posted about 4 years ago
I have spent the past 2 years trying to get a PhD position, so I know the frustration very well. I have sent out more than 50 applications - actually, I've lost count...I stopped numbering them after 50.
I too have an M.Sc. from a non-EU university. That is probably a huge disadvantage. But on university websites, I see lots of international students, including those who haven't studied in the EU, and I wonder what the hell I am doing wrong. I have no idea what is going on...
You are lucky you have a job. I have the same luck with employment. All rejections.
I have thought many times to quit trying for PhD, but teaching and research is what I love to do. I really don't care much about the salary as long as it is enough to live. What I like is the challenge of understanding and coming up with easy ways to put difficult ideas into people's head; and sharing something immensely beautiful and amazing about the world around us.
If you can put PhD aside and continue with your job and gain satisfaction out of it, then its great and wonderful, and it is something that you should do.
But, if you feel that it is your calling in life (as I do) - then at the end of the day, you don't really have a choice. You HAVE to keep trying.