Overview of eng77 on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of eng77

Signup date: 08 Jan 2017 at 6:11pm

Last login: 24 Feb 2024 at 6:19pm

Post count: 385

Recent Posts

Typos in corrected thesis

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From littlebirdsaved:
Hello, a week ago I've submitted my MA by Research thesis corrected after Pass with minor corrections.
I've just noticed 2 small typos in my abstract and I'm stressing out they would fail me. Is it possible?
One of the typos is uncapitalized word in a book title, while the other one is just a misspelled word.
Am I going crazy?

Just forget about them. it is more likely they will not read it again. They will read the correction part. If they found them, it is not your fault they have not spotted them at first instance. They might ask you to correct them before submitting to the university library. No need to worry.

Job search after PhD viva

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From dotdottung:
Thanks for your reply, eng77. I am actually in the field of English language education. It is not easy for me to find corporate positions. Except for teaching positions, i could only find jobs related to English language education such as editors. But I am afraid that companies will 'throw away' my application letters when they see I have a PhD degree.

Having a PhD does not look overqualified now as used to be earlier. I see many jobs now require Master or PhD and not a Bachelor. You can just apply without prior assumption and see what comes out.

Job search after PhD viva

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Are there other opportunities outside teaching in your field? Industry, clinical work, lab, private sector corporates, consultancy?
I think working in corporates would do better than high school teaching.

Can corrections fail?

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From minirisks:
I survived my 5 hour PhD viva (a nightmare) last November. I almost thought I would fail, but luckily the outcome was "pass with minor corrections." Then I received the joint report from the examiners. Some of the comments were vague and unhelpful. I worked with my supervisor to create a list of corrections and revised the thesis accordingly. I have not heard anything from the examiners after I submitted the corrected thesis. I sent them a follow-up email today, and they told me they did not have time to read the thesis yet. They also told me if they were not satisfied with my corrections, they would fail me outright.

I already emailed the PhD committee for clarification. I am quite anxious now. Does anyone encounter the similar scenario?

It is very rare I would say. This part is somehow not well defined. It is uncommon that examiners send student feedback in case of minor corrections to request further corrections or to say they are satisfied. What usually happens is if you have gone through them with supervisors and tried your best to address them, is they send green light to faculty that you have passed. It is assumed that in most cases that the student addresses the corrections and no further discussion is needed.
Do not push them or write them again. Just wait a while and contact the faculty to ask.

How to make PhD Institution Choice

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From waitinggame:
Getting accepted without funding is nothing?!? All my supervisors started their phds with no funding and then got it after. The fact op got funding elsewhere shows their project is fundable and will likely be offered the money if they go to the uni they love for a year and make a new application. Don’t spread nonsense please. Do what you feel op.

I have the right to say my opinion. I do not call your opinion nonsense but I respect it.
I do not want OP to have unrealistic expectations. Again, PhD is all about funding.

How to make PhD Institution Choice

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Hi. Choose the funded PhD. Getting accepted without a fund is nothing. If you struggle financially, you will not feel the excitement of the project nor the brilliance of the supervisor. Even funded PhD students do not have a great financial status during PhD. So what about self funded? Be realistic and go for the funded one.

PhD or Master?

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From Laura_00:
Hi,
I'm currently studying Biotechnology in Italy and I am starting to think about what's best for my future.
I'd like to continue my studies in cancer biology, but I don't know wheter it's possible with a degree in Biotechnology (specialized in medical biotechnology).
If possible, should I apply for a master or a PhD?

Although I am in a totally different field but I would answer from the perspective of my field. Master gives you solid theoretical background in the subject and might qualify you to answer technical questions in early (junior) interviews. If you have a PhD, you would acquire deep knowledge in a particular subject but might lack the necessary general knowledge in the field. On the other hand, if you publish, this will be an asset in your application. Be aware that PhD is a long journey. If you are not very passionate and dedicated to it, it might be harmful. However, getting a bad or moderate grade in Master will not sound very well.
From my not very great PhD experience, I would recommend to do a Master and if you like research you can pursue a PhD after that.

Am I qualified and not too old?

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

I read of several instances where people older than you have successful completed a university degree. I would write a cover letter explaining the motivation and the potential to pursue a Master degree.
I wish you good luck.

Major corrections as R&R

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From Phd20sb:
Update after 6 daunting months I passed and am officially a Doctor!!

Yes my viva and the post viva months were extremely tough , Yes the examiners were biased, Yes my ego was badly hurt during this journey but in the end I passed and this is what matters the most.

