Be Excellent To Each Other

I think I want to do a PhD. I know I want to have done a PhD, but that's not the same thing. I don't have any ambition to go into research especially. What I'll do after the PhD is something I guess I'll have to think about at the time.

My Masters was in 'Advanced Computer Science' at the University of Liverpool, so I guess I'd be doing something along those lines.

I don't have any kind of special interest in anything, which is proving to be a big problem. I get the impression they're expecting prospective students to burst into the office and announce "Hey there! I'm really interested in the use of <blank> to <blank> <blanks>, and propose <blank>. This follows on from research already undertaken in this research group by doctors <blank> and <blank> and other research by Dr. <blank>. How about it?". I'm the exact inverse of that guy. I don't know what I can do, but I know what I can't do (probabilistic model checking for games with imperfect information using Markov chains, in fact). The ideal scenario would be meeting a prof who says 'We work on <blank that I can actually understand>, and we need a PhD student to work with us who can program.'.

I wrote letters to loads of different staff members at both LJMU and UoL asking if they had or were expecting any studentships for Sept 2011 start. LJMU doesn't seem to have any funding for anything and UoL has enough funding for one student per year (and that's not me). The University of Manchester seems to have funding for its 4 year CDT programme, but the train journey there and back would do my head in. And that's before the whole mysterious study groups thing. I'm afraid I don't know much about the CDT programme and neither do any of the profs because this will be the first year that they'll be doing it.

To summarise: I don't know what I want to do and it doesn't seem like there's anywhere I can do it because they don't have any money.

I'm confused and at a loss for what to do now. What's the next move?

Get a job which funds PhDs and then get a relevant PhD?

Do you just want to do a PhD to avoid the real world though?

From what I understand the most important thing is choosing a tutor who will encourage and guide you.

I think you'd have difficulty startin at a lot of places if you don't have an idea of what it is you want to research. A lot of students find their focus changes, sometimes rather a lot, but I think they generally need to put forward a proposal of what they're going to look at when they start.

However, I'm not really involved with the adimissions side of things and mostly focus on the other end, so there's a lot I'm not aware of.

If money is a problem, then you'll need a sponsor to be safe, and/or to work and study part time. It's likely not worth stretching yourself to absurd levels financially, as research needs more attention and independent work than a taught course, so if you completely knacker yourself out your work will suffer for it.

I would say it's probably worth calling up some universities and talking to them about it. Look up specific academic types if needed, and provision of supervision is an important factor in whether or not they can accomodate you.

That's the reason I decided not to do one when it was offered to me.

I'd say do one if you are really interested in it, but a path to riches it isn't.

Also, ask yourself, could you do the same thing for 4 years for fuck all money?

Yeah, if you don't get on with your supervisor, don't start. I don't know about other places, but they basically have to approve all big decisions (like taking time off, changing mode of attendance, even changing your supervisor), and you should in theory be working together. It varies a lot with the field, subject, and individual, but if they're a dick you won't be in for an enjoyable time at all.

Not wanting to discourage you (I really, really want to do a doctorate someday), but this blog has some things you might want to consider before applying.

Really? When my wife went to Greenwich she just applied for a PhD course in a specific department, and then when she was accepted they went through suitable topic areas with her and they came up with a specific title together.

Science PhD's work along the lines of "We're doing things in this area, specifically, this, interested?". I can't comment on arts PhD's as interpreting a book in a slightly different way isn't a real subject.

Also: sob. There are 3* universities in Liverpool

*I refuse to count LIPA

Yeah, that was pretty much it.

If you really want to do it can't you move?

Im pretty sure that nearly all PhDs (possibly all) are funded with about 1k a month tax free. But then those are the ones that they advertise. It's probably harder to go ín and be "Hi I want one, can you get funding?" but not impossible.

From speaking to people on the topic I would say you are an ill suited candidate for a Ph.D.

Primarily, you arent really interested in anything, and you'll need to be interested in something miniscule in the field for over 3 years.
Without this, you lack any foundation for undertaking the research.

I recommend getting an Job, then you wont necessarily need a Ph.D as you will have valuable experience.

