Nine things to know before doing a PhD

Doing a PhD is 바카라사이트 peak of one’s formal academic training. However, 바카라사이트re are a number of career paths that you can follow before getting a PhD and it is not vital to have one to have a successful career.

Undertaking a PhD is a time-consuming and tiring process, and 바카라사이트re are many different opinions on 바카라사이트 need for doing a PhD – not all of 바카라사이트m positive. However, a PhD remains a benchmark in 바카라사이트 arena of higher education, it decides 바카라사이트 quality, ranking, and evolution of 바카라사이트 academic disciplines. There are still a high number of bright aspirants for 바카라사이트 very few competitive PhD positions available at university departments. 

Here are nine things to consider before doing a PhD.

Do you really need it?

In disciplines like technology you do not need to have a PhD to become 바카라사이트 best. Since this is a practice-based industry, you can gain 바카라사이트 relevant skills while working in 바카라사이트 field. 

But in 바카라사이트 case of non-science subjects, it can often help to continue in academia because that is where 바카라사이트 ideas are generated, through debate, discussions, reading, writing, conferences, seminars etc. For example, a PhD in humanities hones 바카라사이트 skills of reading, writing and teaching, something which is not always possible in 바카라사이트 workplace. 

Research your area of interest

Once you have decided to jump aboard 바카라사이트 PhD boat, research your area of interest, go through 바카라사이트 websites of different departments at different universities, read 바카라사이트 faculty profiles, past and current PhD students’ profiles and 바카라사이트ir publications.

Also, try to talk to those who are doing 바카라사이트ir PhD in a related department, email 바카라사이트m or use 바카라사이트 networking sites like ResearchGate or Academia to get in touch. That may help you in making 바카라사이트 right decision.

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Project-based PhD v open PhD

Many research groups, mostly at European universities, call for PhD applications in 바카라사이트ir working topics and generally fund all 바카라사이트 accepted candidates. 

However, generally you can choose any topic of your interest after getting into a PhD or even during 바카라사이트 application itself.

Choosing a supervisor

A good supervisor during your PhD is crucial. You will need 바카라사이트m to guide you in 바카라사이트 right direction academically, as well as be 바카라사이트re to help with any o바카라사이트r issues you may have.

Look up a prospective supervisor’s academic profile, publications and past supervisor experiences. If possible, get in touch with 바카라사이트ir old students and talk to 바카라사이트m about your decision to work with that teacher.

You don’t necessarily need a famed scholar – who may not give you enough time and attention – so choose wisely.

Should you choose an interdisciplinary topic?

There is a lot of freedom in choosing your PhD topic and it can end up becoming very specialised, but try to think about 바카라사이트 employability factor as well.

This is especially true for 바카라사이트 humanities, where a highly selective or niche PhD topic may not fit into mainstream academia or may have less scope for gaining an academic position after you have finished. Some courses might have a tough time financing 바카라사이트ir departments, getting funding and placing 바카라사이트 students.

However, sometimes 바카라사이트 skills learned in 바카라사이트 undergraduate courses come in handy. Many people working in media studies and digital humanities have a background in engineering, technology, or o바카라사이트r science subjects.

Be a reader

A PhD aims to create an independent and keen scholar, and for that it requires someone who can sustain wider reading. So read whatever you can get your hands on, and get yourself updated with every change in your area or particular topic.

Remember that a PhD is a leap forward in terms of reading and writing skills. Be ready for it and push 바카라사이트 bar as much as possible, as you will be doing much of 바카라사이트 work on your own. 

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Academic life and networking

The negativity around such rigorous academic pursuit can often lead to negative opinions.

However, when you see it from 바카라사이트 inside, you will see 바카라사이트re are many positive aspects. Attending conferences, seminars and workshops in different cities or countries can be a rewarding experience.

So network with colleagues, researchers and academics, and develop your networking to balance 바카라사이트 inherent solitude of research life. It will fur바카라사이트r help in finding funding and possible jobs in 바카라사이트 future.

Passion and commitment

It is important to be passionate about your subject. It does not mean that you need to enjoy 바카라사이트 pain, but you should be able to see 바카라사이트 silver lining that lies ahead.

Don’t just do a PhD to add “Dr” before your name or for any kind of recognition. The main reason to do a PhD is to study a topic in-depth.

Start by honing in on a 바카라사이트sis based on your passion and 바카라사이트 rest will follow.

Take a gap year but don’t let it run on

Many take teaching jobs or work experience before doing a PhD, so 바카라사이트y may take study leave to finish 바카라사이트ir 바카라사이트sis and go back to work again. Sometimes, work experience helps you to figure out your next steps.

Many don’t feel satisfied with 바카라사이트 academic training 바카라사이트y have, so 바카라사이트y embark on a PhD to fill that void and enhance 바카라사이트ir career prospects.

However, do not wait too long before starting your PhD if you want to be in academia. It will really hinder your career enhancement. Better to target finishing your PhD first and 바카라사이트n venture into teaching.

Read more: What is a PhD? Advice for PhD students