Postgraduate study

[Sista]

Im talking MSc's or Phd's and would like to know if anyone here has considered or opted for undertaking either? If so what was it like and if it was Phd what was the area of research?

[amina_imen]

Hello Sista,

I might be able to help, what exactly do you want to know?
What area do you want to go to?

[Sista]

Salam amina

Well, im interested in pursuing one in a healthcare setting or research orientation inshallah. Ideally this would be within the field of Psychology.
I would like to know what people's experience of postgraduate study is like. Did they enjoy it? and particularily how they found the prospect of 3-4 years of further study without formal employment (i appreciate there are other combinations). Also, in what way did this enhance their career prospects.

Ma Salam

[amina_imen]

Hello Sista,

I'm doing a PhD in pharmaceutics, and I think you have to know what you really want out of your career.
I went straight into doing a PhD after I finished my degree although everyone else has had some work experience. I feel the youngest which is a bit funny!!

A PhD definitely opens doors for you in terms of climbing up the career ladder a lot faster, and you have to consider it as some sort of time investment.

Doing a PhD is the hardest thing you can do in academia, it's tough both on the practical and emotional sides. You will have to deal with a lot of stress...I guess that's why they call it Permanent Head Damage (PHD) LOL.

But as long as you're aware of that and decide to go into it then you're definitely doing the right thing for your career prospcts.

Take care

PS Any specific questions?

[Sista]

Thanks amina and lol at the phd anycrom

Well there are few areas of interest that i have that i think would be fascinating to pursue but i really have to tie it down first to the specifics i think. And from what i gather it has to be something your really passionate about otherwise when it gets tough its easy to give up. Out of interest how much preparation did you put into your proposal before going to a potential supervisor. And how long was it after graduating that you started or did you plan you Phd while completing Year 3! Thats incredible if you did!!

If you dont mind me asking how far are you in now? and from personal perspective how has your experience been?

Sorry for all the questions

[amina_imen]

Originally posted by Sista
Thanks amina and lol at the phd anycrom

Well there are few areas of interest that i have that i think would be fascinating to pursue but i really have to tie it down first to the specifics i think. And from what i gather it has to be something your really passionate about otherwise when it gets tough its easy to give up. Out of interest how much preparation did you put into your proposal before going to a potential supervisor. And how long was it after graduating that you started or did you plan you Phd while completing Year 3! Thats incredible if you did!!

If you dont mind me asking how far are you in now? and from personal perspective how has your experience been?

Sorry for all the questions

Oh passionate about the topic is a must and about the research side of things, otherwise you'll just have a miserable 3 years!!
I understand it's hard to choose a research topic as it has to be a specialised area, which you might not know much about at this point but also try to think about what weighs more on your CV in terms of job applications i.e. what is most demanded at the moment and what are the hot research topics now!! That's how I narrowed my choices down to what I'm doing as you know Pharmaceutics is a huge science and I was kind of lost thinking what should I go for?
Yes I went for interviews before graduating (Feb-Mar) i.e. in my final year...what aout you? Have you graduated yet?
Ohh I didn't prepare for any of the interviews lol...I just used my knowledge and some interview skills, I mean you can't read and prepare for every interview especially if you apply for quite a few..but we all deal with such situations differently, if you feel the need to read around the topic then do that if it makes you feel more confident. What they'd be looking for is confidence, determination, interest, passion about the topic, perseverance and awareness that it's tough and that it would at times go downhill and you're the one to pull it through..

Oh how did I forget something very important, as important as the topic itself..the supervisor you work with, if you get on well, everything will be fine, if you don't life will be a misery!!! Also go for someone who is a big name in the area..

I'm in the 2nd year and well it's been going up and down, and if it doesn't go down then there's something wrong

Take care

[Sista]

So youre more than half way there, Congrats

Thank you for the tips, they will be very useful. I actually graduated in the summer and i took on a post on a research project at the beginnin of the year, alongside studying. I then increased my hours after the summer and decided to stay with the project until i decide what i want to do. Up until this year i was all set on going into Teaching but i've decided that i dont want to pursue that yet. I really enjoy research work which is why i think a Phd would really suit me.

Where abouts are you studying?