Postgraduate researcher Alan Dolhasz聽discusses the benefits of doing a part-time PhD, and the surprisingly varied amount of PhD graduate jobs you can expect to apply for when your studies are complete.
Choosing part-time PhD study
鈥淲hen I told people I was studying my PhD part-time, they scoffed and said 鈥榞ood luck with that,鈥欌�� laughs Alan, whose research focuses on, basing him in the University鈥檚聽.
However, electing to embark on his research degree part-time was the perfect choice. 鈥淚 like doing research but I also enjoy the application side of things. Choosing part-time study has enabled me to be active in industry, which in turn has heavily informed my PhD.
鈥淚 guess it really depends on how closely you work with industry 鈥� if you want to stay heavily involved and don鈥檛 mind studying for a little bit longer, a part-time PhD will enable you to apply your research to your career."
Alan stresses it is really down to the individual. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e not sure you want a specific career in academia, and you don鈥檛 want to put the brakes on what job you have currently, then a part-time PhD would be better.鈥�
A real learning curve
Alan advises anyone contemplating a part-time PhD that there are tough times. 鈥淵ou do have to consider the time. There are extended periods where I can really devote time to my PhD, but then there are weeks where it has to take a backseat.鈥�
There鈥檚 also the social aspect. 鈥淥nce you get down to doing it, aside from your supervisor, you are essentially on your own. You have to put yourself through the wringer a bit and it鈥檚 not like an undergraduate degree where you can turn it off for a little while.
鈥淵ou really learn about yourself when you study a PhD.鈥�
What PhD graduate jobs could I get?
When Alan discusses his聽career plans for after graduation,聽it comes as something of a surprise.
鈥淥nce I have completed my PhD, I want to return to industry,鈥� he says.
Alan says PhD study teaches you a host of attributes that will provide you an opportunity in many different industries, meaning academia is just one of many possible paths.
鈥淭he PhD skills you learn are closely connected to industry success 鈥� project management, for example, is a skill that is vital in every company,鈥� he says.
鈥淏eing a logical, rational and clear-thinking individual is a benefit to any industry, and a PhD definitely teaches you those skills.鈥�
A positive research environment
Alan feels that Birmingham City University has given him a tremendous amount of support, guidance and, most importantly, freedom. 鈥淭he Research department here gives you both the space and the tools to grow,鈥� he says.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e let me pursue my research interests and have helped me whenever problems have occurred.聽Working with people that you trust can鈥檛 be beaten.鈥