Feeling downhearted about prospects

Savvy_Sue

Xenomorhic wrote:

Without that focus I lost interest in the PhD, not helped by the fact that my supervisor was only intermittedly interested in what I was doing and never returned work to me on time.

Five years on I accepted that that was never going to go anywhere. I'm trying to cut my losses and get out with an Mphil but hey, guess what, my supervisor won't return my work- am still waiting. I feel stuck.

I would get in touch with the postgraduate office and ask what they advise you to do: changing your supervisor might be a good plan, and even if not then someone ought to chivvy him up! It's in the university's interests to do this: as you know they want as many postgrad students as possible to 'complete' within a reasonable time or their record doesn't look good.

Good luck!

Xenomorhic

I spoke to the office and they know the situation. I was so annoyed last week I rang up to log an official complaint. I don't know what they interpreted 'I want to complain about my supervisor' as but I was passed through 3 people and then they tried to put me on to HER!
I told them to give a message that I wanted my work. 1 week later an Email- I'll have your stuff out soon. 2 weeks on here we are again. She's had it since SEPTEMBER! It's like getting blood outta a stone.
She's the only person in the bldg who knows much about what I'm doing- I did have another supervisor for a short time but they had to admit they were clueless and dropped out. Stuck with it. Grizzle. I'll Email again today!

Problem I guess is that I am already beyond a reasonable length of time!

lpoolt

bettingmark wrote:

u probably dont want to disclose your identity, but are u at Q.U.B. doing psychology?? If so, thats where I am and if you need one-to-one bout things I'd be happy to talk. I've enough problems of my own uni-wise to realise that getting them off my chest might not be a bad thing. Also if you haven't done any 'psychology related experience' yet - neither have I yet, but going to start looking at my options more now. If you want to do something similar, it might be good craic to try together to get some psych related work?

Hey, nah I'm up in Magee. I'm in my first year. See none of us have any psychology experience then eh! lol.

I'm trying not to worry about things too much, I'm going to try get some sort of placement or experience either during my second or thrid year hopefully.

melancholly

lpoolt wrote:

I'm trying not to worry about things too much, I'm going to try get some sort of placement or experience either during my second or thrid year hopefully.

a lot of staff in universities take on students to work over the summer doing research - might be worth asking them about it. they would probably take 2nd year students more readily since they'll know a bit more, but asking around early will always give a good impression.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Hello ipoolt,

I still don't know what to do after uni!! I'm thinking either clinical, forensic or teaching. I don't know about anywhere else but in N.I. psychology can act as a base to primary school teaching so that's currently looking one of the best options.

You could pursue any of these work streams in an NHS Mental Health Trust, and you have got something pretty unique - you're a bloke and male clinicians either forensic or not are like hen's teeth. You might get some work experience in a MH trust which at least would give you the opportunity to find out if that kind of work is going to rock your boat or make you feel like running away to sea. Someone's mentioned the armed services - but there's also the police, and all these services are experiencing severe recruitment problems at the moment.
Have you thought about isometric testing yourself? That might throw some light on the way forward. Hope this helps

jamesebaker

I graduated in 2001 from Liverpool University with a degree in Pharmacology.

I feel that I was very lucky being able to land the first job I applied for in the Pharmaceutical Industry. However, this job wasn't really for me so I then went looking for Medical Sales jobs and thats when it became difficult. The competition was fierce and even with 2 and a half years experience in the industry, it still took me 8months to land my first medical sales job. I've now just moved to a new job doing a similar sales role but a bit more challenging and more cash (surprisingly!).

What I would say with regard to whether getting your degree is worth the debt is:

1. If you know what career you want to do and there is a perfect degree for it, whether it be engineering or pop music, then the degree will be the best qualification you can get.

2. If you are unsure with what you want to do after your degree then I would advise choosing a strong traditional degree e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, English etc as these degrees are thought of more highly by employers if your degree is not relevant to the job you're applying for.

