Back in 2002 I pursued PhD to (a) get out of my old job, also a chance to (b) get out of Malaysia and basically to jump start a © new career in academia. I achieved (a) and (b) but not ©! I did finally get a PhD at Cardiff University but my interest in academia waned. By then I got my PR, a reasonably decent job, my kids are in college and I am 'tired' and 'middle-aged'! I'm just happy and contented and the challenge (to better myself career-wise) don't excite me anymore. Good luck to anyone wanting a PhD, but for goodness sake start earlier, perhaps in your late 20's or early 30's. A PhD takes at least 3 years, often drags on to 4 or longer. Ask yourself if you have the stamina and tenacity to sustain the long and often lonely struggle! Lol. Don't forget the impact on your finances as well. I was pretty lucky, I guess, being able to get a job less than a month settling in Cardiff.

the truth is the PhD is physically and mentally draining, especially the final two years. I kept having to write and rewrite my thesis. Viva was a disaster as the external examiner challenged my analysis and although I defended my analysis, he was adamant. The internal examiner protested to no avail. The result was I had to re-do my analysis using a different technique (which he recommended). I entered into a state of depression and nearly had a breakdown, 8 months after viva, I resubmitted the thesis with the recommended corrections and got through. The whole process was humbling, I fell down to earth....never recovered!

Teaching offers little rewards. PhD is a license to publish credible papers. The more you publish in key journals, the better your reputation and prestige. That's why where you got your PhD is important. Also the subject matter. Otherwise your PhD is just a piece of junk even toilet paper is worth more. At least you can wipe your backside with it!

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Added on April 15, 2011, 2:19 amThe key to getting to a good university is to write a good PhD proposal. Usually about 1000 - 2000 words. There are many good websites that can help you. A visit to Mabecs will be beneficial especially if you are planning to pursue PhD in Britain. They can offer valuable guidelines. The importance of a good proposal cannot be understated. You must aim to attract the best supervisors. Remember, your supervisor will later act as your future reference, not to mention you will also want to colloborate with him/her for future research and papers. Hence it helps to do some research on your potential supervisors. Understand what their interests are and read some of their papers. Then 'tailor-make' you proposal to match their broad interests. In the UK, and I am sure its the same in most good research based universities, publishing papers in quality journals are key indicators for higher rankings. Its really a cut throat business in academic world. There is a saying 'publish or die'.Thus, the supervisor is also keen to attract 'quality' students' whom they can do joint research with in view of future publications. Again if you are planning to study in UK, look out at the minimum the 'Russell Group' universities. These are the cream of British uni's as they get the most funding.

Of course, if all you want is a PhD and then 'balik kampung' to Malaysia merely to to teach, then any uni or supervisor will do. Most sponsored malaysians seems to follow the easy route. But I recon it is a waste of money and talent. Do your homework and get to the very best uni and supervisor you can get!

This post has been edited by malayantiger: Apr 15 2011, 02:19 AM

Wow, such an old thread, still some interest! I did Organizational Behaviour (HRM) at Cardiff Uni. My external examiner was from East Anglia. Even today I think he is just an egoistic shiat of a prof. Hopes he burns in hell for wasting one year of my life and the mental scar he left me.

My suggestion if you are ever thinking of PhD is to choose your supervisor wisely. Good luck!

I wouldn't say 'sad'. Traumatic probably especially when I am non sponsored and just spent GBP25k. And my supervisor(s), you get one main and two 'advisors' at Cardiff gave the all clear! What's you interest and where are you planning your phd? Local or abroard? Sponsored?