phd life

The PhD student experience – What is it really like for PhDs?

Are you curious about what it’s really like to be a PhD student, navigating the world of academia and research?

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the lesser-known aspects of the PhD journey, from the profound impact of your supervisor to the competitive environment you’ll face.

Discover the truth about the importance of publishing papers and the realities of funding and job security in academia.

We’ll also give you a glimpse into the daily life of a PhD student, and explore the highs and lows of this challenging yet rewarding experience.

So, buckle up and join us as we uncover the secrets of the PhD student experience that no one else will tell you!

The little known-facts that you need to know about the PhD experience,

This is what no one else will tell you!

What does the daily life of a PhD student look like?

Embarking on a PhD journey can be a thrilling yet demanding experience, as a doctoral student is constantly immersed in:

• academic responsibilities,
• and professional development.

From the early morning, the life of a PhD student begins with checking emails, planning the day, and setting priorities.

A typical day usually involves conducting experiments or research in the laboratory, analyzing data, and reading scientific literature to stay up-to-date with their field.

PhD students often participate in regular meetings with their supervisors, who provide guidance and advice on their research projects.

These meetings are crucial for maintaining momentum and ensuring a productive working relationship.

A typical daily schedule for a PhD student might look like this:

7:00 AM – Wake up, morning routine, breakfast

7:45 AM – Check emails, plan the day, and set priorities

8:30 AM – Arrive at the laboratory, set up experiments or research tasks

9:30 AM – Attend a class or seminar (if applicable)

11:00 AM – Conduct experiments or research in the laboratory

12:30 PM – Lunch break, socialize with fellow graduate students

1:30 PM – Analyze data and read scientific literature relevant to the research project

3:00 PM – Meeting with supervisor to discuss research progress and receive guidance

4:30 PM – Continue working on experiments, data analysis, or literature review

6:00 PM – Dinner break

8:00 PM – Draft or edit thesis, work on conference presentations or publications

10:00 PM – Wind down and engage in a hobby or leisure activity for mental health and work-life balance

11:00 PM – Bedtime routine, sleep

In addition to their primary research, many PhD students assist and mentor undergraduate students, contributing to a diverse and dynamic academic community.

Balancing the demands of coursework, research projects, and administrative responsibilities can make for long working hours, which is why it’s important for doctoral students to maintain their mental health and work-life balance.

Attending conferences, participating in social events, and engaging in professional development opportunities are important aspects of the PhD experience.

Given the commitment and dedication required, full-time PhD students often rely on funded positions to support their education and living expenses.

Despite the inherent difficulties, the experience equips students with a range of new skills and expertise, setting them on a path to contribute significantly to academia and the world beyond.

How stressful is being a PhD student?

Being a PhD student can be quite stressful due to the unique challenges and demands of the program.

It varies from person to person and the supervisor will have a huge impact on how stressful a PhD will be for a student.

Here is a case study of the highs and lows of a PhD from a PhDs student’s perspective:

This PhD student experienced frustration with experiments not working or yielding results, leading to feelings of imposter syndrome and demotivation. A lack of progress was a significant source of stress during this time, as well as comparing oneself to peers who seemed to be achieving more success.

However, there were also numerous highlights throughout the PhD experience. Attending conferences and presenting research offered opportunities to gain feedback, collaborate with others, and even travel. Engaging in scientific discussions and exploring the significance of one’s work provided a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Furthermore, working with cutting-edge equipment, such as advanced microscopes, allowed the student to appreciate the unique and privileged nature of their research.

The pressure to produce significant contributions to one’s field and the uncertainty of achieving results within a limited time frame can induce anxiety.

For instance, many students find themselves constantly juggling various responsibilities, such as conducting experiments, analysing data, attending meetings with their supervisor, and writing their thesis or papers.

Aside from academic pressure, managing work-life balance can be difficult as well. It’s not uncommon for PhD students to work long hours, often sacrificing personal time and relationships.

The lack of a structured schedule and the need for self-motivation can add to the stress and the competitive environment in academia and the constant pursuit of funding can further exacerbate stress levels.

PhD student workloads and holidays

The life of a PhD student is often characterized by heavy workloads and limited opportunities for holidays.

In a typical PhD program, students juggle numerous responsibilities, including research projects, coursework, and professional development activities, such as attending conferences and training.

This is particularly true for funded PhD students, who are expected to adhere to strict timelines set by their supervisors and the university’s academic calendar.

In the science field, the workload can be even more demanding due to the nature of research, which often involves conducting experiments that can take months or years to complete.

This commitment means that even during holidays, PhD students may feel the need to work in order to meet deadlines, leading to burnout and stress.

Later Stage PhD ( Doctorate Candidates )

When PhD students reach the later stages of their doctorate program, they become PhDs preparing to complete their research project and thesis.

This stage comes with an intense academic workload, with high demand for researcher-level skills and scientific knowledge.

A typical day for a PhD at this stage involves conducting research, analysing data, and editing their findings to complete their thesis.

In my experience it is WRITING, WRITING and more WRITING…with a touch of editing.

There are deadlines to meet, and students may face pressure, but the reward of completing a doctorate degree is worth it.

At this point, a PhD is expected to demonstrate their ability to conduct independent research and contribute to their field of study.

The latter stages of the doctorate program offer a rigorous and rewarding challenge for students who want to pursue a career in science, education, and research.

Wrapping up – PhD and Doctoral Student experience

The PhD student experience is a complex and multifaceted journey that offers a unique blend of challenges and triumphs.

As we have explored in this blog, the road to obtaining a PhD is filled with personal growth, professional development, and numerous hurdles to overcome.

But, for those who persevere, the rewards can be immense, leading to a sense of accomplishment, increased expertise, and the potential to make a significant impact in their chosen field.

In navigating this adventure, it is essential for PhD students to maintain a healthy work-life balance and develop strong support networks to help them manage stress and maintain motivation.

The journey may be demanding, but with the right mindset and guidance, the experience can be truly transformative.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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On a roll: Krista Bresock celebrates in her local skate park after graduating with a PhD in mathematics from West Virginia University, Morgantown, aged 41. Credit: Michael Germana

Krista Bresock sat crying in her professor’s office. She had to discuss one of five questions with her professor, in person. It was the concluding step of her final exam in functional analysis, the last course that she needed to complete for her PhD in mathematics. He’d shuffled a set of five cards, and she’d picked Card Number Two — corresponding to the one problem that she had not fully studied.

Unlike her fellow students studying intractable maths problems, Bresock was in her late thirties redoing coursework that she had failed years earlier. As a full-time maths teacher at West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown, she could find time to study only during nights and weekends.

“Problem Number Two was just collateral damage to being able to maintain this life of work full-time and be in grad school full-time,” Bresock remembers. She “fell to her knees” in relief when, a week later, she learnt she’d still got an A- in the course.

Many think of doctoral degrees as the domain of people in their twenties. Yet according to the US National Science Foundation, 17% of people who gained a PhD in science or engineering in the United States in 2022, the most recent year for which figures are available, were aged 36 or older . In some countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Portugal, South Korea, Iceland, Greece and Israel, the median age for entering a doctoral programme is 32 or higher, according to 2017 data from the OECD in Paris 1 .

Resources for mid-career scientists

A PhD requires a vast commitment of time and energy, often lasting five or more years. Stipends, when available, are often lower than salaries for other full-time jobs or professions. What’s more, students might have to move to another city, or even a different country, to attend their chosen course. Although difficult for any age group, those constraints can create different challenges for prospective students in their thirties, forties and beyond than for their younger colleagues.

At the same time, age often brings wisdom and self-confidence, qualities that can help older students to cope with a strenuous academic life. “The extra ten years that I was out doing other things gave me a lot of perspective and maturity to the way in which I think and live, and I think that was a big reason why I’ve succeeded,” says Peter Swanton, a 36-year-old graduate student working towards a doctoral degree in astrophysics at the Australian National University in Canberra.

Motivation is key

For Bresock, a doctoral degree represented “unfinished business”. She had struggled with alcohol and drug addiction from the age of 16, but hit a dangerous low point in early 2013, when she was a graduate student at WVU the first time round. She dropped out and checked herself into an in-patient programme, but still drank heavily afterwards. With the support of friends, family and Alcoholics Anonymous, she became sober in July 2013.

Bresock then taught maths at WVU, first as an adjunct and then as a full-time instructor, but she didn’t forget her incomplete doctorate. Finally, at the age of 37, she re-enrolled. “This little voice was like, ‘You have more to say. You have more to do. You have this thing sitting on the back burner that is kind of eating away at you,’” she says.

Despite her drive to finish the degree, motivating herself was “really hard sometimes”, she says, “because if I didn’t finish, no one would care: I would just not finish and still have this job and be fine.” One of her top tips for others looking to pursue a doctorate in mid-life is to fully understand and reflect on their motivations. If the goal is “more money”, that might not be enough, she says.

Before returning to his studies, Swanton held a variety of jobs, including hauling sugar cane, working in nightclub security and tutoring in secondary schools. He has this advice for anyone who’s considering a doctorate: make sure you’re “doing it because you love it”. For him, that has meant finding ways to combine telescopic investigations of cosmic objects, such as active galactic nuclei, with preserving folklore about the cosmos from the Gamilaraay, the people of his Aboriginal culture.

Peter Swanton, a 36-year-old graduate student in cultural astronomy at the Australian National University in Canberra, says that his previous work experience has given him the maturity to cope with the strains of academic life. Credit: Lannon Harley/ANU

Swanton’s heritage influences both his academic interests and the way in which he wants to communicate them. For example, the Gamilaraay language was originally a purely oral one. So, rather than just writing “a big block of text” for his dissertation, Swanton says that he would like to include elders and community members telling their own stories, and to bridge their knowledge with the Western understanding of the universe.

“My success has come down to finding something I am passionate about, and not concerning myself with future employability, which was the focus of my earlier attempts at academia and ultimately the reason why I didn’t succeed” at the time, he says.

