Considering a Doctorate?

What is a PhD?

Any degree that confers a doctoral degree is known as a doctorate. You must perform sophisticated work that significantly advances knowledge in your profession to be eligible for one. By doing this, you gain the title "Doctor" and, therefore, the name.

To earn a PhD, students often do independent, significant, original research in a given area before creating a thesis worthy of publishing. Even though some doctorates involve taught courses, PhD candidates are virtually always evaluated on the calibre and novelty of the thesis they submit in their independent research project.

So, what distinguishes a PhD from a doctorate?

One kind of doctorate is a PhD. The PhD is the most popular doctoral degree. It is given out on practically all topics at institutions around the world. Other doctorates are typically more specialised or for more real-world, work-related undertakings. All doctorates are doctorates, but not all PhDs are doctorates.

Who is a PhD for?

A PhD is demanding and difficult in its own right. After earning your undergraduate degree, it takes at least three years of taxing effort and dedication as well as a masters degree.During those years, you'll need to provide for yourself, and even while you'll be developing an outstanding set of talents, you won't necessarily be moving up the job ladder.A PhD, however, is also incredibly gratifying. This is your chance to truly advance human understanding and to create original research that other scientists can (and will) build upon in the future. No PhD is useless , regardless of how esoteric your subject may seem. This is because of the professional development many institutions put into their doctoral students. Another accomplishment to feel quite proud of is a PhD. At this level, a minuscule minority of students continue on to further study. After receiving your PhD, you will have an impressive degree and a title to match. Additionally, non-academic careers and professions are beginning to acknowledge the special abilities and experience that a PhD delivers.

Who funds a PhD?

This can be research institutions or government bodies who pay the team or researcher to investigate the research area. The UK has the UKRI but different countries will have their own examples of these funders. If your applying for student finance (a doctoral loan) you are able to take out upto £27,892 but this is for the duration of your PhD not yearly. These are just two examples of funding streams which I will cover in a more detailed specific article in the upcoming weeks.

So let me help you decide whether to embark on your doctoral journey.

Further reading:

https://www.findaphd.com/guides/phd-funding-guide

Or listening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-6sCmIgxZU

Your Career Post Covid

The job market in some fields has never been tougher as it will for those facing the ramifications of Covid-19. Now the virus has severely damaged some key industries there are some which we will see a bounce back with a leaner model but others may now stop altogether as Covid-19 is another nail in the coffin. Now the industries which come to mind are large high street stores which have been declining in the wake of the online revolution. Now as I have touched on before in other blogs, not all high streets will suffer like this but many chains will, as what they offer is not different enough from the online stores or competitors. Looking at businesses like Gymshark, which recently became a billion-pound company or companies like the dollar shave club. Now whilst sectors like hospitality, travel and tourism, events and experiences are likely to bounce back this article is about what to do in the interim. Many companies have seen surges in demand during the pandemic supermarkets, local high street stores, agriculture and horticulture to name but a few. For your career to bounce back you need to think about your experiences and qualifications critically. What can you offer to a new industry or sector? Transferable skills the traits and career skills which can be applied either directly or indirectly to a new market. For example, if you are experienced in hospitality rely on these skills and apply it to client care. With you having experiences of helping clients become satisfied with products you have provided or applying soft skills like diffusing tension and conflict resolution you skills necessary to develop into other fields. So rethink what your strengths are, evaluate your knowledge, thinking what could be useful for other markets. Now whether your newly emerging into the field or you are being flung back into it, this is the ideal time to update, spruce up and reinvent your branding portfolio. Look at the new styles of CV writing what is the market looking for, what skills should you highlight, how should you present this. This is an area which we can help you to address or there are other services and providers to support you. Look at your personal statement and cover letters how far have you come since the last version of this document was sent out. What are you interested in now how has the lockdown changed your ethos do you need to add to your LinkedIn share your thoughts, challenges and interests build your tribe. Use this tribe to help you find your next chapter and opportunity for growth. Make your the branding reflect what you are aiming to achieve across all of the platforms. Have you come to the realisation that you want to be your own boss, have you noticed something that other people haven’t during the lockdown. If this is something you have mulled over and debated before it might seem like the worst time to start out but if you can provide something different, something new and safe this is when you should take the chance. The perspective you have gained from the pandemic is likely to be built into your business plan and design so why shouldn’t you go for it. You might be thinking well there is a recession but this is unlike the financial crisis. This is not a crisis that has hit every industry many are thriving as a result it is having a disproportionate impact on some and not others. If you think you can offer a nee perspective or idea then pursue it. Finally, if these options are not for you then head back to school and university think of something that you need to be back and better then ever when your industry remerges. Remember though you want this as a safeguard make sure you pursue a more future proof qualification something which enhances your current portfolio but also gives you a value-added skill.

https://ipa.co.uk/initiatives/post-covid-19-careers