It has now been 3 months since my convocation ceremony, when I talk to my juniors, they're all hyped and excited to graduate. No offense, they would tell me, but I don't fancy continiung study after 4 years of study, they concluded. =) No offense taken. What most would usually regard is that phD is not a work, it is more of a study, like a holiday kinda bond. Well, I wish.
There were several occassions where friends could not understand why I could not be out shopping with them during normal working hours or my dark eye circles after a night of being behind the computer. Well, this is phD. I can hardly classify it as full work, yet I do not have the full freedom of a undergrad student either. I am no longer working for my grads, that is the past. Right now, I am paid to do research within 3 years and am expected to be in my office doing work from 9 to 5. At the end of the period of which, they will determine my qualification. It is much like the process of creditation of any engineers through IEM, IEAU or ICHEME.
After an initial exposure to the engineering world, I discover my idealism of how engineering world works need to be utterly demolish. The engineering world is still quite male dominated. I have been to a training session on modeling with Ansys workbench organised by leap australia and I was the only female. I was also the only female in my research group, although my research group mainly consisted of about 6 - 7 person anyway. =D The fun part is you get to solve the problem, address the issue of your interest using your own way without being cramped by other ppl's ideas really enhances the creativity process. However, at the same time since everything is so unbounded, if you face difficulties, it is hard to look for quality help. Only you can help yourself.
For those who are considering Phd, make sure u consider these criteria/factors before you embark on this journey. Everything has its ups and downs, life has no shortcut, those who take shortcut ends up paying for it in the end.
1. NOT for those who always procrastinate and plagiarise. There is no one's research up for you to plagiarise. If you do, penalty is higher.
2. Check up on the University's resources and support system. Have a chat with past phd grads from the department, do not solely rely on your supervisor's words. Each department have different fundings/support network, so make sure it is well established before you find yourself in a pickle 2 years down the line.
3. Really importantly, Get to KNOW your supervisor. They can make or break you~!
4. Find a topic you are passionate about. Coz frankly, 3 years is a long time and frustration will hit you several times along the way that you feel numb. It is easy to get lost along the way, and in the end it comes down to whether you have a passion for it.
5. Ask yourself whether you need working experience now or refine your research skills now. You will understand this pretty soon.
6. Most importantly, don't take up phD coz u can't find work rite now. Coz unfortunately, after u take up phd, it will further limit your career options. Yes, you will get higher pay the higher qualification you get. But at the same time, not a lot of companies are able to afford you.