Finding mentors

María Teresa Martínez Trujillo arrived at the Paris Institute of Political Studies to embark on a graduate programme in political science at the age of 32. Having spent her whole life up to that point in Mexico, she felt isolated from her classmates because of linguistic and cultural barriers, in addition to being the oldest student in her cohort. Martínez Trujillo had already had a career in the Mexican government, including working as an adviser to the secretary of the interior, yet she felt “less brave” than younger students, and had many more questions about reading materials.

She also felt ashamed about her lack of fluency in French. Over time, with the help of a therapist, she learnt to be less judgemental of herself and to overcome her impostor syndrome. Classmates helped her to proofread some of her assignments and she focused on improving her language skills.

Cultural and linguistic barriers left María Teresa Martínez Trujillo feeling isolated from her peers when she arrived from Mexico, aged 32, to embark on a graduate programme at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. Credit: Hiram Romero

Martínez Trujillo’s advisers — Hélène Combes and Gilles Favarel-Garrigues — were key for her as she dived into reading and fieldwork on the relationship between drug trafficking and the business world in Morelia, Mexico, for her master’s project. “They let me go to the ‘forest’ and spend time and lose myself,” she says, adding that when she felt lost or stuck, her advisers helped her to find her way.

Time and money

Finances often pose a problem for graduate students who don’t already have savings and support, including those who have worked previously. Even with tuition covered, and a stipend to help towards living expenses, making ends meet can be challenging, especially for students who have other financial responsibilities, such as providing for family members or maintaining a home.

Martínez Trujillo received a stipend, but she spent almost all of it on rent and didn’t want to ask her family for money. She worked as a nanny, consulted for a Mexican think tank and spent summers working in Mexico on friends’ projects. “I’d never have free days,” she says.

Bresock wishes she could have spent more time away from both work and studies. “I did a terrible job of that. Make sure you make time for yourself. That dissertation will still be there, if you go take a walk, or if you go swim or whatever, for an hour out of your life.”

Training: Data Analysis: Planning and Preparing

Like Bresock, Marc Gentile kept a full-time job while doing his PhD in astrophysics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne in his mid-to-late-fortiess. He needed to earn enough to support both himself and his wife, and to address other financial responsibilities.

“The top advice would be establishing effective work and study habits right from the start,” he says. “In my case, time was the most precious resource, and I had to be very well organized to make the most of it.”

Gentile would work on his doctoral assignments from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. each weekday, before leaving for his day job. He would then read articles while commuting by train, and tackle more PhD tasks or further reading in the evenings. “I was told that I was, on average, more productive and better organized than most other, younger students, because you develop such skills when you work professionally,” he said.

Family matters

When Wendy Bohon walked across the stage to receive her doctorate in geology, she was nearly 38 years old and pregnant with twins. She wound up at Arizona State University in Tempe after beginning her career as an actor, and then becoming fascinated with earthquakes after one shook her apartment in 1999.

For her dissertation, Bohon conducted fieldwork in India on two large fault systems, focusing on how fast they had been moving, their intersections and their frequency of earthquakes — as well as the growth of mountains around them — over the past 34 million years. Today, she heads the Seismic Hazards and Earthquake Engineering branch of the California Geological Survey in Sacramento.

Wendy Bohon was nearly 38, and pregnant with twins, when she graduated from Arizona State University in Tempe with a PhD in geology. Credit: Linda Bohon

As a student, her desire to expand her family had put her in a different life stage from younger peers. She had met her husband, who already had a young daughter, while in her graduate programme. And whereas her classmates had wanted to avoid pregnancy, she had struggled to conceive. “That emotional disconnect and the difference in their reality and my reality — it was really tough,” she says. Ultimately, she and her husband chose to try the intensive process of in vitro fertilization, which Bohon mostly kept secret. At the same time, she was helping to co-parent her husband’s daughter, and the couple were given full custody of the girl when she was seven.

Bohon coped with parenting and finishing graduate school with the help of “a built-in village of people around who could step in to help us”. Other graduate students would play the card game UNO with the girl, or colour pictures with her. And Bohon’s mentor, along with the mentor’s husband, became the child’s godparents.

“In a lot of ways, it was easier to parent during my PhD, because my schedule was relatively flexible, so I could stay home with her when she was sick, or attend school functions,” Bohon says. What’s more, she adds, “having a kiddo that needed me helped me to set and keep healthier boundaries than I think I would have otherwise”.

Charlotte Olsen, a postdoctoral researcher in astrophysics at the New York City College of Technology, earned a PhD at the age of 42 and now investigates the factors that influence star formation and galaxy evolution. Olsen says that working on her doctorate presented challenges for her marriage. “I’m not gonna lie: grad school is really rough on a relationship,” she says — adding that, especially at the beginning, “it’s an incredibly stressful time”.

Among the responsibilities that older students might have is taking care of ageing parents. Olsen recalls that during her qualifying exams, she hadn’t heard from her mother, who was 76 years old at the time, for a while. She assumed that her mother wanted to give her space during that stressful time. Later, she found out that her mother’s appendix had ruptured, necessitating surgery and a stay in a hospital’s intensive-care unit.

Through it all, Olsen’s spouse was an invaluable source of emotional support. “Having somebody who is there with you along the way” helps a lot, she says.

What happens next?

Not everyone who gets a PhD stays in their field. Gentile, now 60, works as a data scientist for a Swiss television station. He had a postdoctoral research position for five years after graduation — but for several reasons, including financial ones, he could not find an academic job afterwards. “If I had really wanted to continue in astrophysics, then I would have had to move abroad; it’s difficult now,” he says.

Still, Gentile found the PhD experience rewarding and worthwhile. As well as acquiring problem-solving techniques, he learnt coding and data-science skills, such as machine learning and statistical methods. And he has used all of these in subsequent jobs, including his current one.

His graduate work also remains relevant. Some of the algorithms and software that he worked on during his PhD helped to inform the tools that scientists will use to analyse data from the European Space Agency’s Euclid observatory, which aims to explore dark energy and dark matter.

Bresock received a promotion at West Virginia University after earning her PhD in maths in December 2022, aged 41. Her dissertation examined how students understand the definite integral, a fundamental concept in calculus, when solving different kinds of problem.

Today, she has greater empathy for her own students because of her own struggles as a graduate student. Finishing her doctorate remains one of her most satisfying accomplishments, she says. “When people ask me what’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my life, it’s: get sober, and then, finish my PhD. That’s a close second.”

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02109-x

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Education at a Glance 2019: OECD Indicators (OECD, 2019).

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As we come to the end of term and the undergraduate students vacate for the summer, blog editor Ellie talks about the importance of taking holidays and adding breaks into your day. By Ellie King. We’re slowly coming to the end of the academic year, and you may have noticed other students finishing their exams,... Continue Reading →

Recruiting your Participants

One of the biggest concerns at the very early stage of our PhD journey is to complete participant recruitment. How are we going to reach out to our potential participants when we already have a clear target demographic group of people in mind? It seems easy to identify but so hard to approach them and... Continue Reading →

How Work Experience shaped my PhD

Students are often faced with a dilemma: should I pursue another degree or take a break to gain work experience? There is no simple answer, but in this week’s blog post Greta reflects on how work experience shaped her approach to PhD.   By Greta Timaite. Are you about to graduate and wondering if you should... Continue Reading →

Achieving work-life balance when you have a mental health condition

Everyone knows how important a work-life balance is, but it can be especially hard to achieve for neurodivergent students. In this week’s post, Daria shares some advice on how to balance your life when your mental state sets extra requirements. By Daria Akhapkina. One of the hardest things I’ve experienced as someone struggling with their... Continue Reading →

Finding your community: the importance of networking

Where do you begin with new connections, and, most importantly, why do you need them in the first place? In her new blog post Daria tells you about the possibilities of networking and the opportunities to get started. By Daria Akhapkina. Sometimes doing a PhD sure seems like a lone journey. It’s so easy to... Continue Reading →

Home from home: Postgraduate Community Engagement Artwork Competition Winners

Recently, the Community Engagement Team at the Library, who look after the postgraduate study spaces of the PG Hub and the Wolfson Research Exchange, ran an art competition to brighten up those spaces and encourage students to reflect on Warwick as their home from home. In today's blog post, blog editor Ellie looks at some... Continue Reading →

Software for qualitative study

PhD study usually involves huge sets of data, and the command of some software makes it less painful to deal with this matter. In this blog, Ivy introduces three types of software to improve your academic output. By Ivy Zhuo. Transcription generating tools Transcribing is indeed a challenging task for a lot of qualitative researchers... Continue Reading →

Working as a Research Assistant

Being a research assistant (RA) is not an unusual experience for research students. It is a great opportunity to learn how a research project is operated, allowing us to gain experience relevant to our CV and potential future funding applications.  It is also one of the best ways to support ourselves financially or to earn... Continue Reading →

Benefiting from Open Science as a research student

Open science help researchers make their work more accessible to the public. This also means that students can use research to support their own learning! In this blog post Greta discusses how open science can benefit data science learners and how to take advantage of the best data and code sharing practices.  By Greta Timaite.... Continue Reading →

Life as a Warwick Research Student

Warwick is home to around 12,000 postgraduate students, and many of these are researchers. Studying for a doctorate of some kind, Warwick’s research students contribute to the vibrant research culture at the university, whilst having a strong community of their own. Balancing commitments of supervisions, writing conference papers, and teaching, research life can be busy,... Continue Reading →

Finding your place as an international PhD Student

Doing your PhD as an international student can sometimes feel a bit scary and overwhelming. In this post, Daria discusses several ways of fighting the common fears of not fitting in or being left out.  By Daria Akhapkina Settling in a new environment is hard, especially coming from a completely different academic and cultural background.... Continue Reading →

Resolutions stick better in Spring

Did you find yourself, January 1st, setting a load of New Years’ Resolutions? Going to the gym 5 times a week, no alcohol, 10,000 steps a day, 2 litres of water, going vegan, calling your mum every week. Do you find yourself, as we head into April, feeling like you’ve failed miserably at all of... Continue Reading →

Getting out of your own head

As a PhD researcher, GTA and lover of ‘cute sayings’ one of Cherisse’s favourite quotes is ‘In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I’m blessed’. At last, these She has taken some time to reflect on the confusing, complicated and difficult journey called a PhD figuring out how to stop and... Continue Reading →

