unfortunately these things happen more often than it seems.

i would try not to consider the sigma associated to it. don't quit and get a new supervisor.

i think it is very important not to blame you current boss though: talk to potential supervisors and explain what you are looking for, how you work, the environment you need to work efficiently and the work ethics you have. focus on the fact you and your supervisor have different work ethics, and that will be ok.

======= Date Modified 11 53 2010 00:53:05 =======
Hey all.
I did my undergrad and Master in the Science field, and now I am a PhD student in Engineering. I am expected to finish in a year from now.
Before I started this PhD, I loved research. I had experience in Academy and Industry and loved both. My plan was to get this degree and move on towards some R&D position in Industry or post doc.
The reality is that this PhD did not go as well as I planned. My supervisor and I have different point of views, expertise and methods, which made the association very unproductive and "rough". I have virtually no publication now even if I am working on some, as I have been for almost 4 years lol. I have hated this place and position to a new level and have been thinking every week of quitting for the past 2 years. Not healthy I agree but I did not give up and I am still here. Close from the end. My project is also in a pure scientific point of view not amazing at all. Like NOT AT ALL. Fault of 1/ me cause I trusted my supervisor too much from the start, did not question things enough and realized too late 2/ my supervisor cause he still thinks it is so cool.

This leads me to conclude that I am not competitive on the market anymore, especially because I have seen the competition at conferences and what they do. WOW. They don't joke around. I believe that trying to compete with them is a very stupid move. It seems to me I hate research now. I am not considering a post-doc nor anything that could possibly put me in the same type of situation again. Barely considering looking for jobs.

So I want to change cause ideally, we would all love to do what we enjoy right? And also, if I do hate research now, well I HAVE TO CHANGE. Problem is: I have no clue what I enjoy, I just know what I dislike!

I am right now working for both the LSAT and GMAT. They are appealing: I can work in the same field but in a different and non scientific / technical position! I have no clue if I could be a good lawyer though for example, but at the same time I am trying to open as many doors as I can. But the combination of one of these degrees and a PhD would be interesting.

I have been going through my reasoning cause it's very possible I am completely biased right now. I would like to hear what you guys think cause I am sure other people have been through this. Is this type of move deemed to failure? Can it work? Should I give science another chance? If yes how?

Thanks in advance to all of you!

Cheers