PHD ?!

Hi Bryanna, In response to your questions first, yes, you can apply for PhD research work however; the first thing is your interest. If you have passion and interest with necessary resources you can go for it. Secondly, you have to think of a particular topic and particular area of HR that you like to explore. Third, you will look for a supervisor at any of the universities offering the course. You can combine your work with the PhD but it is either you do part time job or you are in full time job and do part-time PhD. I hope this help. If you have further questions I will be happy to try my best in answering them to my best ability. Kind regards

Hello Bryanna, I completed my PhD three years ago, and I studied at Leicester Uni. I completed my studies whilst working full-time in our coaching and development business, and managing to have a life too! My research was in how leaders can foster empowerment in the workplace, which was (and is) a topic I am passionate about. At times in the years of study I had huge frustrations and what kept me going? Before I started I write down why I was doing it, what the study meant to me and how I hoped I and others would benefit. I also had clear agreements with my partner about domestics, time and how he could support me. Plus my tutor was great. I also gave myself little rewards for hitting milestones, and some weekends off. If you want to know more please do get in touch. Best wishes, Helen Askey

Helen, I hope you are well. I enjoyed your response to Bryanna's message just to let you know if there is what we can do together professionally. I have PhD in Management where I specializes on HR. Thank you

Hi Bryanna,

Firstly, congratulations! By the sound of it you thoroughly enjoyed yourself.

I have done an MBA (which is a level 7) and a level 7 certificate in strategic management and had the most fantastic time doing them. Both were part-time whilst working full-time.

My husband completed his doctorate four years ago; it took about four years because he was working full-time. It wasn’t easy and an awful lot of life was put on hold - no holidays, few evenings out, lack of socialising, etc - not to mention a shed-load of money. But if you are willing to make the sacrifice it can be done.

With a first degree you are dabbling in a wide spectrum of learning, then with a Master’s you are refining the range but going much deeper into it. With a doctorate your area of study is extremely narrow and you are digging down as deeply as possible - then going a bit further. After all, you are at the cutting-edge of learning. Whilst we both thoroughly enjoyed our respective MBA’s, doing the doctorate completely sucked all the joy out of learning for him; it really did become just a slog.

Why do you want to do it? If you are looking for a future in academia then it’s a must, and in some other areas having the title ‘Dr’ can be useful, but if it’s for the love of learning perhaps consider another level 7 in a different (but complimentary) area. Whatever you decide, good luck!

Hi Helen
That is really helpful thank you. It is encouraging that you were able to work and have a life too! I'll certainly get in touch soon - thanks again!

Hi Teresa
Thank you very much for your insight, it is interesting to hear that the doctorate sucked the joy out of learning for your partner- I will definitely take everything into account before making a decision. I actually hadn't thought about another Level 7 so thank you for that suggestion too.

Hi Bryanna, reading Teresa's really excellent post I think her husband's experience hits the nail on the head - if learning is your main objective then a PhD is probably not the route to take or at least not at this stage in your career. Not saying you shouldn't do it, perhaps keep on the back burner for another time and focus your energies on something else for now?

This is something that I have been very interested in doing. I was wondering how people were able to do it with a full time job. Not so much the research time, but the time at Uni for meetings etc.

thank you - my one big reflection is get used to asking for help, and then receiving that help.

Hi Stephanie, I selected a Uni where the majority of the input was via distance learning, and the very occasional weekend, as that was the only way I could manage my business and work with client etc.