Disagree with lots of what people are saying here. My PhD was in a field I knew nothing about and was pitched to me, as a complete package, by my supervisor. Also, I was far from poor whilst doing it; I paid no fees, I received a tax-free stipend from the EPSRC of about £10k per year, another £4k per year from my sponsoring company on a CASE award scheme, and about £15/hr doing labs and tutorials with undergrads. In all I was taking home more money than I did when I eventually started work for £25k/year.

My sister used to work for Unilever, and got her doctorate by basically just going to work everyday and doing what she did for a living, and then wrote it up at the end of 3 years...
There are companies out there in the more science fields who will help you get your doctorate if it is relevant to the job they pay you to do, so that may be an option for you?

So she's a Dr do little?

I should say so! She is now a very highly qualified housewife and mother

OKAY!

I've been shortlisted for a funded place at a good uni that isn't too far away, and I have an interview next week! Now I need to get myself looking sharp and thinking sharper! (Aaargh!)

Nice one!

Coolio. Good luck! What's in on and stuff?

Thank you! :D

Computer Science. It's not yet determined what exactly it's on yet because I'm doing the extended loads-of-years thing.

"it's a portable"
"a portable what?"
"dunno, i've only made the handles so far"

It'll never catch on, you are wasting your time...

I really want to disagree and argue that this is to take a narrow view of what one actually does on an arts degree course, but I've got nothin'.

If money is an issue, then you need a sponsor to be safe, and / or part-time work and study. It may not be worth stretching their absurd economic level, more attention needs to study and teach courses than to work independently, so if you completely knacker yourself out of your work will be it....

Beexbot, is that you?

The interview went well, it seems! I've been staring at an offer for over a week now. Dare I accept? DARE I? Every time I think about this I desperately panic. Is that good or bad?

Get a job, hippy.

Do it, otherwise you'll regret it.

PhDs involve a lot of panic (in the third year at least) so you seem ready for it.

I really can't say one way or the other, but I wouldn't change doing my PhD for the world. Will they be paying you? Or is it a self funded one? From your posts it sounds part time? Either way you can always quit.

Good luck!

I double dare you to do it.

Go for it!

Very much, if you don't do it, you'll regret not doing it.

If you do, and after a year it turns out not to be right, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you tried.

Thanks guys. :3

It's full-time and it's paid. And it's accepted!

Between "Argh! What am I DOING?" and "Argh! What am I NOT DOING?", I can't win. I might as well do something productive!

nice one!

Brilliant! Congrats man! You made the right choice!

Can you turn up drunk after your viva in 3 years and vainly ask to be switched to DrD please?

*looks sheepishly at own user name*

Whoo Hoo!

Good work MrD. I wish I had direction in life as well.

Well done, and good luck with it.

Do a PhD!

Nice work, MrD! I'm sure you'll be focused and working apace soon enough.

I am not focused and my working has not become apace soon enough. I have fallen into complete panic. I'm reassured from reading this thread that I was as concerned about my situation then as I am now; I'm somewhat disappointed that I haven't miraculously metaphosed into Super Enthusiastic Research Guy.

Tomorrow, I either kick down the doors and defiantly present my research plan (which I don't currently have), or I simply say 'Unethusiasm on my part and general unpreparedness on your part has caused the situation to become nearly irrecoverable. I've got a headache. This is just going to keep happening.' and I abandon the best chance at the closest thing I have to an ambition.

Never give up mate, FIGHT.

I know the feeling! As soon as I have something resembling an income, I'm starting a research MA for precisely this reason. The only real ambitions I have are academic - I don't think I'll ever figure out what I want to 'do' in terms of a career. Your uncertainty might be a good reason to stick with your PhD, though. You may find purpose and direction as the project unfolds, whereas the psychic price for not trying might be even worse feelings of fecklessness and ennui.

I dunno. I'm in a pretty terrible position to be attempting advice.

BOOTS TO ASSES!

I'm done.

Excellent, can I get a boot up my ass too now please?

Er *ahem*, sorry guys, I didn't mean to sound like the announcer on Mortal Kombat

Glad to hear you're all done, MrD - good luck with the outcome.

Uh, I read 'I'm done' as 'I've jacked it in'. Clarification, MrD?

This.

Oh. I hope not.