The best places for academic reading

Intensive academic reading is what every PhD student would experience during their study. Reasons to read varies, ranging from identifying a research gap, to justifying our study, to writing for publications or to preparing for an academic talk. Or sometimes, simply to answering a question that our colleagues raise to us. This experience is usually... Continue Reading →

The benefits of internships

As PhD students, we are often focused on research and very little else. But taking a step outside of your PhD to look into the world of work may be worth the time. Having just finished an internship, blogger Ellie talks us through her experiences, and why an internship could benefit you too. By Ellie... Continue Reading →

How to Present at Conferences

Presenting at conferences to share our research is part of our life as a PhD student. It is natural to have butterflies in our stomach if it is our first time doing a public presentation. However, even for some experienced speakers, presenting at conferences could bring huge pressure, since anyone could be among our audience,... Continue Reading →

How to make your phone an asset

Spend countless hours doom-scrolling when you should be working? Tired of the incessant pinging of inane notifications? This week, blogger Clarissa shares some tips on how to optimise your phone for focus without downloading a single app! By Riss Muller. If you’re anything like me, your phone is somewhat of a time drain. It pings,... Continue Reading →

You can learn programming: Three more practical tips

In this blog post Greta continues sharing her experience on what helped her to break into data science. Previously, she discussed the psychological side of learning programming, today she gives three practical tips that have helped her to get a job in data science and hone her programming skills.   By Greta Timaite. A few months... Continue Reading →

Study Happy at Warwick Library

This week Library staff member Emil gives an overview of the social, wellbeing and skills activities currently happening in the Library, and invites you to develop a positive work-life balance. By Emil Rybczak When the Christmas break is just a memory and you’ve committed to multiple deadlines before Easter, how do you keep on top... Continue Reading →

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From PhD to Life blog

Your phd dissertation can help you get a job.

Interview with Jen Harrison, dissertation coach and owner of Read.Write.Perfect. I met Jen Harrison a few weeks ago and we had a great conversation about…

What are informational interviews?

Thanks to my friend Jennifer van Alstyne for this fun conversation about informational interviews, why to do them, and how they can supercharge a PhD…

Want to apply to industry jobs for PhDs? Read this.

Recently, I was reading advice about how to apply for industry jobs for PhDs. It got me curious about how folks were defining “industry” in…

Are you a sellout if you leave academia after your PhD?

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Network as an introvert without doing anything icky

Are you an introvert? If so, you’ve probably wondered how you can network as an introvert without doing anything icky. A lot of PhDs identify…

Leaving academia doesn’t mean going corporate

One of the concerns PhDs have when contemplating leaving academia is wanting to do research without selling out to giant corporations that only care about…

Do you have to network to get a job after your PhD?

I watched a webinar for PhDs where the presenter pushed back against the advice to network in order to get a job. “No, you don’t…

What you think you know about postdocs is wrong

Okay, yes, that’s a cheeky headline. You probably aren’t wrong about postdocs 🙂 But a lot of folks do have mistaken views about postdocs. What…

Is your job not ticking all your boxes? Volunteering can help you fill the gaps

I teach PhDs how to identify job and career options that align with the life you want. That includes alignment of skills, tasks, interests, values,…

Your PhD is a marathon, not a sprint

Interview with Vanessa Corcoran, author of It’s A Marathon, Not a Sprint: My Road to the Marathon and Ph.D. In her memoir, Dr. Corcoran chronicles…

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The PhD Life Raft Podcast

On Being a First Generation PhD Scholar with Nicole Patrie

May 13, 2024

Nicole Patrie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Safety and Justice Studies at MacEwan University, and a PhD student in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, specializing in Adult Education. Nicole has been involved in prison education at all levels: as a teacher, administrator, and...

Navigating US PhD Programmes as an International Scholar with Vicky Laina

May 6, 2024

Vicky Laina is a learning scientist with a focus on educational technologies in mathematics teaching and learning. She designs and studies learning experiences where the use of technology can support epistemic transparency and collaborative thinking amongst youth, with the goal of helping students reimagine what doing...

Managing Your Supervisor with Gina Holmes

Apr 29, 2024

Gina Holmes has worked both in industry and academia - with over two decades of experience in Higher Education.  As well as her own research experience  she has worked with dozens of doctoral candidates and hundreds (maybe more) of Master’s students, supporting them to complete theses they are proud of and which...

PhDs and Substack with Wafaa Aldhfairi

Apr 22, 2024

Wafaa Aldhfairi is a PhD candidate at UNMC, specializing in pharmaceutical sciences with a master's degree in the field. She's also the creator of the "Pharma Weekly Digest," a newsletter that shares the latest pharmaceutical news, making industry updates accessible to all. 

In this episode we discuss the PhD journey,...

For PhDs Who Are Thinking of Leaving Academia with Naomi Tyrell

Apr 15, 2024

Naomi finished her PhD in 2006, worked part-time and then full-time in commercial research and then re-entered academia as a Research Fellow at University College Cork, Ireland. She gained permanency in 2010 at the University of Plymouth, UK, but then decided to leave academia (again!) and started her entrepreneurial...

About the Podcast

This is the podcast for you if you are currently doing a PhD; are working with PhD students; or just living with someone who is on a PhD journey. The PhD Life Raft focuses on sharing insights and experiences around common issues like anxiety, procrastination, imposter syndrome, and work-life balance. Host Dr Emma Brodzinski talks to students, supervisors and experts in the field of wellbeing and mental health who share actionable tips and additional resources. Doing a PhD is tough. The PhD Life Raft is here to help you get through.

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• Life After a PhD: What Can You Do?
• After a PhD

So, you’ve passed one of the biggest milestones in your life so far (or at least in your academic life!). You’ll have spent at least 7 years at university on a journey that’s taken you from sitting in your first lecture as an undergraduate student to finally handing in your PhD thesis and making it through the viva. This is a time for celebration and of excitement of what the future holds. But it can also be a time of uncertainty, where you’re presented with so many options for your immediate next steps that you’re not sure where to start.

Here are some thoughts we’ve put together to help you in your decision making in case you are wondering what to you with your PhD.

A common option used by fresh PhD graduates is to stay on within their lab environment for the first month or two, but this time in a part- or full-time teaching capacity. This will ensure you have some money coming in now that the stipend payments have finished and can be an excellent way to build up some teaching experience (although you’re likely to have done this throughout the course of your time as a PhD student).

If your department or institution has teaching opportunities available, then it should be a fairly straightforward transition to this new role; you’ll already be familiar with the environment and know the team well.

Keep in mind though that whilst you may gain experience working within your old lab or department, you might gain more from taking up a teaching post within a new setup that you’re not familiar with. This could be a good way to widen your network and learn more about how things are done in different departments, even within the same university.

The key thing is to view this teaching role as a temporary position while you explore your options for the next big step in your career development.

A natural progression for someone just having completed their PhD (and in particular someone keen on developing their career in academia) is to take on a post-doctoral role either within your current lab or a different one.

Post-docs positions usually last between one and three years, and most researchers gain experience by completing several positions at different institutions. The roles are funded, offering a generous step-up from your PhD stipend and are a good way to start developing your own ideas and thoughts as to which direction you want to take your research in.

Post-docs publish quite a bit and present at conferences; this is also an excellent opportunity to work more collaboratively with senior academics within your field.

Know that securing a post-doc job can become very competitive, particularly in the leading universities within your area of research. This is definitely a time where building a strong network can pay dividends – a strong CV with a developing track record of publications is also valuable.

Life Outside of Research

You may be one of a growing number of people that decide at the completion of their PhD that a career based in research and at a university is not for you. You can have a great sense of freedom when you know what you want out of life.

Just because you decide on a path outside of academia, does not mean that your years of study have been for nothing. In fact, the opposite is true – in completing your PhD, you’ll have built a set of skills and knowledge that are highly sought after by many employers.

Your CV will show that you’re self-motivated, able to work well both within a team and individually, keep to deadlines and can present complex ideas.

Highly educated, skilled people are in high demand by the commercial sector; you should have no trouble tailoring your CV to something very appealing to them.

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• Doing A PhD - What's it Like to Study for a Doctorate?

Doing a PhD

No lectures, no modules, no coursework and just one (big) exam: it isn't hard to see that a PhD will be very different to any other degree you've experienced.

So, what's it like to actually study for one? Think of this section as your PhD crystal ball!

From an overview of the PhD journey and an insight into working with a supervisor to what you can expect from the PhD thesis and the final viva voce exam , we've covered the rhythms and routines of PhD research.

Still looking for a PhD?

You can filter our regularly updated course listings by topic, location and funding available.

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

What happens during a typical PhD, and when? We've summarised the main milestones of a doctoral research journey.

The PhD thesis is the most important part of a doctoral degree. This page will introduce you to what you need to know about the PhD dissertation.

This page will give you an idea of what to expect from your routine as a PhD student, explaining how your daily life will look at you progress through a doctoral degree.

How to plan, structure and write your PhD literature review so as to demonstrate your understanding of your PhD topic.

This guide introduces some of the obligations and expectations that underpin a healthy supervisory relationship, as well as explaining how that relationship develops along with your PhD.

Many PhD students undertake some teaching or demonstrating for undergraduate students alongside their project, as a way of gaining professional experience (and earning additional money!). Here's what you can expect from this work.

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Phd graduates: a guide to life after your degree, published by steve tippins on june 25, 2022 june 25, 2022.

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 05:49 am

What do PhD students do after they graduate? What should they do? And what are the unexpected challenges and limitations they encounter?

The first thing a PhD graduate should do is rest and gather their thoughts. It can actually feel stressful to rest after you’re finished because you’re used to pushing yourself to the limit. It can almost be a letdown for some people to have time to rest. However, it is vital to allow yourself to return to a baseline that is a healthy pace of life. Take time and gather your thoughts. 

After that, it’s time to take a look at how to navigate your career after you graduate with your PhD.

Getting a Job as a PhD Graduate

Traditionally, many people moved on to academia after getting their PhD . They would become a professor or instructor. The ideal was to become an assistant professor and do the teaching, research, and service needed to continue; then become an associate professor; and then get tenure and eventually become a professor. That has been the traditional route for people with PhDs . 

