Graduate Prospects - April 16, 2008 - (Page 13)

www.prospects.ac.uk Issue 65 · 16 April 2008 · Fortnightly PROSPECTS GRADUATE 13 POSTGRAD BLOGGER ‘Giving up completely has never been an option I’d view it as chickening out.’ GRAHAM FOSTER ON RESEARCH AND FAILURE very structured and a PhD is mostly selfdirected, thus it has taught me how to motivate myself and direct my own studies. A PhD generally teaches you how to be an effective researcher: this includes learning about research techniques and methods, objectivity, reflexivity and openness. In addition, it has taught me how to focus and it has improved my writing and analytical skills. As a postgraduate you are treated as a member of staff, your study is self-directed and you are expected to be quite independent. You are also invited to take teaching courses and give presentations and seminars about your work. OPPORTUNITIES My own research is looking at renewable energy policy. It has given me a chance to take an in-depth look at the area and (hopefully) I am also developing a high level of expertise. I have attended many conferences which have generated lots of GREEN POSTGRAD STUDY CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING contacts in the industry, setting me in good stead for my empirical research and future job AFTER THREE YEARS IN THE MUSIC place on the MSc at Plymouth. opportunities. INDUSTRY, SALLY MURRALL (ABOVE) DECIDED Having completed my MSc, I had a lot of To an extent a PhD is wonderfully selfTO GO TRAVELLING. IT WAS DURING THIS TIME options but I decided to stay on and complete indulgent. If there is an area you are really SHE DISCOVERED A NEW PURPOSE IN HER a PhD in Renewable Energy Policy. The interested in (like renewable energy for me) it LIFE – HELPING PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT University was a great place to study. gives you the chance to become an expert. On – AND SO SHE RETURNED TO THE UK TO MAKE the down side it is very demanding, requires a A START BY ENROLLING ON AN MSC IN SELF-FUNDED I am self-funding my PhD, lot of dedication and can be quite lonely SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL working as a teacher at the University. I work sometimes. MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF as a consultant in the Centre for Sustainable That said, a PhD gives you plenty of career PLYMOUTH. Futures. I work on a specific project that options, as employers in many fields take it as a sign of capability. Essentially, a PhD I travelled to South America, Australia, New demands around four weeks a year, but I can spread this out over the year. demonstrates your ability to research, assess Zealand, Fiji and the Far East, which was The flexible hours are very handy. I am also and then report on a topic at a high level. when I witnessed first hand how the changes the chair of the ‘Climate Society’ at the I fully intend to put my new knowledge into to the environment are affecting the world. This was when I realised what I wanted to do University, so I am rather busy. However, one practice in the field of renewables, whether with my life. When all my friends were on the thing I have learned through the PhD is good through becoming a consultant, setting up my time management. In fact, the University of own business or working for government. I beach in Thailand, I was in an internet café Plymouth offers many courses on skills want to work in community renewable, researching my options. I started looking at creating low carbon infrastructure through courses relating to environmental change and development which are run by the Postgraduate Centre, which are really useful. renewable energy. I also want to encourage sustainability. My PhD is so unlike my first degree. My corporate social responsibility and social When I returned to the UK, I volunteered equity, building renewable energy projects in as a climate change campaigner for Friends of first degree was very broad and a PhD is socially deprived areas. the Earth in Birmingham before taking up a extremely focused. My first degree was also RENEWED ENERGY INFORMATION AND ADVICE www.prospects.ac.uk/findcourses www.prospects.ac.uk/links/fundstudy LATEST POSTGRAD COURSE OPPORTUNITIES www.prospects.ac.uk/links/latestcourses SEARCH THE POSTGRAD DATABASE POSTGRAD FUNDING FACTS SEND YOUR VIEWS, SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS editorial@prospects.ac.uk http://www.prospects.ac.uk http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Feature_Articles/Feature_articles_2008/PhD_blog__11/p!ebXfckm http://www.prospects.ac.uk/findcourses http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/fundstudy http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/latestcourses

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Graduate Prospects - April 16, 2008

Editorial - In the Money Editorial - Do Gap Years Help or Hinder Editorial - Job Blogs British Medical Association Slush Puppies Research International Russell Finex Ltd Westley Group Graduate Prospects Alexander Lloyd Babcock International Group Sentinel JD Williams & Co Ltd University of Exeter Wellstream International Limited Enterprise Rent-A-Car Matson Driscoll & Damico UK Meta-Morphose PLC Shape Media Editorial - Renewed Energy Royal Mail University of Surrey

Graduate Prospects - April 16, 2008

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