Unfinished PhD - job perspectives? - (Mar/17/2008 )
I will probably be forced to leave my current PhD position and my studies. I have
major problems with my supervisor as she has stripped me off projects and in
general acted very unfair, which in my belief is not a professional
behaviour and I am very dissapointed because I have invested a big part of
myself into this. I have no interest in searching for another mentor in this
department as I have lost all motivation to ever come near to it again. Only
one student finished his PhD in her group, 3 of them already left because of
her behaviour. I waited for 3 years now as I thought our relationship would
change, but after pleasing her in every possible way and giving all I got,
it is time to say No to this unpleasant day-to-day life.
What are my chances to find a job in industry? Do employers even have the sympathy for students that had major problems with supervisors and ahd to elave or do they only care that you never finished and that's the end of the interview?
major problems with my supervisor as she has stripped me off projects and in
general acted very unfair, which in my belief is not a professional
behaviour and I am very dissapointed because I have invested a big part of
myself into this. I have no interest in searching for another mentor in this
department as I have lost all motivation to ever come near to it again. Only
one student finished his PhD in her group, 3 of them already left because of
her behaviour. I waited for 3 years now as I thought our relationship would
change, but after pleasing her in every possible way and giving all I got,
it is time to say No to this unpleasant day-to-day life.
What are my chances to find a job in industry? Do employers even have the sympathy for students that had major problems with supervisors and ahd to elave or do they only care that you never finished and that's the end of the interview?
Hi,
After I read your story,I wonder if there's any other person would be as tough as you are.It's totally hard to survive with that kind of person.How did she managed to become a supervisor anyway?I had a friend whom had wasted 5 years before he quit PhD.His story is the other way around, he dumped his supervisor.Guess what, he is currently working in biotech industry.So, I don't think you'll have a problem finding a job.You know yourself better than anyone,especially your supervisor,she's nobody to judge you and tell other people about who you are.Another friend of mine had experience the same thing, he was sacked from the project and his scholar for masters was deprived.He also managed to get a job.I'm sure you'll also manage to get a job.Anyway,it's not the end of the world.Good luck!
Is there any chance you could write up what you have for a Masters degree? If so, you will get something concrete from this experience/nightmare.
Assuming you still want to work in science, make sure you can work out a professional way to explain why you have stopped the PhD. Employers won't be concerned too much if you can give a sensible explanation for something like this. On the positive side, you will have gained great insight in a pile of different techniques, as well as the skills to work you way around everyday problems.
Most important, don't diss your supervisor, no matter what they may have done! Employers will respect you much more if you can stay civil about your PI.
Thinking about your institution, is there anybody who you talk with? A PhD co-ordinator, perhaps. If three people have already left because of the PI's behaviour, maybe the academics can tell her to pull in her head and start acting better. All that is happening is the department will be getting a bad reputation.
Hey Smoochie pie,
Sorry to hear about your experince.
I have heard of 5 other such experiences. I know someone who left ehr PhD in 4 year. She is now working with Amgen. She was treated superior to a BS or a MS degree holder as she was a senior PhD student. So employers knew she is more experinced and skillfull as compared to a regular BS or an MS degree holder.
I am planning to apply to grad school for PhDs very soon. If you don't mind, can you please give me some advice?
Thanks and I really wish you all the best.
MM