My research has been published by the European Commission and I've presented at a few high profile conferences including the European and American Geosciences Conferences. I think this is good for the first year... and yet I don't understand why she isn't encouraging postdoc.

She tells me that doing a postdoc is 'a great privilege' when others have told me everyone does them.
I worry she is getting far more from this transaction than I from her and this will destroy my career. I worked hard this first year.

To be honest, she implies I haven't provided her with enough writing. However, I provided enough work and physical work to pass the upgrade. I also ask her about jobs and she implies I just go to the University jobs center and ask for advice - which I feel is a bit rubbish, especially when I hinted I wanted to do postdoc. She mentions that a postdoc is a great privilege when other people tell me everyone gets a postdoc.
I don't know what to do and am seriously considering transferring university where someone will be able to give me ideas about what I can do.
I worry she is getting more from me than I from her in this transaction.

Hi. I passed my PhD upgrade. My primary supervisor is encouraging but doesn't suggest I go for postdoc. It is a dream of mine, though. If she doesn't seem to encourage me, what should I do? She is suggesting I go into industry. Is it possible to wait until the PhD is over and then look for postdoc opportunities? I just don't want to think all this is hopeless - I want something good to look forward to.

Thanks

The ex-poly is Portsmouth. It isn't a bad place at all.

Thanks so much for the incredible response. I have found it very useful. I'm still very conflicted about this issue. It seems a lot of you feel it doesn't matter that much about the institution so long as the project is excellent. I think one or two did imply that elitism is still rampant in academia and I have felt that occasionally. After I have described my research, people seem to cool down a bit when I tell them about the institution or say 'oh, I don't know about the research at that place'. My dream is to be a leader in my particular field - to publish a book and be internationally recognised... I know I made it harder for myself at an ex-poly. I beat myself up about it a bit because it was within my reach to go anywhere given my results.
I just wish I knew whether to carry on here. It seems there is no clear answer. Perhaps after I pass my first year I can consider transferring, if a different university will have me?

Thanks very much

Hi. I am a humanities student with full funding. I'm not sure I can upgrade but I will find out. I have a project with my supervisors but it isn't particularly strong.
I am not very happy at my university. I am at an ex-poly and I understand it is incredibly difficult to find postdocs or academic positions after finishing. I am also aware my department maybe doesn't have all the connections I need. I'm worried if I complete here people will think the name of the university is a bit of an anomaly given where I received my Masters and it may haunt me.
I received a first for my undergraduate degree and a distinction for my Masters.
I have been potentially offered funding to go elsewhere but I'm not sure what to do. I gather if you complete your PhD at a particular institution, at best, that is the level you will need to stay at for good. You can't go from an ex-poly to a Russell Group? This feels depressing.

I guess I want to know - is there any way of forming a successful academic career with an ex-poly PhD?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks