Conversion to different field for PHD

monosharp

Hey lads.

Well, I'm 26, got a degree in Computer Science and curse the career advisers etc who persuaded me to undertake IT everyday.

I 'need' to get into another field, IT is definitely not for me.

So am I too old ?

And if I want to change fields, do I have to start from scratch, enter undergraduate from 1st year ?

I'm thinking of trying to get into history/archaeology. I realise my degree has nothing in common with them but they are what I am really interested in.

Thanks all.

Medievalist

If it's what you're interested in, then go for it! Although it's not going to improve jobs prospects, it definitely makes a difference to be involved in an area you have an interest in.:)

I think you may find it difficult to go straight into a history/ archaeology related PhD without any prior experience. Most Phd students in those areas go through a masters programme first. This is probably your best way to go. Check out UCD for evening certificate courses. That way when you apply for a course next year you could have a certificate under your belt as definite proof that you are interested in the area.

There are many aspects of the pre/ post excavation process in archaeology that require skills in computing. Have you considered perhaps doing a Masters in a field that links both your acquired skills and your interests? You could then move onto a Phd that had less emphasis on computing.


Is there any aspect of either discipline that you are particularly drawn to?

petethebrick

You won't need to do another undergrad course necessarily - a masters should suffice.
My degree was in computer science.
After a few years I did an MA in International Relations at DCU.
I'm starting a PhD this september.

mr.interested

monosharp wrote: »

And if I want to change fields, do I have to start from scratch, enter undergraduate from 1st year ?

It depends on the university. For instance, as far as I'm concerned, I couldn't do a MLitt/PhD in Economics in Trinity, because my BA is in Management. In DIT, on the other hand, I could do this. Yet in UCD without having a Masters degree I couldn't do a MLitt/PhD in Economics at all. (I will probably end up doing a Masters degree in economics-related field, Finance perhaps, from this September.) So the chosen university really matters. From my recent experience, I'd suggest to get in touch with as many universities as possible, because their rules really differ.

Also, if you want to do a PhD in DIT, you can apply and start doing it whenever you want, provided you pay for it by yourself. In contrast, in Trinity you have to stick with the academic year, so it's too late for doing a MLit/PhD on this academic year.

monosharp

Medievalist wrote: »

I think you may find it difficult to go straight into a history/ archaeology related PhD without any prior experience. Most Phd students in those areas go through a masters programme first.

Sorry this is what I mean, is it possible to go straight into a masters in another field (history) because of my undergrad degree (in computers)

There are many aspects of the pre/ post excavation process in archaeology that require skills in computing. Have you considered perhaps doing a Masters in a field that links both your acquired skills and your interests? You could then move onto a Phd that had less emphasis on computing.

What could possibly link both skills ? I would be very interested in that yes.

Is there any aspect of either discipline that you are particularly drawn to?

I've always had a deep interest in ancient history and I've read mountains of documents about various ancient cultures etc.

Doing historical/archeological digs.

I've quite open to something new, I just want out of the code monkey trap.

dazzday

There is no doubt computing skills are a valued asset in archaeology and related fields. The potential to computer model sites and structures, mapping and surveying using ArcGIS or similar, even basic logging and data recording...all areas which a compter degree would have a great advantage. Something along the lines of completing a History based Masters and then maybe a Phd in modelling of an archaeological site could be something similar to what you are looking for

My advice would be to contact various archaeology/history etc faculty members from various universities and discuss your situation. No doubt they would offer valued advice and see you with a valued skillset the vast majority of Historians would be lacking.

Sorry this is what I mean, is it possible to go straight into a masters in another field (history) because of my undergrad degree (in computers)

As was once told to me, too many students think that once they have a degree in one area they are limited to that field. Alot more emphasis is being put on interdisciplinary areas these days, eg Bioinformatics, that people with any degree are welcomed in a nother area if it can be shown that their skillset could be useful. For example I have friends who are studying Law after doing a degree in Physics. I also know of one Physics Phd supervisor considering taking on someone with a Photography degree for a project involving the highspeed capture of Laser-material interactions!

Dont be put off by entry requriments. Contact the co-ordinater, portray your passion, sell your skills, and have a plan of what you are hoping to achieve...you'll be pleasently suprised at how they will view you.

DJDC

It depends on the university. For instance, as far as I'm concerned, I couldn't do a MLitt/PhD in Economics in Trinity, because my BA is in Management. In DIT, on the other hand, I could do this. Yet in UCD without having a Masters degree I couldn't do a MLitt/PhD in Economics at all. (I will probably end up doing a Masters degree in economics-related field, Finance perhaps, from this September.) So the chosen university really matters. From my recent experience, I'd suggest to get in touch with as many universities as possible, because their rules really differ.

You have to ask yourself the question then, is a PHd in DIT comparable to one from Trinity when they have diverging entry requirements. The worry is you spent 3/4 years doing a PHd in DIT and then struggle to get jobs in a niche market (and economic PHds is very much one).

Medievalist

dazzday wrote: »

There is no doubt computing skills are a valued asset in archaeology and related fields. The potential to computer model sites and structures, mapping and surveying using ArcGIS or similar, even basic logging and data recording...all areas which a compter degree would have a great advantage. Something along the lines of completing a History based Masters and then maybe a Phd in modelling of an archaeological site could be something similar to what you are looking for

This is becoming an increasingly important area! The value of 3D modelling and surveying is becoming more and more appreciated. It would make for a fascinating Phd. Archaeologists/ historians are definitely looking to move reconstructions beyond artists paper sketches. The amount of information and data you could fit into a computer model is amazing. I think many universities would be very interested in something like that. There would be a definite potential for employment in that area I reckon.

LilMrsDahamsta

OP, have you looked at all at archival work and courses? I was at a post-doc careers thing recently where one of the speakers had done an Arts degree, a very, very esoteric PhD in Med/Ren History, and subsequently retrained as a library IT specialist in order to find a job. She said most of the people on the course were coming at it from the other angle, i.e. they had the IT skills but were looking to apply them to a new area. My point is that she is (or was at that time) working in one of the better known national libraries, combining the IT and historical interests.

Have a look at UCD Dept of History & Archives.