But what people do with a PhD is expanding dramatically. In some fields such as education, having a doctorate leads to administrative positions. Many principals and superintendents with doctorates, whether it’s a PhD or EdD, use their degree to enhance their career outside of colleges and universities. They do administrative activities and fill administrative roles in school systems or specific schools. 

Are Universities Failing PhD Graduates?

“Instead of seeking work across society, many highly skilled doctorate holders end up teaching a course here and there – for low wages – in the vanishing hope of full-time jobs as professors. This proliferation of adjunct labor devalues the people doing it and the academic workplace together.” – The Conversation

People are beginning to wonder: Is getting a PhD worth it? Are schools actually doing the right thing by putting out more PhDs? 

Over-Producing PhDs

There are more PhDs than academic jobs at this time. And, the pandemic didn’t help hiring; uncertainties are all over the place. The number of college-age students is lower, so demand for professors is lower. 

What have many universities done in response to all this? They have said, “we are not going to hire tenure track people, we will hire instructors or even adjunct professors.” Doing so frees them from the obligations of tenure. 

Over 50% of doctoral candidates don’t finish their dissertations.

Tenure is almost like locking people up for lifetime contracts. Abandoning this practice gives universities a lot more flexibility to handle their demand. However, this also means that there is a whole group of people who are getting paid a lot less. 

This is especially hard on those in adjunct positions who have earned a PhD. They have spent lots of years working to get paid $2,000 to $10,000 to teach a class. It’s hard to support yourself on that, let alone support a family and pay student loans.

The Adjunct Faculty Rut

Many people who come from a PhD program get stuck in the adjunct faculty rut while searching for a full-time position. They have to do the research to keep current, but they could make more money working a $15 to $20 an hour job that doesn’t require much education. People entering a PhD program should understand that is one of the realities they may face. Now, many people consider careers outside of academia and what a PhD can do for them.

Careers Outside of Academia

Challenges for PhDs Looking for Jobs Outside Academia

One of the challenges people with PhDs face is having employers understand who they are, what their skills are, and why they should hire a PhD. Some people have this perception that PhDs are overqualified to work for them. Other people think PhDs are just theoretical and want somebody who will “actually do work.” You have to combat that thought process. 

Selling the Skill Set of a PhD to Non-Academic Employers

Presenting the skills you acquired doing a PhD to employers and showing them that your skill set is going to be highly valuable is one challenge. This will be less of a challenge over time as more PhDs enter the workforce. 

How do you sell the skill set of a PhD to a non-academic employer? It’s all about communicating the skills you acquired and proved by doing your PhD. Here are some examples:

• In order to get a PhD, you had to be highly organized. 
• In order to keep track of all the research you were doing, you had to be able to carry out a long-term project. 
• You had to be able to work with people, even though some may think you did it alone. 
• You had to be able to work with a committee and essentially manage a group of people. 
• You have planning skills: the planning of your degree, doing the research, and then carrying out the research. It’s a huge endeavor and skill set. 
• You have the technical skills 
• Critical thinking has become part of your normal life. You bring the ability to look at problems from many different sides and then break the problem down and come up with the creative solutions employers are looking for. 

PhDs have to market the skill set more than the degree.

How Does the Glut of PhDs Affect Society?

From a positive perspective, having a group of highly educated people with the skills we just outlined is potentially highly beneficial for society. People within society with these skills can help solve and tackle many problems. 

However, on the opposite side, to get a PhD, you spend time outside of the productive world. You have what some economists might call pent-up demand for materials and services. If there’s a glut of PhDs and you don’t have the capacity to get the jobs you wanted within academia, that can cause unemployment. 

For example, there are places in the United States like Austin, Texas where they say all the taxi drivers have PhDs. People fall in love with Austin, but there aren’t many jobs there. They dedicate huge portions of their life to their PhD and then end up working in jobs they never needed that degree for. 

Is Getting a PhD a Waste of Time?

You shouldn’t get a PhD for financial rewards. However, there is joy in following the pursuit of knowledge. If you are the type of person who really wants to answer questions, explore issues, and come up with solutions, a PhD may be an ideal route for you. If this is the case for you, figure out how to monetize it and become successful. 

For many people, there’s no greater feeling than finding a problem and then providing solutions to it. That can be the beauty and non-monetary reward of being involved in a PhD. Just make sure to cover the financial side of things as well.

Final Thoughts

When you’re doing a PhD, you are surrounded by people who are also on a quest. The camaraderie of supporting each other on these quests can be very rewarding. 

Ultimately, you should not enter into a PhD program lightly. You should understand not only the process of getting a PhD – the rules and procedures – but also why you want to get a PhD. What about it is going to be worth over three years of your life? Explore that, and if you can answer that question, a PhD can be very rewarding.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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PhD Life: Socialising and Making Friends as a PhD Student

There is a widely held belief that PhD students must be constantly working, with no time for a life outside of academia. If you’re considering embarking on a PhD you’re probably curious about what PhD life is really like.

Do PhD students have many opportunities to socialise? Can PhD students join societies? Are PhD students destined to work and live in isolation for the duration of their PhD?

I recently finished my PhD so I’m keen to share with you the realities of life as a PhD student. I’ll also include some of my own experiences of PhD students’ social lives.

Disclaimer – I completed my PhD just as COVID-19 was taking hold. Social events may be a little different for now but you should still have time away from work to be sociable! In this post I include examples and tips for how to stay sociable during lockdown.

Does PhD Life Leave Time To Socialise?

Let’s start by dispelling the belief that PhD students need to always be working and must live in a permanently anxious state that they’re not working enough.

I see tweets like this all the time:

3rd yr PhD student: Sorry I haven't texted back. Been working 16 hours/day recently Me: Barely forces self to work 8 hours/day bc I'm constantly exhausted or simply can't focus. Feel so guilty about this. Any advice to improve my productivity? @AcademicChatter @OpenAcademics — Marina D (@marinadsouza22) December 16, 2020

PhD students should not be under any pressure to feel the need to work crazy (>8 hour/day) hours! If nothing else, working such long hours are unproductive and entirely unsustainable long term. Even if dedicating all of your waking hours to research was mentally sustainable, there is more to the PhD experience than just your project!

I feel strongly that if you treat your PhD like a normal full time job, i.e. around 40 hours a week you’ll be as productive as you would ever need to be.

Previously I shared how many hours I worked, and a calendar, during the second year as a PhD student to illustrate how I spent my time. Seeing and speaking to many other PhD students, I’d say the amount of hours I worked during the PhD was pretty normal.

Sidenotes: In case it’s of interest I’ve also shown that PhD students do take holidays , so again please don’t feel under pressure to not take extended breaks from your project! Oh and please also know that you don’t need lots of caffeine to survive a PhD !

This is basically a long way of saying that life as a PhD student should involve having a life outside of the lab! Taking time away from your work to socialise is great for so many reasons but not least is it fantastic for your mental health. Looking after yourself should be a priority far above academic achievements.

What If I’m Happy to Work Longer Hours on My Project?

As with any segment of society, PhD students represent a range of people with different priorities. There will be some PhD students who do spend all of their time working and aren’t interested in socialising. That’s completely fine but that should be a choice rather than a requirement.

Whilst I understand that some projects may require periods of long hours, it shouldn’t be the norm to regularly put yourself through unsustainably long working shifts. If a PhD student has no time away from research I would personally suggest that they are doing things wrong. If nothing else they’re missing out on other parts of the PhD student life experience!

Even if you love your project, there are loads of positives to taking time away from your work and making time for the other fun things you can do as a student which we’ll come on to in a second!

Two Perks to Your Social Life as a PhD Student

If they want to, PhD students absolutely can and do have a social life! Despite misconceptions, as we just covered a moment ago PhD students aren’t generally confined to living a life in the lab for the duration of their project!

The reality is that your social life as a PhD student doesn’t need to be any different from how it would be if you were working a regular job. Just like how university graduates who go on to have “normal” jobs still go out and have fun, so can PhD students. In fact I’d go as far as to say that PhD students are in a much better position to enjoy a rich social life than friends who go straight into a normal job.

This is because PhD students have a few aces up their sleeves when it comes to having fun and being sociable whilst being productive:

1. PhD students can still join societies and sports clubs through the students’ union

A lot of PhD students don’t realise that all of the opportunities to join student-run societies and sports clubs are still open to them as PhD students.

In my experience, even fewer PhD students actually make use of this opportunity.

I think that this a big oversight since student societies and sports clubs are a way to very easily meet like-minded individuals and a fantastic way to socialise and make other PhD friends.

Even if you don’t have any hobbies at the moment, these student-run clubs represent an incredible chance to try new things out. For example during my PhD I tried out gliding. I only went for one taster session but had an amazing time! I would never have usually gone out of my way to try gliding but at university opportunities like that are seamless and practically handed out on a plate.

Think of all the cool things you could try which would add to your PhD life. I do appreciate that things are a little different at the moment, but there are still things to get involved with and the restrictions won’t be with us forever.

If you don’t make the most of your chance to enjoy your time at the university you’re missing out!

2. You are in control of your time

By and large PhD supervisors give their students lots of freedom to manage their own time. As long as you get the work done, it doesn’t really matter when you do it. This means that you can fit your work around activities more easily than if you were in a structured working environment.

For example, in the UK Wednesday afternoons are the common time for university sports clubs to meet. I’ve known PhD students who take advantage of flexible working to take this time off and enjoy playing their favourite sports. Likewise I’ve had labmates who shuffled around their work to fit in orchestra practice and I’ve taken time out of my day to run events for student societies and volunteer.

Volunteering to provide free tutoring in a local sixth form, and going to an event organised by the Dutch Embassy in London about plastic pollution (before it was trendy!)

Having the flexibility to work whenever you want also means…

• being able to meet up with friends who are visiting
• finishing early if you’re travelling somewhere
• starting work late if you drank a bit too much the night before
• simply leaving to get an ice-cream with labmates!

Being in an environment with this flexibility and ownership of your time can be very handy to ensure that you are having a break from work and staying sociable.

