ServDes12 - Question 8: Generals

[Minka Rössner]

How is being a PhD student?

Are there maybe guidelines to follow? 

[Fabian Segelström]

Wow, that's a big question to answer. And there isn't really a single answer neither. I'd say it depends very much on where in the world you do you PhD and also on the department you're in. In some countries being a PhD means living on scholarships whereas in others you have a set salary which you'll good off and have money over.

The one thing I do think of, which seems to be universal for people doing their PhD in emerging fields (like SD) is that it takes passion for what you do. Being a PhD isn't a 9 to 5 job. Sometimes it is a 11-4 job, but more often it is a 9-7 job...

[vanja]

Guidelines is a funny thing. Out of my experience it is to create your own guidelines. This means you need to find first of all the right university and the right supervisor who will help you alongside the PhD time. 

Once you found someone it is possible to create a timeline together and see when to do what in the next 3 to 5 years.  

Before starting the PhD it is sometimes good to meet with other PhD students and create a boot camp where you write your first proposal and have the opportunity to discuss and refine. This is fairly luxury but it will help you to get organised and ready for the upcoming years and your own expectations.

On another note regarding the working hours: This depends on what else you are working on. A lot of people have family, part time work and teaching to juggle with which makes writing a thesis sometimes easier and sometimes harder. Depending on what kind of type you are it helps you stay focused or distracts you even more...