Motivation and Determination
A postgraduate research degree (especially a PhD) is often viewed as a stepping stone to a career in Higher Education. However, entering academia should not be seen as the 'easy option' on completion of your research degree, even though it can seem like the most obvious route to take. Ask yourself whether you really know what this career path involves and, more importantly, whether you have the motivation and determination to succeed in what is a very competitive area.
What does a career in academia involve?
If you decide on an academic career, you should note that it is unlikely (though not unheard of) that you will gain a permanent lectureship straight after your PhD. You are more likely to begin with one or more short-term contracts or research fellowships before obtaining a lecturing post. These may take the form of research assistant or fellow posts, where you are paid to work on a specific programme of research, or 'early career' or 'post-doc' fellowships, where you may have secured funding to develop your own research.
- What are 'early career' and 'post-doc' fellowships?
- What are the pros and cons of working in Higher Education?
- How do I decide whether academia is right for me?
- What does a Higher Education lecturer actually do?
- Do you know the difference between a Reader and a Lecturer? Do you know what makes a Professor? No? Try our academic 'jargon buster'