Typical Opportunities to Make Friends and Socialise

Below are a few examples of the many ways PhD life gives you opportunities to socialise. None of these suggestions require that you know anyone in the place you’re studying.

All examples are from my own PhD experience.

Academic-related social events:

• Regular drinks with members of the research group . These have continued to take place virtually for a research group I was in.
• Research groups bi-annual socials . At Imperial there is a departmental allowance to fund two away days (or meals) every year. During my time we went bowling, did an escape room, played darts plus enjoyed several meals together as a research group.
• Public engagement events. Speaking to the public about research might not sound like time off from work and yes it can be tiring. Even so, I did it a few times during my PhD and enjoyed it so much more than I was expecting to! It convinced me that even for introverts like myself, speaking to loads of new people can be good every so often! It is also a great way to bond with your research team.

Busy afternoon chatting slug slime science @royalsociety 's Summer Science 2018 with @celizlab & @NHM_London . Team are there again 10-6 tomorrow, drop by! pic.twitter.com/frFEYLjJm0 — Jeff Clark (@savvy_scientist) July 7, 2018

• PhD student-specific socials. One of the two departments I was affiliated with ran a few social events throughout the year specifically for PhD students in the department: free food and drink!
• Departmental parties at Christmas and the summer.

What about if your research group and/or department don’t organise any events? Well firstly, you can always try organising your own. Secondly, here are some other widely available events:

• Public lectures and seminars by visiting academics. Go along with friends or make friends at the event or at the free drinks receptions often held afterwards.
• Conferences . They’re a great way to socialise. I’m not massively extroverted but some of my favourite conferences have been when I’ve gone alone and put myself out there. Most conferences have loads of opportunities to socialise: coffee breaks, poster sessions, drinks receptions and often a conference dinner. Don’t worry, loads of people go to them alone. You’re going to an event where people work on similar research to yourself so usually you’ll have lots of common interests to talk about. If all else fails, start a conversation by asking people about their research: they’ll love it!

Non-academic social events:

In addition to academic settings, there are loads of other ways to make friends and stay sociable during your PhD. PhD life does not need to be a lonely experience and I’d be sad to hear of people working in small isolated research groups who are having a miserable time!

Here are a few examples of ways that I stayed sociable outside of an academic setting.

• Trying out new sports . If you have the chance, I really suggest making use of the opportunity to try out new sports. I’m not really sporty but took the opportunity to try out different cool things. During my PhD, in addition to gliding, I learned to scuba dive and surfing trips with the student-run clubs: including spending my birthday surfing in Morocco! I’m still on the mailing lists for some of these sports clubs and know that they’re still organising events, many of which are available virtually. I realise this isn’t quite the same but can provide a much needed way to socialise!

• Joining societies as a PhD student . Most universities have loads of student-run societies for everything from acapella to yoga, and loads in between. Here is the list from the Imperial students’ union. I personally got involved with the environmental society and ended up leading it as president for a year.

Having worked for a few years before starting my PhD I was initially apprehensive about joining clubs and societies, but I decided to get involved while I had the chance and I am so glad I did.

I can’t speak highly enough of the social benefits which come from either trying something new or bonding with fellow students who already love the same interests as you. If you do go on to do a PhD, make sure to make the most of all the opportunities !

Another great visit to the @IC_ESoc allotment today with @savvy_scientist – pond cleared, green manure planted and courgettes & beans harvested @Grantham_IC @imperialcollege pic.twitter.com/IAFFln0ZXH — Imperial Zero Pollution: Our Campuses (@Sustainable_ICL) September 25, 2018

• Volunteering. If you’re moving to a different city or country, I’ve found volunteering to be a great way to meet new people. For example I spent many Saturday mornings during my PhD growing vegetables with people in my local community outside of the university. In my book, socialising outdoors gets points for being twice as good!

PhD Life During Lockdown: How to Avoid Loneliness and Stay Sociable

If you’re working from home and are unable to go and enjoy in-person events, it is more important than ever to ensure you’re able to avoid loneliness and stay sociable in other ways! The most obvious and safe way to do so is to move them online.

Here are a few suggestions to ensure you’re able to stay sociable remotely during a PhD:

• Videocall a friend or family member . Not quite the same as seeing in real life, but much better than not speaking to them at all! The great thing with speaking virtually is that you’re not limited to only speaking to friends or family who are geographically close by.
• Join virtual events . Loads of student societies have moved to virtual events for their members, plus I have seen different virtual events organised by groups, departments and university-wide initiatives. If you’re anything like me and get intimidated by social events, you could start by finding passive events where the focus is on following a presentation, tutorial or video and there is less emphasis on needing to jump straight into talking to strangers. I do encourage you to put yourself out there though if you feel up to it. The handy thing with socialising virtually is if you’re not enjoying it you can easily leave, blaming it on a dodgy internet connection if necessary!

If there aren’t any virtual events for your research group, PhD cohort or department, consider organising one yourself. Not only are you helping yourself but it could be a lifeline for someone else too!

Since finishing my PhD I’m currently still working in research as a post-doc so fully appreciate the difficulties of balancing your time during a lockdown: here in the UK we’re in one right now! Working from home can certainly blur work and home life which makes it all the more important that you can differentiate the two by having fun and staying sociable!

Hopefully I’ve reassured you that PhD life doesn’t need to consist of work every hour of the day and that it is possible to still enjoy an active social life! If you have any comments or concerns, I’m happy to try and help if you want to reach out.

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• PhD Student Life

In This Section

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The full doctoral student experience at Harvard is not just about outstanding academics. It’s also about the community you build, the connections you make, and the many ways for you to grow academically, professionally, and personally.

There are many student organizations and opportunities for you to make your doctoral program experience truly your own—and resources to support you along the way. Those below are just a few.

Kennedy PhD Student Association (KPSA)

The singular focus of KPSA, a student organization, is on building a supportive and healthy community for students enrolled in Harvard Kennedy School-affiliated doctoral programs. Among its responsibilities, KPSA organizes social events, promotes health and well being among doctoral students, and focuses on research development opportunities.

Diversity at Harvard

The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) and Harvard is a community of students and scholars who represent different races, ethnicities, belief systems, nationalities, genders, and sexual orientations.  There are student groups and resources at Harvard Griffin GSAS and HKS alike that provide opportunities for you to become part of communities and help you thrive academically, develop professionally, and grow personally during your time at Harvard. 

Harvard Grad Women in Economics

Housed in the Department of Economics, the Harvard Grad Women in Economics student organization brings together Harvard’s female and non-binary graduate students to build community and work on important issues that affect women’s representation and inclusion in the economics field.

Supporting the Whole You

Harvard Griffin GSAS and Harvard provide a range of resources to support your academic, physical, social, and mental well being as you pursue your doctoral research. Several professional development programs are also available to prepare you for each step as you work toward your doctoral degree. 

Among the Harvard Griffin GSAS resources include those that are academically focused, particularly the Bureau of Study Counsel and the  Center for Writing and Communicating Ideas . But they also include family-minded resources such as the  Harvard Student Spouses and Partners Association and Care.com as well as those focused on your mental health and well being .   

Read more about the support programs available to you at  Harvard Griffin GSAS and HKS during your time at Harvard. 

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

Wharton Stories

What to expect from a phd schedule.

Take a look at a current student’s schedule and get the insider perspective from doctoral students and coordinators on what to expect from a PhD schedule.

The life of a PhD candidate can be stressful as you adjust to a rigorous academic and research schedule. Penn and Wharton offer a variety of resources to help support you in the transition to PhD life.

Wharton’s sense of community offers a level of comfort when reaching out to faculty as well as fellow students to help solve problems. Doctoral students and coordinators give the insider view on what to expect from a PhD schedule.

Class and Research First

The first two years of a PhD program are mainly made up of classes and the beginning stages of research. Deborah Small , the doctoral coordinator for the Marketing program , said, “It starts with heavy duty coursework and a lot of specific requirements. At the end of your first year, there are qualifying exams on all the core marketing courses. Second year they still have a lot of coursework to do, but more of that is elective with a focus more on their interests. During those years they’re expected to get started on research.”

In addition to taking classes and getting started with research, the Marketing program requires students to write two papers. The first research paper is due at the end of the second year, the other is due at the end of the third year.

The Real Estate and Business Economics and Public Policy programs run like the Marketing program. Fernando Ferreira , coordinator for the programs, said, “During the first year they complete six core courses. In the second year, the focus shifts to field courses and to independent research. They have two professors advising them in that year.”

After completing the main courses, students shift to conducting independent research. For REAL and BEPP students this means writing three dissertation chapters during the third and fourth years.

Time for Conferences and Seminars

Because coursework is usually completed by the second half of the program, there’s time for students to attend lectures and seminars. Andrea Contigiani , a fifth year student in the Management program, said, “In my fourth year, I usually attended a seminar around lunchtime. Wharton has an incredible seminar series throughout the year, with a good seminar happening almost everyday. Occasionally, I attended other events, like MBA events or speaker series. I then go back to research for most of the afternoon.”

Prof. Small said, “Students are expected to actively participate in seminars and activities. They’re also encouraged to go to academic conferences and try to present their work at those conferences. It is similar to the expectations of being a faculty member, minus teaching.”

Classes take up the majority of the first two years of the programs. When the focus then switches to research, you’re expected to work independently. Sometimes that can be intimidating. You become your own boss, which is an adjustment from being told what to do and when to do it.

So how do you manage it? Get advice from students and coordinators.

Posted: August 4, 2017

• Work/Life Balance

Doctoral Programs

Matthew caulfield.

Hometown Ocean City, New Jersey

Concentration Management and Legal Studies & Business Ethics

Doctoral Stage Second Year

Typical Day at a Glance

8:30 am Wake up and get ready for the day

9:15 am Get to PhD Offices, respond to emails, check philosophy blogs and read news

10:30 am Journal article readings

11:30 am Meet with advisor

12:00 pm Attend departmental seminar speaker and lunch

1:30 pm Attend Wharton Social Impact Doctoral Community meeting

3:00 pm Attend business ethics seminar

5:00 pm Read for class

7:00 pm Meet with nonparametric statistics study group

8:00 pm Complete homework

12:00 am Go home

1:00 am Bedtime

What is your favorite part about Wharton?

