Hi, thanks for the reply. Although I'm painfully aware of how competitive the job market is, I would probably want to go into academia. My supervisor has spoken to me at length about this career route (having tried to dissuade me from a corporate job after my undergraduate degree!) and this would be a good match with my skill set. Also, I've had several stints working as a researcher for various history projects, led one of my supervisor's classes, and presented my research all of which I really enjoyed.

Hello,

I don't normally post messages online seeking advice but have found contributors on the Postgraduate Forum to be a helpful source of information. I am in a bit of a predicament about my future and wanted to seek some addditinal advice from PhD students after having spoken to family, friends, and my supervisor. I have received a fully funded PhD in History from the University of Cambridge although recently took up a role in diplomatic services. While I realise I do a fascinating job and get insights I would not get elsewhere, I've been constantly thinking about my PhD offer (to start in January or April next year). I never thought I would want to do or be good enough for a PhD but was pleasantly surprised to have received the requisite grades and funding. While I have worked in various roles in the public and private sector, I've never found them satisfying and have thought about pursuing my research in an up and coming area of world history. A bit of background about me: I did my undergraduate degree and Masters (on a scholarship) at Cambridge and am from a 'non-tradional' background.

Any advice or people's experience of doing a PhD in History would be much appreciated. Thank you!