Careers Why do a PhD? Dr. Tracy Bussoli Careers Adviser for Researchers

2 Careers What is a PhD? A PhD. is an in-depth research programme. 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.

3 Careers What qualifications do you need? A first or 2:1 degree Masters Postgraduate Diploma

4 Careers Why do people do one? Fascinated by a particular topic Know that they want to work in academia Stay at university 3 more years Recession….no good jobs! Good at ………. To be called Dr! Not sure what else to do Need it for…. Academic suggested it because you are great.

Careers What to expect

6 Careers To have an intense relationship with supervisor

7 Careers To be able to motivate yourself

8 Careers To be proactive!

9 Careers To stay on top of literature!

10 Careers To feel stressed when you take a holiday!

11 Careers Long hours…but flexible!

Careers To be consumed by your PhD research!

13 Careers Do it! Completely absorbing Become an expert Only way into academia/industry 3 years to develop research skills including many transferable skills such as analytical skills and problem solving Extremely fulfilling when you finish! Get Dr. before your name

14 Careers Don’t do it! Academia is extremely competitive More PhDs graduate than tenured posts available Few employers actively recruit PhDs although 70% would welcome applications from PhDs. Takes three years of life…could be learning ‘on the job skills’ Many people feel ‘too specialised’ at the end and it is then difficult to become a generalist *Only 6% of employers actively recruit PhDs (Vitae report 2010) researchers.html

15 Careers Some Facts about PhDs and employment 16,500 PhDs graduated in 2006 cf. 320, 000 undergrads (1:20) Only ¼ of researchers know what they want to do at beginning of PhD….does not get better throughout (in my experience!) Bottleneck for academic jobs

16 Careers From Vitae: What do Researchers do?

17 Careers How to choose a PhD? Final year project Talk to people in your department Look at PhDs on various websites, speak to potential supervisor How experienced is your potential supervisor? How many PhDs has he/she supervised. Did they complete on time? Research the lab/department….speak to people about lab/supervisor Don’t accept until you have done research.

18 Careers Where to look for a PhD s.co.ukhttp:// s.co.uk Nature and New Scientist Times Higher Education University Websites Finalist Directory

19 Careers Books PhD's; What they don't tell you - by Duggi Zuram Reflections on Tutors, Libraries and Other PhD StudentsPhD's; What they don't tell you PhD Study in the Arts & Humanities - by the FindAPhD Team How to apply and how to get by in the Arts, Humanities & Social SciencesPhD Study in the Arts & Humanities A Guide to PhD Research in Computing - by Prof Sean GongA Guide to PhD Research in Computing 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 Majid A guide for writing in mathematicsHints for New PhD Students on How to Write Research Papers

20 Careers Mock Interviews and DVD CV Checking Advice Telephone: Open Monday – Friday – 5pm (4pm on Friday) Drop in sessions (Book appointment) Monday - Thursday – and 2 – 4.30

21 Careers