First, the faculty are excellent. They are often leading experts in their fields, and they can offer advice that would be hard to find elsewhere.

Second, the other PhD students are just as passionate about research as you would hope. A huge part of my scholarly development has been due to the discussions I have had with other graduate students.

Third, the Wharton name can offer you serious advantages. In the course of research, I think industry practitioners as well as other academics have been more willing to talk or correspond with me because I am a graduate student at Wharton.

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How to Do a PhD Later in Life: A Primer on What to Expect

By Sara K. McBride

For many people, completing a PhD is a lifelong goal. However, not everyone can do one in their 20’s. Many of us have to wait until later in life to make the leap into this major commitment. It is critical to know what to expect when going in and some of the challenges and benefits of being a mid- or late-career student, which aren’t often talked about. I’d like to share my observations from both my personal experience as a late-30’s PhD student and those of my fellow PhD students in my program who ranged in age from early 20’s to age 70.

First, I need to say that, no matter what, you should avoid paying for your PhD on your own. There is a large number of fellowships and scholarships that will offer annual stipends and full tuition to incoming students. Self funding for 4-7 years is a huge responsibility. You don’t have to bear this cost alone if you seek fully funded PhD programs that support students financially.

Also, remember, take the bits of wisdom that are useful to you and leave the rest behind.

The Benefits

You’ve got different types of work experience. If you have had a lot of life experience, you can apply numerous skills from whatever field you worked in before coming back to academia. Knowledge of project management, accounting, communication, writing, public speaking, software programming, publishing, writing grant proposals, networking, team management…the list goes on and on of skills you might have learned in the workplace that applies to your PhD. Remember: a PhD is not a marathon, it’s a triathlon, that involves different skills at different times. So your skills in the workplace really help!

Resilience in the face of failure. You are going to fail…a lot. And, if you have worked in a variety of different environments, you’ve probably built up different ways of coping with failure. And you will also be familiar with rejection, which is also a critical part of academia. Peer review is a tough process at all stages of learning, and, if you’ve had a few years of working in harsh environments, this will help you pick yourself up again and keep going forward.

You know yourself. You have a separate identity outside the confines of academia. For me, I knew I had been successful in other spheres and so I did not feel as much of a let down when I submitted my dissertation. I knew a life outside the PhD endeavour and so, I didn’t have any missing identity problems of submission that I have seen other people who have never been outside of academia struggle with. Having a separate life and identity can be a real benefit.

There’s no FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) . I had spent 15 years working and travelling around the world, doing various things. I never envied anyone else’s experiences while I was writing my dissertation, because I had similar experiences already. There was no “what might have been” longing within me to distract myself.

You know what you want. I’ve found that most “later in life” PhDs are really clear as to their intentions and motivations. This makes it easier to focus your time and attention to complete your dissertation.

The Challenges

You need to park your ego. Now that you are a PhD student, you are no different in the eyes of the academy to your 23 year old peer. Your experiences and previous job titles no longer matter. You’ll have to leave your ego at the door and really humble yourself to learn from your supervisors, as well as the potentially younger and less experienced students around you. Learning can be a painful process, especially when you feel you have achieved so much in another field. This was a real struggle for me but honestly, it was also very liberating to leave my past behind and just embrace being a student again. Listen to your supervisors and your fellow students; you don’t know it all in academia (no one does).

Some doors are now closed to you. It is true, once you get that PhD, you can be perceived as being “over qualified” and there for, unhirable for many jobs out there. Be prepared for these doors to close and not re-open. There are really exciting new doors that are now available to you but these might be different than you were expecting. But before you start, make sure you are quite happy for those doors to be closed permanently.

Sacrificing your high earning years is tough. If you are doing a PhD later in life, you might be sacrificing earning potential for those years. This can have long ranging impacts on your ability to afford a home or your retirement plans. So be aware of the financial hit that you are about to take.

You may be older than your advisors/supervisors. It is true; you might have more experience and maturity than the supervisors on your committee. But here is the thing: they have more experience than you in academia. No matter where you are at in your PhD process, respect the pathway of those ahead of you, even if they are younger in age. Even if you disagree with your supervisors or advisors, do your best to always remain respectful in those disagreements. Remember: 90 percent of your happiness during a PhD will be based on your relationships with your committee, so do your best to be a great student.    

You will feel really uncomfortable. I felt (and still feel) pretty stupid most of the time in research; it makes me feel deeply uncomfortable at times. If you were a highly competent professional in your last career, you might not remember when the last time it was that you felt utterly out of your depth…and stupid. So be prepared to feel stupid, it will happen. The best thing you can do is admit to this feeling and pushing forward until you no longer feel uncomfortable.

You’ll be a bit rusty. If you’ve been out of school for more than four years or so, your research brain may be a bit rusty. The advantages of doing a PhD right away is that your brain has been primed to work in the research environment and you’ve developed habits based on this. Academia changes rapidly; methods, informed by technology, can force you to learn new things. It may take time to come back up to speed and you may feel behind before you even begin. This is okay, keep going!

For me, doing a dissertation was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It challenged me and I certainly struggled. But I do not regret the decision I made to pursue a PhD. Hopefully the above will give you an understanding of what you are in for if you decide to do one later in life. It can be a rewarding pathway, especially if you know what to expect before going in. Accept the journey you’ve put yourself on and bow your head to the experience. If done properly, the PhD can be a transformative time in your life.

Dr. Sara K. McBride is a Mendenhall Fellow at the U.S.G.S in Menlo Park. Sara has 20 years of experience as a professional communicator and disaster responder, having recently shifted careers into social science research.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts in Law and Justice from Central Washington University, a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, and her Ph.D. from Massey University in English and Media Studies. Sara McBride is an employee of the U.S. Geological Survey but the above views do not represent the USGS’s position and is not an official statement from the organization. This post was not sponsored.

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Dr Vikki  Burns - the PhD Life Coach

It sometimes feels like everyone in academia feels overwhelmed, undervalued, and exhausted.

It doesn't have to be like this. 

I help PhD students and academics feel better, get their work done more easily, and build lives they enjoy again.

“Since having coaching with Vikki, I’ve felt so much calmer because I’m not spinning in my mind. I feel more confident, happier and more content. I finally have the headspace to enjoy my job. My role hasn’t changed, but I don’t feel overwhelmed any more.

I’m kinder to myself and I’m getting more done.”

Rebecca, Teaching Fellow and Programme Director

How you're feeling is normal

I went from first year undergrad to full Professor at the same institution and saw that, AT EVERY LEVEL, people were saying the same things.

There's too   much to do

I don't have time to have fun

People don't

I'm not good enough

We tell ourselves that things will be easier if we can just get through this ne xt few weeks...  But that milestone comes and goes and the to-do list just gets longer.

The good news is that you don't have to feel like this

You don't have to wait., you can feel better now (and still achieve your goals)..

Why choose the PhD Life coach?

Senior academic experience plus life coach training

I get academia. I reached full Professor, have supervised many PhD students, mentored senior staff to promotions and national awards, and I am a double-accredited life coach.

Develop your reflective practice as well as expert support

One-on-one coaching is amazing, but I want to you to be able to look after yourself without me too! I teach you how to understand your mind an d  coach yourself   to achieve your goals.

I want you to thrive, not just to cope with adversity

  My coaching isn't designed to make you "resilient" so that you just cope with more and more difficult times. I help you feel empowered to support yourself and change your experience.

Testimonials

"The coaching Vikki offers is of incredibly high quality. It will support clients in managing their research timeline and prioritisation of tasks, in keeping a work-life balance, and helping prevent mental ill-health and enhancing self-esteem and self-efficacy"

Academic and mental health expert

UK University

"Vikki's group coaching has helped me a great deal in dealing with doubts and impostor syndrome... It has helped me focus on what is important and understand the research process in terms of balancing other aspect of life with work. I could go on and on, but I'm glad I've attended and always look forward to the next meeting."

Full-time PhD student

Engineering

"I’m really glad I took the opportunity to have this coaching. I had been made redundant and started a new job. The coaching sessions allowed me to manage this better then I would have otherwise. Vikki helped me realise that the feelings of others are not in my control, but my actions are."

MBA student and

 recruitment professional.

 Birmingham, UK

The PhD Life Coach is part of Wembury Coaching Ltd.

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127 episodes

This is the podcast for you if you are currently doing a PhD; are working with PhD students; or just living with someone who is on a PhD journey. The PhD Life Raft will focus on sharing insights and experiences around some common issues like anxiety, procrastination, precariousness, imposter syndrome, and work-life balance. We will talk to students, supervisors and experts in the field of wellbeing and mental health and share actionable tips and additional resources. Doing a PhD is tough. The PhD Life Raft is here to help you get through.

