Better Luck Next Time

I'm not signing up for a PhD. There, I said it. It has been the most difficult thing that I have had to say in a long time. It's not that I don't want to sign up because I dearly would like to.

It's due to circumstances that I can't sign up at the moment, well more like university policy. It's left a bitter taste in my mouth. I have been told that I cannot finish my Graduate Diploma and start a PhD or Masters at the same time even though it is in the same field. This is despite knowing other students who do this. On top of this I was told that I was not a strong candidate given that I don't have a four year degree with a GPA to brag about.

My experience in research does count as well as the report that was put out. Though the Graduate Office kept referring back to my degree and my performance as an undergraduate student. I'm now beginning to wonder as to what really counts in this whole process.

I know that apart from being qualified, I am highly skilled. I do keep finding myself in jobs where only I can perform the tasks required. It's not that I don't want to train anyone else. Often there is no one else to train or time simply doesn't permit it. I've now been in a research position for a year and my contract even was renewed and I was given a raise. All good things and I consider myself extremely lucky so I am most grateful.

I just would have liked to have been accepted as a PhD Candidate. It's a moot point given that I am not handing in my application. I'm going to miss the deadline seeing that I have not approached any possible academic referees.

So I'm working full-time and back to completing a Graduate Diploma part-time. I don't know whether I can finish it in the next six months yet. I am going to talk to someone about this possibility once I recover from the fallout. It's taken a fair amount out of me. I can't remember the last time feeling so drained.

It would be a lie to say that I wasn't upset.

A Stumbling Block or Two

I have no project now. I was told that the project that I found to be interesting isn't suitable for a PhD project. I was also told that funding could be slightly dubious but to apply for the scholarship anyway. I may not get it as there are a few factors against me like a crappy GPA and not holding an Honours degree. Though having said that I do have relevant research experience and I do have a published report to wave about at people who care about such things.

I still haven't gotten very far with the paperwork. I'm tired of filling out paperwork for the university frankly. I know I'm running well out of time here but I'm fed up and tired of dealing with administration at the moment. I strongly suspect this is due to the fact that my pay, (or lack of), has been badly mishandled. I'll get it done by the end of the week.

I am so over tutoring the high school student that I took on some months back. She keeps missing classes and to be honest, I wasn't hired as a teacher. It also doesn't help when she doesn't do the work I set her in the first place. Just how one is supposed to pass a subject based on this method I don't know. Fine if you're a prodigy but when you're not?

I've turned down a couple of job offers elsewhere though was told to call them once I had finished my PhD. One place even suggested I complete the PhD on a part-time basis. Not entirely sure what is happening out there in industry but things are sounding like they're more desperate for staff than usual. I know I've removed my CV from recruitment agencies and HR pools so all I can figure that people are contacting me through word of mouth information. I've done this so I can just focus for the next few years ahead on one thing.

Yes, I'm still applying despite having no project, (not so good), and doubts over funding, (also not good).

Oh Look, a Side Project

I am supposed to be filling in my application form but I'm having a little trouble putting into words as to why I want to do a PhD amongst other things. I've even gone into researching, browsing the internet for inspiration. It's only added to the amount of procrastinating that I have been doing of late over applying.

Though I did manage to find something interesting along the way. Barrick Gold Corporation is looking to increase their silver recovery in gold mining and has offered to fund someone's research into it should their proposal be acceptable. In addition to this there's a US$10 million performance bonus. I know very little of this area but I can't help but notice this all the same.

More information at Unlock the Value.

It could even be a side project, though I'm yet to figure out how I would manage something like this or whether I would even have the time to think about another process on top of the one that I will be working on.

I need to focus.

The First Hoops

I'll start off by admitting that I haven't gotten around to filling in all the paperwork for the PhD application. It's not the best course of action granted especially when they're asking for a CV, referees and such. Also signatures too.

In addition to this it has finally become glaringly obvious that I do not have an Honours degree. I did point this out and I did mention it but everything would be ok. Well it isn't as simple as everyone made it out to be and I was waiting for complications. And they've come.

I'm not sure what they are and will find out this week. I can allude to a research paper coming out with my name on it as an author which should get me through the door. I can also mention that I've been working in research for a year now so I have relevant experience in that.

In addition to this I am constantly told that I would thrive in a PhD and do one well. I'm not altogether sure what this is supposed to mean and it's starting to scare me a little. The last time people told me that I would do well and thrive in something was before I entered university. Despite graduating and getting a real job with a career path, I'm now back at uni.

I'm jumping through the hoops regardless to get accepted. It will give me some sense of certainty for the next three years but I think that's really all I'm going to get.