It really does depend on where you work, I have worked for some dreadful companies where I wouldn't have risked bringing up the possibility of maternity. I think with the larger companies, they tend to have a more developed policy, certainly one company I worked for had clear work/life balance policies. I would always look at these before taking up a job. As for marriage, I'm still trying to decide on the Phd, but my husband has been my mental sanity whilst doing a degree; it can work, it can be really stressful, but a relationship forces you to maintain perspective.

continued...

Sylvester, I really did enjoy my dissertation, so many people asked if I was carrying it on and it was so incredibly absorbing, there definately is enough work and motivation to carry it through to a Phd though at the moment, having handed it in I am more exhausted at the moment and sans enthusiasm, I just need a break.

The age thing doesn't worry me so much, it's my husbands happiness I am more worried about, he is a little older, we've been together for 10 years, and we're both desperate for child. I guess I am conscious about making him/us wait longer. But he is so enthusiastic, he says, when will you get another chance like this? Is there a way to have your academic cake and eat it too (buy a small house/have a garden)?

Is it unrealistic to have a Phd finished in 3 years? I have done a lot of the ground work already, it taking longer would depress me.

Well, I am grateful for your answers, I am studying abroad and have no one to discuss this with, so thank you.

Well I like marmite but good analogy, you love it or you hate it. Thanks for the replies, I'm very grateful for the interesting perspectives. Having worked for a long time before the degree, I do miss the money, and web design is a passion as well as a skill I enjoy using and have done for a long time, I had envisaged joining an agency for projects since I'm a project consultant at the moment (self employed), so I worry that my skills my fade a little if I did a Phd. People keep saying to me though 'but you can do web design on the side too' *shrugs* tough one.

Just found this forum, so glad I did as I'm desperate for some advice/persepctives.

I am just completing a BSc and have a telephone interview for a research studentship which is lovely, they liked my idea to continue to study my dissertation topic. It has been incredibly absorbing and I feel there is a lot more research to be done. My department asked me to apply which is incredibly flattering too. Trouble is, I had always seen myself as going into web design full time (as opposed to freelance), I am in the middle of brushing up my cv to send out. I feel like I am at a real crossroads, I went to university late - I'm 26, am married and we had always envisaged starting a family after working again for a couple of years. These plans would have to change, though my husband is incredibly supportive.

I know perhaps people can't advise me on the personal choices, however I feel the career choices are at opposites, one way to design and one possible way to academia. I just don't have a clue what to do, any perspectives would be much appreciated.

Thank you