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grinch525 · 11-26-2006, 10:34 PM

Hi everybody,

This is my first post, but I have been browsing the boards over the last little while. I am a Canadian who has just finished a Masters Degree from a Canadian school. I'm debating whether or not to continue on with the PhD program.

Before entering my M.A. program, I didn't even have a PhD on the radar screen. But, I did well in the program, my Professors think that I have potential, and I like doing research. But, I'm not entirely convinced that doing a PhD is right for me.

My concerns are three-fold:

(1) I am a bit unnerved by the fact that my MA Supervisor and other Professors keep pushing the issue. My Supervisor still emails me even though I'm done my degree which I find weird. I've tried to distance myself from him/her in order to make my own name for myself, and learn things from other people. But, I'm told this attitude is a poor one to have going into a PhD Program.

Will I have to "put" up with these people for life? My main concern is entering into a program where I initially like my supervisor, then get fed up with him/her, and then being left nowhere. I mean you can't know your Supervisor that well before selecting him/her. How do you know who to choose? How do you not get fed up of him/her?

(2) I can't see myself becoming an academic. First off, I don't have the patience to deal with the politics behind academia. Second, from what I've seen, I'm not sure it's an environment that I would enjoy being part of.

From what I'm told, don't enter a phd unless you want to be an academic. Do you guys concur?

(3) I have no idea what topic to pursue. I've looked at potential supervisors but no one does what I like. For those already enroled in PhD programs, have you compromised what you wanted to do for your thesis? If you have no clue, will your Supervisor suggest something?

Overall, I think the PhD will be a good learning opportunity for me. But, I am totally freaked about choosing the right Supervisor, the right topic, and not starting something I am not going to finish. I have a lot of "what ifs" going through my head like "What if I'm dumb and fail the exams", "What if I hate my Supervisor".

Do you guys have any advice? Should I apply at all or not? Any thoughts would be great!

11-26-2006, 10:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
grinch525 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1	Need advice...I am confused! Hi everybody, This is my first post, but I have been browsing the boards over the last little while. I am a Canadian who has just finished a Masters Degree from a Canadian school. I'm debating whether or not to continue on with the PhD program. Before entering my M.A. program, I didn't even have a PhD on the radar screen. But, I did well in the program, my Professors think that I have potential, and I like doing research. But, I'm not entirely convinced that doing a PhD is right for me. My concerns are three-fold: (1) I am a bit unnerved by the fact that my MA Supervisor and other Professors keep pushing the issue. My Supervisor still emails me even though I'm done my degree which I find weird. I've tried to distance myself from him/her in order to make my own name for myself, and learn things from other people. But, I'm told this attitude is a poor one to have going into a PhD Program. Will I have to "put" up with these people for life? My main concern is entering into a program where I initially like my supervisor, then get fed up with him/her, and then being left nowhere. I mean you can't know your Supervisor that well before selecting him/her. How do you know who to choose? How do you not get fed up of him/her? (2) I can't see myself becoming an academic. First off, I don't have the patience to deal with the politics behind academia. Second, from what I've seen, I'm not sure it's an environment that I would enjoy being part of. From what I'm told, don't enter a phd unless you want to be an academic. Do you guys concur? (3) I have no idea what topic to pursue. I've looked at potential supervisors but no one does what I like. For those already enroled in PhD programs, have you compromised what you wanted to do for your thesis? If you have no clue, will your Supervisor suggest something? Overall, I think the PhD will be a good learning opportunity for me. But, I am totally freaked about choosing the right Supervisor, the right topic, and not starting something I am not going to finish. I have a lot of "what ifs" going through my head like "What if I'm dumb and fail the exams", "What if I hate my Supervisor". Do you guys have any advice? Should I apply at all or not? Any thoughts would be great!