Hey Uttara just wanted to see how you're getting on with the corrections? I'm also revising a publication I've submitted and am close to finishing the revisions before sending them to the journal's editor. Be + and stay motivated (advice for both of us :))

Don't know about this programme but Boconni is a good university by European standards (i.e. it ranks well amongst European unis especially in Economics). You're like me you don't like finance/IB/consulting but are you planning to start a business in high-fashion industry or just work for a retail company, and what kind of job would you be looking at in this retail company? If you were going to start your business I would've certainly suggested doing an MBA as opposed to MSc Economics and management in arts etc... Did you read the prospectus on the course?

Ok sounds good- then slightly alter the focus of your PhD to accommodate for elements/topics in civil engineering. As I said I'm no expert so can't help much but sounds like you can perhaps do one or two chapters that link civil engineering advances/latest issues that interest you with the wider topic you're investigating. Of course you need to inform your supervisor but if it's what you want to do I doubt he/she will give you any trouble. In my case, I only did a minor change to my topic to make it more interesting given the geopolitical situation in the world today, and my sup agreed.

It's important to have an idea what your PhD will be about (discipline, field,etc...). You can do minor changes once you're in the programme but for the purpose of the PhD application, you need to show that you have an idea what you're going to do.

1. Make a list of departments you're considering and look at their faculty interests
2. Once you got a good list, see if you can introduce something novel to any of their current research work
3. Get in touch with a few of the faculties (they may not respond though). Otherwise if possible, pop in the uni during their office hours and talk to them.
4. NEVER ask the professor for a proposal or ideas lol- he/she'll think you're a troll. The point is you go there, you show interest in the field, you know the topic, and simply need to verify that they would be interested.

Hope this brief guide helps.

Hey Satchi
Join the club :( I just finished my PhD and although I'm getting teaching experience in Canada it's part-time and pays barely anything!!! On top of that, I've been applying for jobs back in the UK and here in Canada and am shocked at how competitive it is. At the moment, I'm focusing more on publications and am writing a book (and co-authoring a paper with someone): I think that's the best thing to do for the next 6-12 months as I don't see the job market improving even one bit.

Just to give you an idea, the Ministry of Finance here in Ontario need PhD-educated economists: 300 people applied for 1 position!!! Now, as previous posters said, connections play a big role (unfortunately I don't have a strong network in that respect). But it's safe to say the chances of me getting it are slim, and I have a PhD from a top uni, speak several languages, worked for four years in the City as an economist, have a publication close to acceptance, and am in the process of writing a book.

It's demoralising to say the least and recently it's been affecting my teaching (even my students notice) and just generally my mood has not been great. As you've been in this situation longer than myself, any tips you can perhaps give me to go thru life without despair?

Hi mocktortoise,

I'm so sorry to hear of the verdict. In my case I was grilled for 2.5 hours (the internal didn't like my argument and neither did the external) but to my shock they passed me with minor corrections. In your case, I think you should appeal: if they did not ask you about where you see the project in the future, how can they possibly use that to determine the outcome (whether pass or fail)?? It defies logic.

I'm just curious in the viva (which is long as I can tell) did you discuss what makes your work unique?? That was the first question they asked me. What did you discuss if you don't mind me asking? Also I'm assuming if you had a theoretical framework on which to base your research then surely you can identify the original contribution?

DrStrangelove is right: if you consider you presented originality then appeal. In fact, I'd say appeal on the basis of my 1st paragraph- it may take a while but it's surely better than just leaving it at that and getting the MPhil. I have a colleague who failed his viva but apparently it only lasted 30 minutes and they made it clear that they did not like it (he was told that this is 'unworthy material', which is harsh). Your situation is uncommon and calls for action in my view.

Hi Uttara,
Did you get a revise and resubmit or a pass with 6-months corrections?

I got a pass with minor corrections and while my corrections have been approved recently, I had a rough time getting my internal to look at them and approve them. To get this correction perfect, the best way is to FOLLOW EACH AND EVERY POINT raised by the examiners in the Joint Report. Don't go for partial solutions: if they say delete a comma in page X, do it. Once you're done, make sure you document the changes you made in the thesis itself (using margins and insert comments) and write a separate report outlining exactly how you addressed each of the points raised in the Joint Report. Once you do this, you are guaranteed to go thru with it without problems.

As for the motivation. I went through a similar scenario: passing with minor corrections felt like an anti-climax. My examiners congratulated me, as did my supervisor, the department secretary, and my friends and PhD candidate colleagues. But I felt like I still didn't really pass (even though I still remember the letter from my uni congratulating me on the "conditional approval" to the degree). To motivate yourself, just remember that in the end, you'll be a doctor in your field, you can get to take some time off if you can (without thinking so much about the next step), and that you're 90% there already,and that some changes are so easy. I say focus on the "more difficult" changes first and get them out of the way (how many changes do u have btw?) That helped me: I had 2 content changes (very minor though based on extra reading which I already had but didn't include) and 4 were grammar/tone changes. so I started with the 2 first.

Hope that helps- if you need any help PM me as well as I've been there and know what it feels like.

All the guys here posted some fantastic suggestions but in ur case u say that u don't like the subject/field. This is an issue- from my experience anyone who doesn't like their PhD topic is unlikely to do well. First look at what it is that you don't like about your topic, and then see if you can pursue perhaps a different angle/ add something to make more interesting (a comparative study or another experiment etc...) Sorry I work in the social sciences so can't really help when it comes to mech engineering.

Know that you're not alone like ppl said and Mackem_Beefy gave you some great possibilities. I think before deciding on an option, however, try to recapture interest in your topic as that is key.