The PhD Life Raft Podcast Dr Emma Brodzinski

• 5.0 • 7 Ratings
• MAY 13, 2024

On Being a First Generation PhD Scholar with Nicole Patrie

Nicole Patrie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Safety and Justice Studies at MacEwan University, and a PhD student in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, specializing in Adult Education. Nicole has been involved in prison education at all levels: as a teacher, administrator, and now researcher, for over 15 years. Her research focus is on the role of education and learning in the criminal justice system.    In this episode Nicole shares her own journey as a first generation PhD scholar.   We talk about a range of challenges from practical resources to self-confidence.     We discuss hidden support systems and the importance of accessing the help you need.  Nicole encourages us all to ‘pay it forward’.   Nicole ends with an encouraging mantra that every PhD researcher needs to remember!   Contact details: website, email, social media https://nicolepatrie.weebly.com/ [email protected] @nicolepatrie.bsky.social  @patrie_nicole (twitter)   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

• MAY 6, 2024

Navigating US PhD Programmes as an International Scholar with Vicky Laina

Vicky Laina is a learning scientist with a focus on educational technologies in mathematics teaching and learning. She designs and studies learning experiences where the use of technology can support epistemic transparency and collaborative thinking amongst youth, with the goal of helping students reimagine what doing mathematics can look and feel like. Vicky has lived, worked and studied in 5 different countries and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria.     In this episode we explore the challenges and benefits of being an international PhD student.   Vicky shares tips about the application process and funding options.   She also opens up about the logistical problems of international study and how she navigated them.   We reflect on the cultural differences that may impact on your work but also on how the experience of studying abroad can enrich your journey.   You can make contact with Vicky here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasilikilaina/   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

• APR 29, 2024

Managing Your Supervisor with Gina Holmes

Gina Holmes has worked both in industry and academia - with over two decades of experience in Higher Education.  As well as her own research experience  she has worked with dozens of doctoral candidates and hundreds (maybe more) of Master’s students, supporting them to complete theses they are proud of and which enable them to move on in their career.     In this episode we discuss the relationship between the PhD researcher and the supervisor/supervisory team.   We explore the issues that may arise and how you might navigate them in a way that supports both your research process and your own mental health.   Gina shares advice about managing supervision meetings as well as inviting reflection on how the relationship between researcher and supervisor may evolve during the PhD journey.   You can find out more about Gina and her work at www.drginaholmes.com Follow Gina on facebook or LinkedIn:  www.facebook.com/drginaholmes  and www.linkedin.com/in/drginaholmes       For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

• APR 22, 2024

PhDs and Substack with Wafaa Aldhfairi

Wafaa Aldhfairi is a PhD candidate at UNMC, specializing in pharmaceutical sciences with a master's degree in the field. She's also the creator of the "Pharma Weekly Digest," a newsletter that shares the latest pharmaceutical news, making industry updates accessible to all.    In this episode we discuss the PhD journey, research and how substack can contribute!   Wafaa shares her experiences of how she has used substack both to inform and disseminate her PhD research.   We talk about the challenges of curating a newsletter alongside the PhD as well as the benefits of regular writing deadlines!   We open up into a consideration of how to contribute to the wider research conversation.   You can find Wafaa’s substack here:  https://pharmaweeklydigest.substack.com/   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

• APR 15, 2024

For PhDs Who Are Thinking of Leaving Academia with Naomi Tyrell

  Naomi finished her PhD in 2006, worked part-time and then full-time in commercial research and then re-entered academia as a Research Fellow at University College Cork, Ireland. She gained permanency in 2010 at the University of Plymouth, UK, but then decided to leave academia (again!) and started her entrepreneurial journey in 2019. She now runs Research Your Way Ltd, which provides bespoke research, evaluation and impact services to social purpose organisations.    In this episode we explore ‘alt ac’ career paths for PhDs.   Naomi encourages PhD holders to consider their skills and experience beyond academia, and suggests why their value may be higher in other sectors.   She shares her personal journey and highlights some options for researchers who want to continue researching but work outside of a university setting.   We end with a top tip on career planning.   You can make contact with Naomi here:   [email protected] Career Development Newsletter (subscribepage.io) https://www.facebook.com/groups/altaccareersuk/   For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

• APR 8, 2024

Optimizing Dissemination: Paving the Way for PhD Success with Amal Abuzeinab

Amal Abuzeinab, PhD is an architect, advisor, and academic at De Montfort University (DMU), School of Art, Design, and Architecture (ADA). Prior to joining academia, Amal practiced both in Sudan and UK.Amal is the Institute Head of Research Students – Institute of Architecture. Her leadership is guided and informed by the principles and practices of flourishing human from Positive Psychology. Amal supervises and examines Postgraduate researchers (PGRs) since 2016 focusing on Architecture, Built Environment, and related disciplines. She served as the Co-Faculty Head of Research Students (FHRS) for the Faculty of Arts, Design, and Humanities between 2017-2020.    In this episode Amal shares advice about disseminating your PhD findings.   She offers a ‘laddered’ process which will help you to build your confidence in discussing your research.   We also discuss how being strategic about your dissemination can help you to prepare for a successful viva.   Amal finishes with a top tip from her perspective as a PhD examiner on how you can assure your examiners about the quality of your thesis.       Amal has created a range of toolkits to enhance competence of both PGRs and supervisors - here are the links to two of them:    Links to open toolkits:   7 principles for PhD completion.pdf (edgehill.ac.uk) Checklist to write for publications.pdf (edgehill.ac.uk) For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com   If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft

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PhD Benefits Overview

The following benefits are available to PhDs at Johns Hopkins University.

PhDs are auto-enrolled into individual medical coverage. The plan is administered by Wellfleet and utilizes the Cigna PPO network of providers. Prescription coverage is included in the medical plan. For more information about the plan, please visit: Wellfleet Medical Plan – JHU Human Resources

To enroll dependents into medical coverage, please visit: https://students.care26.com/login

PhDs are auto-enrolled into individual level dental coverage. The plan is offered in partnership with Delta Dental and utilizes the Delta Dental PPO + Primer network of providers. For more information about the dental plan, please visit: Delta Dental Plan – JHU Human Resources

To enroll dependents into dental coverage, please visit: https://students.care26.com/login

PhDs are auto-enrolled into individual level vision coverage through EyeMed on the Insight Network. For more information about the vision plan, please visit: EyeMed Vision Plan – JHU Human Resources

PhDs at the University are required to re-enroll their dependents each semester (Fall/Spring) or each Term (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, and Term 4) for BSPH.

Effective 8/15/2024 , PhDs are eligible to be reimbursed for their dependent premiums if they enrolled a child or spouse/domestic partner that is not eligible to work in the US and does not have other insurance coverage. To complete the application for reimbursement, please follow this link.

PhDs submitting for reimbursement must do so within 90 days of payment and will need to upload a copy of their receipt for the student benefits office to review here .

As a PhD student, you can participate in a voluntary benefits program to purchase a discounted legal services plan. You can enroll during annual enrollment (7/1 – 9/15 each year).

The MetLife Legal Plan gives you access to a nationwide network of more than 12,000 attorneys, to help you and your dependents with vital legal matters such as estate planning, financial, and support with reproductive issues. You can receive a consultation over the phone or in person.

To enroll, please visit: phd.jhuvoluntarybenefits.com

As a PhD student, you can participate in a voluntary benefits program to purchase Pet Insurance. You can enroll in the program at any time.

Nationwide pet insurance helps you cover veterinary expenses so you can provide your pets with the best care possible without worrying about the cost.

For more information and to enroll into pet insurance, please visit: phd.jhuvoluntarybenefits.com

As a PhD student, you can participate in a voluntary benefits program to purchase Identity Protection. You can enroll in the program at any time.

With Allstate Identity Protection Pro Plus, you’ll get access to: identity and credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, social medical reputation monitoring, financial threshold monitoring, digital wallet storage and monitoring, data breach notification, and more.

For more information and to enroll, please visit: phd.jhuvoluntarybenefits.com

PhD students are eligible to be reimbursed for bus passes purchased through the MTA All Access College Program or through the U-Pass program. PhDs can be reimbursed for 2 passes at one time. Each pass is valid for 31 days. Reimbursement for passes will be processed through concur and must be submitted within 90 days of payment.

PhDs must opt-in to have their information shared with the MTA / U-Pass for discounted bus passes. To Opt-In, PhDs must complete this form.

To submit your receipt to Concur, please visit: https://login.johnshopkins.edu/concur

PhDs in full-time resident status will receive child subsidies of $4,500 per child per fiscal year for eligible children under the age of six (6) or $3,000 per child aged six (6) to eighteen (18), with a maximum of $12,000 per family per year.

Must be eligible dependents under the Student Health Benefits Plan (SHBP).

PhDs with adult dependents as defined by Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code will qualify for this benefit at a rate of $3,000 per dependent per fiscal year.

Dependents are defined as anyone for whom you provided more than 50% of the financial support for the year, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code, and who resides in your home at least one-half of the taxable year.

The subsidies will be paid in installments over the course of the fiscal year.

To apply for the PhD Dependent Subsidy, please complete the online application.

At the end of the application, you will be required to upload copies of your dependent verification documents (child’s birth certificate or passport that shows their date of birth, copy of J-2 visa with dependents name and date of birth, or copy of marriage certificate with spouse’s name and date of birth). Please upload dependent verification documents here .

Student Health & Well-Being (SHWB) Primary Care consists of three clinic locations (Homewood, East Baltimore, and Washington DC) that provide a variety of medical services for the evaluation and treatment of an illness or injury, preventive health care and health education to the Johns Hopkins University student and trainee population. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit: Primary Care (jhu.edu)

Mental Health Services supports the diverse community of Johns Hopkins University students and trainees through the provision of accessible, high-quality and compassionate mental healthcare resources. We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and prioritize these values in our approach to clinical care as well as every aspect of the work we do. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit: Mental Health Services (jhu.edu)

PhD students are eligible to receive no less than 8 weeks of fully-paid new child accommodations. For more information please visit: New Child Accommodations for Full Time Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Trainees (jhu.edu)

The following benefits are administered by JHU Benefits & WorkLife.

Locate Search Child Care by the Maryland Family Network   (eligible at any time)

Child Care Voucher Program (eligible as of the date of appointment, application required annually)

Child Care Scholarships to JHU Partner Centers (eligible as of the date of appointment, application required annually)

Please contact 410-516-2000, [email protected] or [email protected] if you have questions about these programs.

Former student heads to prison for life for killing University of Arizona professor

PHOENIX − A former University of Arizona graduate student was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of a professor on campus in 2022 .

Murad Dervish , 48, was found guilty of first-degree murder after he shot Thomas Meixner, head of the university's Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, on Oct. 5, 2022. The sentence he received Monday will put him behind bars for the rest of his natural life, plus 14 years, with no parole.

Last month, a jury also found him guilty of a slew of other charges , including one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of burglary and three counts of endangerment. Dervish was a graduate student who was expelled and prohibited from being on campus.

He was accused of threatening Meixner and other faculty and university staff for more than a year.

Dervish's attorney wanted his client to be found guilty but insane, telling the jury Dervish did not know right from wrong and was psychotic, paranoid and delusional. The prosecutor from the Pima County Attorney’s Office argued the murder was premeditated and showed threatening emails and evidence that Dervish planned to kill Meixner in the weeks and months before the shooting.

