work as a consultant or perhaps as a professional in my field. Knowing this helps a little because for the most part I have the impression that a PhD isn't highly valued in industry. Though then again this is most likely due to the conditions in industry more than anything else. And academia is something I don't know a lot about but I will most likely find out more as the years go by during a PhD.
I have let my potential supervisor know of my interest. I had to, that and the news got out that I was indeed contemplating a PhD. This project seemed to be beckoning for me to take it. He was rather happy at the prospect of me signing on in a PhD. Though I was at pains to stipulate that I do also want to finish my current postgraduate coursework having getting so close to completion and given the amount it's costing me, I want to finish it otherwise I've just taken a lot of expensive courses with nothing to show.
There are deadlines looming for applications, scholarships and funding. When are they? I have no clue. I decided it was safer not asking.
I know I do want to do a PhD, it's just that I need time to think about it a little more and adjust.
A project has come my way that I cannot laugh off, or most importantly, forget. It is an industry sponsored project that has me excited. From the details, it looks rather straight forward and if I do manage to make a groundbreaking discovery, there is a potential that the thesis will be embargoed, meaning it doesn't see the light of day for x years.
Upon finishing I have will have two options, one to go into academia and the second to head out to industry and work as a consultant or perhaps as a professional in my field. Knowing this helps a little because for the most part I have the impression that a PhD isn't highly valued in industry. Though then again this is most likely due to the conditions in industry more than anything else. And academia is something I don't know a lot about but I will most likely find out more as the years go by during a PhD.
I have let my potential supervisor know of my interest. I had to, that and the news got out that I was indeed contemplating a PhD. This project seemed to be beckoning for me to take it. He was rather happy at the prospect of me signing on in a PhD. Though I was at pains to stipulate that I do also want to finish my current postgraduate coursework having getting so close to completion and given the amount it's costing me, I want to finish it otherwise I've just taken a lot of expensive courses with nothing to show.
There are deadlines looming for applications, scholarships and funding. When are they? I have no clue. I decided it was safer not asking.
I know I do want to do a PhD, it's just that I need time to think about it a little more and adjust.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
It's a TRAP!!
During my time working and studying at university, I have now found myself in the position where most of the people in the department asks me whether I am interested in completing a PhD. Well I suppose if I'm still around and have survived the politics and administration that is known as the university, by their logic I should be able to survive a PhD.
How did I get into this position? To be honest when I look back now I can see the traps so clearly but not so at the time. These academic folks can be sneaky when it suits them best.
Location
I've been given a desk in a lab where I conduct my research. I even have a window with a view. It came with heating and cooling. I've been spoilt really and it's been nice. Let's hope I can keep this same desk should I sign up.
Equipment
I have equipment, equipment dedicated to me. Okay, so some of it is old but at least it works. Well, until I wear it out or it breaks which is never a good thing. I even have access to analytical equipment which is always good for assays without the need to send them away to an external lab.
Food and Drink
There's the morning teas, lunch breaks and afternoon teas. The departmental stuff is great. I mean I've gotten to meet the other people who work and study here and the PhD Candidates don't appear to be stressed out. Though then again work and study aren't mentioned at such get-togethers. The appearance of cake guarantees everyone comes out of their offices and labs, especially on birthdays.
Sometimes on Friday afternoons we do get to kick back and have a few drinks. Nothing like getting your supervisor tipsy.
The divisional functions are fun. That's where I've met people outside of my cloistered area. Though granted, I've had discussions with people about things that I felt I didn't quite grasp but it's a good sign that they talk to me again at the next function. So I can't be doing too badly or it could be them wanting to talk about their research to anyone who will listen. Nevertheless I do find it interesting when the topic strays to subjects from killer microbes to nanotechnology.
Of course the food is good and the drink is also good. They're extremely useful events on days I forget to bring my lunch in or when my personal stash of food and drink is at a low.
Interesting Project Offers
You get talking to people about work related topics. It can't be helped. It happens. This does lead to talking about ideas and things. That's when things get hazy and before you know it, you're talking PhD Project and next thing you know people are jokingly adding "Dr" to your name and it sounds good, really good. Despite this you're able to laugh it off but you are left with a possible project in your brain that will now come to tease you on the days when things are going well in the lab.
Of Funding
This is when the jokes do stop. It's the business end of wooing. When the mention of money comes out, the person making the offer is deadly serious. The application is a mere formality. I just need to say yes, no or that I will think about it. Actually, "no" isn't a viable option at this stage because I wouldn't get the offer unless you were actually wanting to be in this situation as I would have needed to play the game well to get here.
Perhaps this is my own doing after all but I can't figure out who played who here.
How did I get into this position? To be honest when I look back now I can see the traps so clearly but not so at the time. These academic folks can be sneaky when it suits them best.
Location
I've been given a desk in a lab where I conduct my research. I even have a window with a view. It came with heating and cooling. I've been spoilt really and it's been nice. Let's hope I can keep this same desk should I sign up.
Equipment
I have equipment, equipment dedicated to me. Okay, so some of it is old but at least it works. Well, until I wear it out or it breaks which is never a good thing. I even have access to analytical equipment which is always good for assays without the need to send them away to an external lab.
Food and Drink
There's the morning teas, lunch breaks and afternoon teas. The departmental stuff is great. I mean I've gotten to meet the other people who work and study here and the PhD Candidates don't appear to be stressed out. Though then again work and study aren't mentioned at such get-togethers. The appearance of cake guarantees everyone comes out of their offices and labs, especially on birthdays.
Sometimes on Friday afternoons we do get to kick back and have a few drinks. Nothing like getting your supervisor tipsy.
The divisional functions are fun. That's where I've met people outside of my cloistered area. Though granted, I've had discussions with people about things that I felt I didn't quite grasp but it's a good sign that they talk to me again at the next function. So I can't be doing too badly or it could be them wanting to talk about their research to anyone who will listen. Nevertheless I do find it interesting when the topic strays to subjects from killer microbes to nanotechnology.
Of course the food is good and the drink is also good. They're extremely useful events on days I forget to bring my lunch in or when my personal stash of food and drink is at a low.
Interesting Project Offers
You get talking to people about work related topics. It can't be helped. It happens. This does lead to talking about ideas and things. That's when things get hazy and before you know it, you're talking PhD Project and next thing you know people are jokingly adding "Dr" to your name and it sounds good, really good. Despite this you're able to laugh it off but you are left with a possible project in your brain that will now come to tease you on the days when things are going well in the lab.
Of Funding
This is when the jokes do stop. It's the business end of wooing. When the mention of money comes out, the person making the offer is deadly serious. The application is a mere formality. I just need to say yes, no or that I will think about it. Actually, "no" isn't a viable option at this stage because I wouldn't get the offer unless you were actually wanting to be in this situation as I would have needed to play the game well to get here.
Perhaps this is my own doing after all but I can't figure out who played who here.
A Little Background
I hold a BSc in Science and I've worked in industry since graduating. After 24 months or so I became bored and needed to move on so I signed up for a Graduate Diploma and a paid research position at the same university to fit in a job with studying congruently. And life was grand.
I had a quasi student life and without a care in the world. And my masterplan was to graduate after a couple of years of part-time study and head back out into industry with new skills. As all masterplans go, this one was doomed to change.
And it has with one simple question, "Have you ever considered taking up a PhD?"
I had a quasi student life and without a care in the world. And my masterplan was to graduate after a couple of years of part-time study and head back out into industry with new skills. As all masterplans go, this one was doomed to change.
And it has with one simple question, "Have you ever considered taking up a PhD?"
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