What I did in the year between my Masters and PhD | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Lucy shares her transformative experience of taking a year out between her Masters and PhD, highlighting the value of gaining research experience and exploring different opportunities.

Key Insights

• 👨‍🔬 Taking a year out between a Masters and PhD can be highly beneficial in terms of gaining research experience and making one's CV stand out.
• 🥺 Networking with academic supervisors and utilizing their contacts can lead to valuable research opportunities.
• 👨‍🔬 Persistence and perseverance are key when searching for research positions, as responses may be limited.
• 💪 Building a strong CV with diverse experiences, such as working at different universities, presenting at conferences, and holding research positions, improves the chances of securing a PhD position.
• ❓ The year out provides an opportunity for personal growth and transitioning into adulthood.
• 🍳 Exploring different job opportunities during the year out can provide financial stability and a break from academia.
• 💍 Writing a paper or engaging in academic activities during the year out can help maintain academic momentum and prepare for the PhD.

Transcript

hey it's Lucy so I don't like to talk about myself too much on this channel but I've been asked by several people what I did in the year out between my masters and my PhD because they're thinking of doing the same and every time I describe the yes people I realized it was one of the best things I ever did for so many reasons so I thought I would re... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Lucy decide to take a year out between her Masters and PhD?

Lucy didn't initially believe she would get the marks to apply for a PhD, so she took a year out to make her CV stand out and gain research experience.

Q: How did Lucy find research opportunities during her year out?

Lucy asked her master supervisor for contacts in her field and was connected with an academic working on the Mars rover project. She also applied to various jobs and positions through online platforms and scientific magazines.

Q: Did Lucy face any challenges during her search for research positions?

Yes, Lucy faced limited success in receiving responses from academics. However, she persevered and eventually compiled a list of universities and academics to apply to.

Q: How did Lucy spend the second half of her year out?

After submitting her PhD applications, Lucy worked in a bank in Bristol for three months to earn money. During this time, she also wrote a paper based on her Masters, getting herself back into the academic swing of things.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lucy took a year out between her Masters and PhD to make her CV stand out and gain more experience in research.

• She worked on mapping hazards on Mars, which aligned with her skill set and allowed her to gain valuable research experience.

• Lucy also applied to various positions, including one with the British Antarctic Survey, and eventually secured a short-term research position in Leicester.