Family, university requested life without parole

During the sentencing, Meisner’s sisters, son and wife spoke about their experience, and all requested Dervish be sentenced to life in prison without a chance of parole. They spoke about how kind and intelligent Meixner was and how he was generous with his community.

One of his sons, Sean Meixner, spoke before the sentencing about his grief, sadness and hatred of Dervish, stating his life would never be the same without his father. He spoke about feeling as though he is waiting to die so he can hold his father again and be free of the "agony living in his absence."

“How could a man who devoted his life to God and others be taken from this life in the worst way possible, in pain and fear? Where was God in that?” he said.

Celina Ramirez, representing the university, said Meixner was a passionate, world-renowned scholar and kind mentor whose leadership resulted in the hydrology department’s high ranking.

She said the shooting has hurt the mental health of students and university staff, noting the challenge it is for many students and employees to return to campus.

“No legal punishment could ever be enough to fully atone for the intense grief and pain the defendant has inflicted upon Dr. Meixner's family, friends, colleagues, students, and the university community,” Ramirez said.

But Meixner’s sisters specifically criticized the university, as well as UA police and the person who sold Dervish the gun he used to kill Meixner.

“The University of Arizona failed my brother,” said Margaret Meixner, one of his sisters. "He loved and trusted the U of A, but that trust was misplaced."

She called the university’s police department incompetent and said the police and the university had her “brother’s blood on their hands.”

University police,  according to a letter by university president Robert Robbins , went to the county attorney’s office twice to seek charges against Dervish. The county attorney declined to press charges because of a lack of evidence.

In the months after the shooting, a faculty report found the university knew about the threats and failed to implement an effective risk management system to keep people on campus safe. Another  report , compiled by a consultant hired by the university, offered 33 recommendations for improving security.

Since then, the university has implemented numerous safety changes and updated safety communications. Meixner's family settled a lawsuit against the university for $2.5 million for failing to protect Meixner.

Dervish apologizes to Meixner's family but says trial was unfair

After Meixner’s family members spoke, Dervish addressed the judge over the objection of his attorney.

Dervish said he was pushed to speak because of the repeated mentions of him being a monster. Dervish spoke about how he had been enamored by the weather ever since he was a child and was so happy when he got into the University of Arizona.

“I felt I was in this new and magical place. I was going to study what I always wanted to truly study,” he said, adding that he fought addiction, homelessness and rejection by people in his life.

He said his heart broke for “what happened.”

“For them to lose him is just horrible, to his wife I don’t even know what to say,” Dervish said. “Just saying the word 'sorry' sounds dumb and ugly. It doesn’t fit … with what happened.” 

He also said “significant errors” were made during the trial, primarily by his attorneys. He noted the trial was not granted a change of venue and claimed the trial was unfair.

“I have yet to have a fair and impartial trial,” he said.

Pima County Superior Court Judge Howard Fell told him that he would have the opportunity for others to review whether the trial was fair.

“Right now, you are going to prison for the rest of your life,” Fell said.

Dervish threatened, harassed staff before the shooting

The prosecutor said that on the day of the shooting, Dervish entered the Harshbarger Building at UA shortly before 2 p.m. He chased Meixner down a hallway in the building and into a classroom. Dervish emptied his magazine, shooting Meixner 11 times.

Dervish then fled the building, police said. According to the complaint, police found Dervish driving on Highway 85 toward Mexico 30 miles south of Gila Bend three hours later.

Documents say Dervish refused to stop, leading police on a chase for 2 to 3 miles until his car was stopped.  

Dervish's behavior was well-known among members of the department and law enforcement before the shooting occurred. In the year before the shooting, Dervish reportedly harassed and threatened staff members working at Harshbarger Building.

Some of the threats were antisemitic: Dervish wished death to all Jews and accused Meixner of orchestrating a Jewish-led conspiracy against him, despite Meixner being raised Roman Catholic.

Dervish's attorney said his anger toward Meixner stemmed from a bad grade on a test.

Before his expulsion from the university, Dervish had been prohibited from stepping foot on university property. Pictures of Dervish were distributed throughout the department with instructions on how and when to call the police.

Additionally, entry passwords for rooms to which Dervish had access were changed.

After the judge handed down the sentence, the Pima County Attorney's Office released a statement saying County Attorney Laura Conover would bring red flag legislation back to the Legislature this year, following the wishes of Meixner's family.

“In honor of the family’s expressed wishes, and under her desire for a safer community, County Attorney Conover will bring her red flag legislation back to the legislature again next year, and for as long as it takes, to bring home common-sense gun safety reforms for a safer and healthier community," her office said in a statement.

Those laws, which have the backing of Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, allow courts to order the seizure of firearms from people who might be a threat to themselves or others.

Former Gov. Doug Ducey proposed a similar law, under a different name, in 2018 after 17 students and staff were killed in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. But the Republican's bill was rejected by the GOP-majority Legislature.

Reach the reporter at  [email protected] . The Republic’s coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. Support Arizona news coverage with a tax-deductible donation at  supportjournalism.azcentral.com.

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How researchers navigate a PhD later in life

• PMID: 38918623
• DOI: 10.1038/d41586-024-02109-x

Keywords: Careers; Lab life; Research management.

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• Strategic career building during your PhD: a timeline for maximizing your opportunities. Liston A, Makaroff LE. Liston A, et al. Immunol Cell Biol. 2023 Oct;101(9):793-797. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12668. Epub 2023 Jul 12. Immunol Cell Biol. 2023. PMID: 37436079
• Know the game: Insights to help early career researchers successfully navigate academia. Fisher JJ, James JL. Fisher JJ, et al. Placenta. 2022 Jul;125:78-83. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.10.013. Epub 2021 Nov 2. Placenta. 2022. PMID: 34743918 Review.
• How I run a lab and work as a PhD student simultaneously. Abushalbaq O. Abushalbaq O. Nature. 2020 Nov 26. doi: 10.1038/d41586-020-03358-2. Online ahead of print. Nature. 2020. PMID: 33244186 No abstract available.
• The mental health of PhD researchers demands urgent attention. [No authors listed] [No authors listed] Nature. 2019 Nov;575(7782):257-258. doi: 10.1038/d41586-019-03489-1. Nature. 2019. PMID: 31723298 No abstract available.
• Science PhD career preferences: levels, changes, and advisor encouragement. Sauermann H, Roach M. Sauermann H, et al. PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e36307. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036307. Epub 2012 May 2. PLoS One. 2012. PMID: 22567149 Free PMC article.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Education at a Glance 2019: OECD Indicators (OECD, 2019).

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Ccds outstanding phd thesis award 2024, congratulations to the following phd graduates for their achievement, for contributions to building generalizable solutions that can enhance the capabilities and applicability of aiot systems..

Dr XU Huatao  Building Generalizable Deep Learning Solutions for Mobile Sensing

This thesis signifies a significant leap in mobile sensing with deep learning. It introduces LIMU-BERT, a pioneering sensor foundation model adaptable to various applications, and integrates it into UniHAR, a universal learning framework that trains models across domains using physics-informed data augmentation. A notable innovation is 'Penetrative AI,' the first-ever application of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT for processing IoT sensor signals. This breakthrough enables LLMs to interact with the physical world, laying the groundwork for generalizable IoT solutions. The thesis's excellence is recognized by the SenSys 2021 best paper runner-up award and the GetMobile 2022 research highlight. Its models have gained nationwide adoption in Eleme, China's second-largest food delivery service. It also has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Altogether, this work substantially enriches the mobile sensing field, expanding both the scope and effectiveness of AIoT systems in practical applications. 

for contributions to advancing graph deep learning through innovative benchmarks, neural network architectures, and scalable frameworks

Dr DWIVEDI Vijay Prakash  Deep Learning for Graph Structured Data

This thesis marks a significant advancement in deep learning for graph-structured data which are ubiquitous in domains such as drug discovery, social networks, medicine and transportation. Addressing the inadequacies of traditional deep learning approaches for such data, the thesis introduces comprehensive benchmarks for assessing Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) across varied domains. A key contribution is the extension of Transformer networks, fundamental to ChatGPT, to graph domains, integrating graph-based inductive biases and positional encodings, thereby enhancing expressivity and generalization. His work also proposes novel techniques for learning distinct structural and positional representations in GNNs, boosting model capacities. Further, he develops scalable Graph Transformers that can adapt to massive graphs with billions of edge connections, employing efficient local and global graph representations and fast neighborhood sampling. Overall, this thesis paves the way for the application of GNNs in complex real-world relational data scenarios, significantly contributing to the field of graph representation learning.

for contributions to systems addressing efficiency and practicality issues of ML model tuning, training, scheduling, and deployment in large-scale clusters.

Dr HU Qinghao  Building Efficient and Practical Machine Learning Systems

Emerging ML technologies have empowered transformative applications, such as ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion. These breakthroughs heavily rely on advanced system support, encompassing training frameworks and cluster schedulers.  However, as ML workloads proliferate and billion-scale models surface, current systems fail to handle them efficiently. Qinghao’s thesis focuses on addressing efficiency and practicality issues with ML-tailored system designs. His research expands along two lines: (1) Efficiency. He pioneers system optimizations for both cluster and job levels. His ground-breaking work is the first to facilitate hyperparameter tuning for large models such as GPT-3. Through novel model scaling, fusion, and interleaving, he achieves two orders of magnitude acceleration. (2) Practicality. Most existing work targets excellent system performance while ignoring its complexity and usability. Qinghao first attains the state-of-the-art performance under the non-intrusive design principle in cluster scheduling systems. Besides, he crafts a unified framework to achieve transparent, performant and lightweight systems.

Prof Loy Chen Change (Jury Chair)

Assoc Prof Tang Xueyan

Assoc Prof Lam Siew Kei

Assoc Prof Zhang Hanwang

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Three Innovative Application of AI Awards from AAAI 2024

SCSE Team wins Distinguished Paper Award at Artificial Intelligence System with Confidential Computing (AISCC 2024)

2023 Google PhD Fellowship

SCSE graduate Dr Emadeldeen Eldele received the 3rd Prize in the 2023 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Prize Paper Award

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