To PhD or not to PhD? That is the question

Last summer, I attended a postgraduate research symposium, and hearing about the world of research at an academic level led me to start thinking about my next steps. I am currently in my final year of my BSc and hoping to complete an MSc soon after. After that, there are a fair amount of question marks and tentative ‘maybes’.

I never really thought about pursuing a PhD as I didn’t know what it involves. To gain better insight into my options, I spoke with second-year PhD student Charlotte Gwinnell, who has worked in both academia and industry, with a touch of clinical experience along the way.

The power of your project

‘If there is part of you going: “I am not sure whether this is me” and you’re not 100% certain, I wouldn’t do it.’

Whatever project you pick at PhD level will be pretty advanced compared to undergraduate level. You can take one tiny topic and explore that for months on end. So, you need to pick a project that you genuinely have a passion for.

It is important to know your likes and dislikes and recognise aspects you may not enjoy. That being said, it is hard to find a project where every part is enjoyable, but an open mind is key. When experiments fail, genuine interest in what you do becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity, helping you stay motivated on those longer days.

Taking a break

‘If you step out, you can then really tell if you want to come back.’

The thought of immediately going into a PhD after the pressures of an undergrad and master’s year can sound daunting, and you might just need some time out. Charlotte took a one-year break after her MChem, where she worked at a clinical placement for a few months and went on to travel. Having that break from academia helped redefine her motivations towards a PhD, and she also gained experience along the way.

‘Flitter about until you find out what you actually want to do.’

To make the most of a break, try to gain insight into what interests you, even if it is trying out different roles, before committing to one path.

The inner workings of a PhD

‘You’re not told what you have to learn. You get to learn what you want to learn.’

There is a lot of emphasis on learning within a PhD. Your PhD project is ultimately yours: the way you learn, and how you do it, falls to you. Compared to an industry project, where specific objectives need to be met, a PhD can offer more creative leeway for you to navigate different areas within your field (with the help of your supervisor, of course).

‘A PhD can be considered a balancing act… Nobody is told they have to do these things, you just know they have to get done.’

Although a PhD involves independence, it also relies on communication and self-discipline to ensure other tasks are completed. Implementing good practice helps yourself, as well as others, especially in the lab.

It is not all research. Admin and non-lab activities also play a pivotal part. Being able to collaborate with other research groups can help the lab carry out its research more cohesively, leading to more successful reactions, and hopefully higher yields, for everyone.

Applications and choosing a supervisor

Charlotte described how important the supervisor is. Their expertise, and connections can determine not just how the PhD will go, but the years immediately after. I’ve learnt it is important to look at the supervisor’s track record and where previous students are today.

This highlights the importance of actively taking part, and engaging in discussions, whatever stage of academia you may be at. Asking questions, and regularly catching up, can help keep the conversation ongoing, and you may come to mind for positions which tie in nicely with what you’re looking for.

Key Takeaways 

‘You don’t have to be a certain type of person to do a PhD. Learning and working styles, are different across all students. You don’t have to give up everything else in your life to do a PhD.’ 

One common misconception is that you lose your life to research when doing a PhD. This is not true. While it does take self-discipline, and you can easily get lost in your work, it is important to take that step back and say ‘no’. 

Going to that regular yoga class, meeting up with a friend or speaking to someone who has no idea what a polymer or a catalyst is, can mean more than you think. While your research may consume your time, it should not consume you.