In May the thesis forum welcomed three speakers who shared their experience of completing the PhD and life on the other side. This was our second webinar (via Adobe Connect) and once again we welcomed a good number of off-campus students.
Rahma (Media & Communications)
Rahma
passed her APG in 2011 and is now in her final year. She started with the positive
aspects of doing a PhD such as enjoying the chance to learn and the experience
of being a student. While you might think your contribution to knowledge is
small, it will be significant. She
advised sticking to highly relevant literature at the start and ensuring you
keep a tight focus. If you struggle with the literature, don’t blame yourself. It
might be that you lack background context or the author hasn’t made themselves
clear. International students can have the additional problem of the language
barrier.. When it comes to your fieldwork, don’t shy away from sensitive or
difficult areas. They might be the potential strengths that will inform your
research and play a significant part. Plan your fieldwork but be flexible. Rahma
also advised making the most of your supervisory meetings, by preparing an agenda
in advance.
Rahma encouraged
PhD students to attend seminars and workshops. Such events are a chance to
develop your work even if the topic varies from yours. There might be
discussion of similar theories or methods, and you will be pushed to questions
your ideas. If you give talks then you will learn to accept comments and
constructive criticism. Sharing your research will also boost your confidence
and knowledge. Rahma has been writing from the very beginning and recommended
free-writing as a way to keep on track. Type up as you go along and keep a good
record of everything. Being organised was also crucial to staying on schedule.
Rahma used a diary to record her aims for each day and to get problematic
thoughts down on paper.
Simon (History/Special Collections)
Simon
finished his PhD in 2005 and told us about the career choices he has made
since. He started by asking the audience what their plans were for the future.
A number were intending to pursue a career outside academia. You may expect to
go in a straight smooth line through from PhD to post-doc to lectureship. Often
this isn’t the reality. Simon talked us through the series of different
research posts he held and described how they helped develop his skills and
experience. He gained skills in team-working, project management new technologies
and was involved with writing funding bids. Team projects often give options
for publications which can boost your CV.
Simon
recommended broadening your search when it comes to post-PhD employment. Universities
have lots of people with PhDs in academic-related, support roles. www.jobs.ac.uk can be a good source for
academic-related jobs. Twitter is also useful for jobs and postdoctoral
position. Networking is also very important.
Mukhtar (Politics & International Relations)
Mukhtar
graduated in January 2013. He discussed the importance of sticking to deadlines
and how this is key to finishing your project. He juggled a number of other
commitments during his PhD such as part-time work, working as a research associate,
taking up short fellowships, and attending conferences. Mukhtar suggested researchers
should balance this with non-academic activities. He also raised the issue of
publishing and the long lead times on submissions. PhD students should be aware
of the length of time it might take to hear back from journals and the time
between acceptance and publication. Mukhtar acknowledged that there can be
demotivating factors about the PhD, but these can be countered if you are a
passionate researcher and sustain your academic curiosity.
Leicester
students can access a video recording of the whole forum via the Research
Essentials Online module on Blackboard. Please go to Blackboard and select Research
Essentials Online (APU X005) > Thesis forum > Thesis Forum May 2013 > If you
have any difficulties accessing this please get in
touch.
Our next webinar will take place on June 11th on ‘Digital literacy as a postgraduate attribute’. Full details will be available soon.