3. Choose highly regarded universitys if at all possible e.g. the traditional red brick uni's or uni's that are the leaders in your degrees particular field.

One problem graduates often encounter is employers asking for experience. Its a catch 22, you cant get experience without having experience. Two ways round this. You could volunteer for a few weeks to gain some experience but this is often not practical due to financial issues. Alternatively go to specialist graduate recruitment agencies or to companies specifically recruiting graduates. Many companies don't want graduates with another companies experience, many would prefer to have a blank canvas to work on so they can mould their new employees specifically to their requirements.

If time is short at uni, I would advise against using what little time you have gaining experience, it would be better spent revising so you can get a better degree!

How important is the level of degree?

Some employers specifically ask for 1sts and 2:1's which can be really off putting if you've just got your results and its a 2:2 or 3rd. But this isn't necesarily a hinderance. Many companies want proof that you are intelligent enough to cope with a degree and any degree with Hons is proof of that. Once you've got your first job within your desired industry and you decide to look for another job, most companies won't even care about your degree level, they just focus on your job experience and what skills you can offer them.

By the way, anybody who wants to get into Medical Sales, let me know and I'll put you in touch with some excellent agencies!

girleight@

I'm a recent graduate and I agree that experience is very important. You don't need to do loads of things, just a few clubs or voluntary work that you can big up into leadership experience or working with children etc.

across

dont make the same mistake i did! over ten years ago i got 2:2 bsc(hons) psychology and without experience i can sadly say it really has got me nowhere! i know lots of people in same boat so we must be realistic GET WORK EXPERIENCE as soon as you can! i didnt have the money to do voluntary work and went straight into paid full time work with civil service (job centre) hoping to find a job!!! even in job centre i never found that job!!!!!!!! at the job centre they said once youre in youre here for life!! theyve not been far wrong!! at the moment i'm a stay at home mum on a career break and that is more fun than anything ive done!!! but in the back of my mind i do often feel quite failed because i couldnt afford to do unpaid work at the time and whilst i was a student i also worked part time at the local hosptal to support myself (i must add i only left with a small overdraft so i didnt do bad in the finance dept as a student!!!but my mum also helped me a lot too! no student loans for me but no fancy job to go too either!)so didnt have time then either so if you are going to get on i suggest work experience! hope this helps!! good luck!!
any suggestions on my ordeal would be welcomed where now when ive been out of college for so long!!????

Savvy_Sue

Xenomorhic wrote:

I don't know what they interpreted 'I want to complain about my supervisor' as but I was passed through 3 people and then they tried to put me on to HER!

There should be an 'official' complaints procedure, which if it's not on their website should be available through the Registry, I'd have thought. Making a complaint in writing might be the most effective. But if no-one else has expertise in your area, you are a bit stuffed if you can't find anyone to take you on!

misskool

I agree with a lot of the posters on getting experience but if you're not sure of what you want to do then take a year or two out. DON'T rush into something just for the sake of it. I finished my degree and had no idea what I wanted to do. I travelled for a bit (working menial jobs so it paid for itself, just!) then did a research assistant job for a year. That's how I decided I wanted to do a PhD. Yes, I'm a little bit older than some of the other students and yes, all my friends are earning more money than me. But I'm glad I did what I did.

I'm sure of what I want to do as a career and it doesn't matter that the hours are long, the stipend is 'just' enough to get by.

Xenomorhic-Hope you can get it sorted but an official complaint to the head of the department followed by another one to the division? Maybe even write a letter to the vice-chancellor of the university explaining all the circumstances. If you've kept all the correspondence (emails, letters, etc) attach them to your letters.
Go to the student union and ask the postgrad rep to represent you, surely they can start an official enquiry about your supervisor. And drastically, maybe you can get your student newspaper to do an expose type thing. Be wary that this will get your supervisor's back up and you may not get a letter of reference. Drastic measure!