Thanks for everyone one who tried to support me in this forum and to those who are struggling, keep fighting and with determination you are going to get there.

Congratulations. Happy to hear this. This is all what matters. You got your PhD and all bad experience/biasing/misconduct you will forget. I prefer leaving with a PhD than spending a decade to prove I was not treated fairly.
Congratulations again. You deserve it.

Anxiety

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From Mademoisella:
Thank you for you response, eng77.

I really hope my original message doesn’t come across as ungrateful or complaining. I am so happy for this opportunity.
At the same time, I just don’t feel good enough and wondered really if anyone else had felt this way and went on to have a great experience, or if these thoughts continued to plague throughout.

I’m not afraid of hard work though, so you’re right - hopefully digging in at 100% will help me shift some anxiety. You can’t feel anxious if you don’t have time for such thoughts.

:)

Take care,

M

Your message reveals the normal anxiety before starting something big. PhD is something that you should worry about. Try to balance between worrying too much or thinking it is a normal 9:00 to 5:00 work. Most PhD students graduate with a PhD (although I have not) with a bit of hard work, good organisation, and "not bad" supervision.

Anxiety

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From Mademoisella:
Hello everyone,

I guess I’m just looking for a little bit of advice.
I have just accepted an unconditional offer for a fully funded studentship looking into a rare group of blood cancers, which is due to start in October.
I couldn’t eat or sleep when preparing for the interview as I really put all of my hopes on this studentship. I couldn’t eat or sleep after the interview waiting for an answer either way also. But ever since I was offered this position, I have been suffering from what I can only describe as Imposter Syndrome. I’m afraid that I’m not good enough.
My anxiety has just peaked however, as my future supervisor has sent me the preliminary study protocol. This is a massive multi-disciplinary study involving multiple institutions.
I’m really afraid. How can I tell if I’ll be up to it? How do I know if I’m good enough?

Thank you all for giving me your time in reading this.

M

Hello. All these feelings are normal. You have been accepted for this PhD. Just concentrate and follow the normal advices like organisation and hard work. Good luck.

What should I do?

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From Ashwat2100:
Hey, I was planning to pursue master's in computer science mostly in 2022 , but there's a problem, after tons of research I came to know the universities(mostly Canadian) I am planning to apply requires a supervisor to get the admit (Also confirmed this by contacting already studying students from my country through LinkedIn and yocket.) Now the thing is in these 4 years of my bachelor's in computer science, I never learnt a new trending technology nor it was included in my curriculum like ML , CLOUD ETC ETC.(I belong to a not so famous Indian University).I just know HTML,CSS,JS,REACT and few designing tools ( not a graphic designer) but I want to pursue master's in ML , HCI OR Networking (had networking in my curriculum but it was way outdated. ). How should I approach a supervisor provided I have 0 experience in the above listed tech and research in them OR in general 0 experience in research.

You can start using available online courses in the trend technologies. There are plenty either free or paid online courses. Then you can approach potential supervisors stating your interest. It is not necessary that you have experience to be admitted to a program. Experience is one player in the game but two more players exist; the first is your interest and potential and the second is funding. I assume if target Canadian universities that you are a self funded student which is an advantage.

Leaving my PhD in case I find a job.

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From key_nothing_10:
Thanks for the answer!

This is good. As a said above, I am concerned about the bureaucracies and other obstacles that could slow the process.
A company offers me a job position and let's say I accept it. But I will have to leave my PhD first I think and if this takes more than a couple of weeks, I risk losing the job and also the PhD.

Thanks.

A couple of weeks is nothing for a company. if it is 2 months or more, you should worry. You can start immediately and no one in university really cares.

Leaving my PhD in case I find a job.

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

I do not think there is something to worry regarding notice period. Just make the best for yourself and the university (supervisors) have enough resources financially and human to compensate the loss of a leaving PhD student.

PhD university ranking or supervisor fit?

eng77 385 posts
3 years ago

Quote From rewt:
I would disagree. I know several PhD students that have been offered post doc roles at other unis based off the supervisor introductions or recommendations. You are right that publications are all what matter for a full-time academic job, but for post-doc roles there is a huge amount of favouritism.

Interesting to know. I thought from my circle that PhD graduates have good chances of securing a Postdoc with their supervisors but did not know that there are available roles in other institutions that are not advertised and could be secured through connections.
For a permanent academic position, the Postdoc role seems the first step and it can help to publish more if publications during PhD were not that great. So connections will definitely help provided a good relationship with supervisor exists.