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Returning to do a Postgrad (Phd)

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  • 09-03-2010 9:33pm
    #1
    nogoodnamesleft
    Registered Users Posts: 1,031 ✭✭✭


    Hi All,

    Im currently employed in a company specialising in Research and Devleopment in the telecommunications area. Been in the current position for the last 4 years or so. Have a great deal of experience in working in the telecommunications operations side of things in many diverse countries (Europe, Middle East, Asia, Asia - Pacific).

    In my degree in UL I achieved an A1 for my final year project in 2005. My supervisor offered me a funded research position for a Phd (which I turned down at the time :rolleyes:). Reason being that I didnt think it was the area I wished to persue at that moment in time I actually went on to do a taught postgrad (Gdip) in a business area and then went into the workforce into my current role as an engineer.

    My question is would it be common for past students at contact former lecturers after they have worked in industry with view to doing a Phd as I recon It has added to my skill set as opposed to taking away from it?

    Im aware that if I did get a second chance I would be on less money. Thinking rougly 22k ? Which I could get by on (no dependants etc) and im still relatively young (26) :-)


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    #2
    El Siglo
    Registered Users Posts: 3,803 ✭✭✭El Siglo


    Nothing wrong with contacting former lecturers, they'd be happy to talk to you. You've industry experience which is highly desired nowadays. The big thing is funding and 22k/annum isn't exactly guaranteed with the budget cuts (e.g. IRCSET only launched one round of calls this year which is over). I'd get in contact with your lecturer, see what way things are, maybe there's UL funding available.


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    #3
    sean_84
    Registered Users Posts: 116 ✭✭sean_84


    nogoodnamesleft wrote: »
    My question is would it be common for past students at contact former lecturers after they have worked in industry with view to doing a Phd as I recon It has added to my skill set as opposed to taking away from it?

    Im aware that if I did get a second chance I would be on less money. Thinking rougly 22k ?

    You have nothing to lose by contacting former lecturers anyway. I'd advise you to check out college/university websites which have departments in the area you want to work in, and see if any are looking for PhD students. I'd say there's not as many positions as there was 2/3 years ago, but there are still some.

    You can also just email people in universities if you see that they are working in an area that you are particularly interested in, but note that most PhD projects (in engineering/science anyway) are part of a larger project so you don't have full control over what exactly you research.

    Another option is to look at www.ircset.ie which give out 3-year scholarships to PhD students. The advantage of this is that you are providing your own income and therefore have more control over your research.

    I think your industry experience would be looked on favourably when compared to a more recent graduate. But to be honest, if you have been working in R&D for 4 years, a PhD may not have much advantage for you. Unless of course you want to work in academia.

    The normal stipend for PhD students is about 16/17k (you don't pay any tax on this) at the moment. You might hear larger figures but this often includes a part that goes to the university to pay your fees.


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    #4
    sean_84
    Registered Users Posts: 116 ✭✭sean_84


    El Siglo wrote: »
    IRCSET only launched one round of calls this year which is over

    I think there will be more calls for the industry partnership PhDs, where you have to get a company to agree to pay some of the scholarship.

    OP, It might be worth asking your current company if they would support this. You could also think about doing a part time PhD (probably take 6 years) but you could keep you current job.


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    #5
    nogoodnamesleft
    Registered Users Posts: 1,031 ✭✭✭nogoodnamesleft


    sean_84 wrote: »
    I think there will be more calls for the industry partnership PhDs, where you have to get a company to agree to pay some of the scholarship.

    OP, It might be worth asking your current company if they would support this. You could also think about doing a part time PhD (probably take 6 years) but you could keep you current job.

    Thanks for all the replies

    Wouldnt be possible with my current employer im afraid. Have unoffically looked into it. Also dont think it would be possible with what I have to do as part of my current job role as I have to work abroad from time to time. Used always find that routine was the best ways to advance in any project I have worked on.


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