Hi guys,

i hope everyone is doing great. It has been 2 weeks since I had dropped out of PhD. And I am happy to have gotten some good job offers. I am currently at a stage where I am planning what I should say if asked why I had dropped out of PhD. For those of you who did not know, I had gotten medically depressed as a result of several factors - toxic lab environment, lack of guidance etc.

In my resume, I had vaguely stated that i was a 'research scientist' for the past 2 years without going into the fact that i was a PhD student. But then, they asked for my recent payslip - which is a problem because stipend is not exactly a 'salary'. So I realise there is no other way than to mention that I had gone through training as a PhD student. And I did tell them this extra bit of information by email and the HR just mentioned that I leave that document out and submit the rest.

Now, i am pretty sure i will be asked during the interview why i had left my PhD program. To state medical depression would be a no-no as that would disqualify me for the job - this is how things work in singapore. I dont think I had the mental illness record in the public domain either so i was thinking of giving another reason. Maybe stating that I had lost interest in scientific research work. This would be a good reason for other non-science related jobs that i had applied for but for this specific job, which involves research work, it is not entirely a good reason to give. To state financial reasons would also be a weak reason for dropping out as i was paid quite a good stipend during my studies. I had thought about saying wanting a more work-life balance sort of job which would be understandable as it is known that PhD students work even on weekends. But i fear they might think i am unsuitable for this job if it indeed requires commitment.

What reasons do people give for dropping out during job interviews which does not harm their chances of getting the job?

I have finally spoken to my supervisor about desire to withdraw from a fully funded PhD scholarship. My reason is depression. I sneaked in a question if i will maade to pay back the stipend and tuition fees so far (120k). She said that for medical and health reasons, it will likely be possible to appeal for a full waiver. But since shes the chair of graduate education as well as my supervisor, she has her own interest as well. So she ttied to make me consider taking a semester leave of absence. Deep down i immediately did not want this as i have already made up my mind of quitting (im seriously done with this!) but to be polite i told her i will consider this.

On that day itself, i got a medical note from a general practitioner diagnosing me as depressed and i have made appointment to see a specialist doctor.

Today, my supervisor sent me an email asking how are things. So i dropped the ball and sent in the letter to request for withdrawal, along with doctor's memo. I also cc-ed the email to a professor that is of a higher appointment then her just in case she has her own interest.

My question is, can the school carry out plans to make sure that perhaps i take a leave of absence and then make a decision? I just want this part of my life to be over and done with. Any advise is much welcome!

Im getting very anxious over the entire thing. Today is saturday, and on monday i will be telling my advisor of my decision to quit. It will seem like its a sudden decision from me as i am good at keeping my problems under wraps (poker face). But the truth is i am overwhelmed and am no longer enjoying my work.

And it may anger my prof as my project is something that i came up with. That is nobody in the lab has the expertise to carry out my set of experiments. Thus continuing on the project after my withdrawal will be a hard thing to do.

Has anyone here gone through the process of quitting a graduate program before? How did you do it?

Im left wondering for my case as well. I wrote in an enquiry to the school regarding this same issue and here is their reply,

''if the student voluntarily withdraws, the student is required to pay the total enoluments up to the total amount received. Unless for special reasons such as health, family, financial etc'

this sounds very vague. and im curious to know how the school will go about chasing the stipend money as stipend is not technically a bond.

Hi guys

hope you are all doing well.

I am 1.5 years into my PhD and just recently passed my QE confirming my candidacy. But I would like to know in terms of worst case scenario, what happens if someone fails a PhD? Like the exam at the end of the 4 years. I am under a scholarship. What will happen if somehow i have nothing significant to show after 4 years and during the oral defense, i failed it? Will they 'force' me into extending my stay until i get a phd or in other case will they just fail to award me a degree? For the latter, if that happens do i need to repay back the stipend i have been receiving?

hi i am feeling kind of down. Recently i requested a discussion with my supervisor on future investigations with regards to my project. She gave sound advise (basically a green light) on my first proposal but when i shifted the discussion to a second one, she gave out a huge sigh which is something you would hear from someone annoyed at you.

Then she started questioning me on my choice of method for the second proposal, before shooting it down as something that is not very useful - with a harsh tone. This despite the fact that she does not know anything about this method (its a very well established method published in papers, and used by many researchers in my institute). Am i over-interpreting this or is the relation with advisor not very healthy?

Motivation is really an individual thing. The fear of failure or not being able to present substantial data on my thesis defence day is enough to get me all anxious. But after some time, i am able to direct that energy into meticulous planning and execution of my lab work. Im in year two now, and the first year was hard not so much about finding my feet, but my labmates are horrible people to work with. So i get how you feel about the lonely part. My advise to you is interact with people in other labs/offices. At least have a working relationship with them. Being friends on a personal level is just a bonus.

As for friends outside the institution it is a must because you need a shoulder to cry on from time to time. Get in touch with your family, for they are the most important people in your life.

Pm me if you need someone to talk to. Itd be great to know somebody outside of singapore.

hi guys

i was wondering if this feeling is common. I recently finished my qualifying exam report. Before having it submitted to the school department, we usually let our guide read and give comments on it, and make changes should there be any. Before submitting this report to my guide, i had let one postdoc read it, and he says it fine and good enough without problems. But the feedback i got from my guide is laden with so much comments. Like sentence structure, writing sentences in a way that is acceptable in report, not being too convoluted in my writing etc. this imposter syndrome is strong at the moment but it comes and go. There are days when i feel that im doing ok, but days like kind of make me doubt myself. I feel like there is a lot for me to improve on before being 'graduate-ready' level.

I dont know if anyone of you had ever been in a toxic lab environment but i have been been through this for 1.5 years already and its affecting my mental state

Im in a country where chinese people predominate. While minorities like indians and malays form just a tiny fraction of the population. Racial prejudice do happen on a daily basis and its tolerable. But in this lab, privilege can mean a lot. Theres only two minorities in my lab including me but the other one is leaving soon which only leaves me there.

These people form social enclaves, speaking in their native language, excluding us from lunch. When we make mistakes, it will be blown way out of proportion. While if one of them makes a mistake, nobody bats an eyelid.

There are numerous occasions when the other minority was presenting data, these people would look at each other and laugh. That incident was worst because at one point the other minority pointed this out to the prof at that exact moment. But those girls started tearing up and play victim.

Its horrible. And i have nobody to learn from in my lab apart from the other minority. I have highligjted this to my prof and she tried talking to the group but things still happen. And after numerous complains, my prof came to the conclusion that i should stop complaining and try make matters better. Id probably used my last trumpt card for this one.

So four months passed by and i just did my thing. Until today. The cell incubator was beeping and i didnt know why so i approached one of the members and asked why isit beeping. I need to tell u this.

And you know what happened? They got upset because i shouldnt only tell them about the beeping but ALSO offer my service to go down and bring up a new co2 tank to replace the empty one. Problem is i wasnt even aware beeping is caused by low co2.

My intention is good but they seem to make a meal out of it.

Any suggestions on what to do? I cant change labs because im 1.5 yrs into my phd already and it will be hard for another supervisor to take me. Ive even thoughy about doing a night shift as i can work all alone in the lab.

glad i am of help tudor. i just realised i had accidentally provided which institution i belong to. LOL. is there any way i can edit my previous posts.