As part of my programme I enjoy the opportunity to share and discuss my research experience with colleagues, and the ability to approach other academics for their insight to various aspects of my work. But most importantly, the diverse number of internationally renowned scholars whom we have, as well as fortnightly research seminars with guest speakers from around the world, which have all helped me further improve myself as well as my career potential.
The main difference of a PhD with other degrees is that it is self-driven. You need to have the passion and motivation to power through the various stages of the PhD lifecycle. Not only this, the research is a turbulent environment. As such, you will be researching a topic for weeks, only to find out that it has just been published. So managing your expectations and your time are the biggest challenge. But if you are lucky enough to have a supportive supervisor, it makes a world of difference, especially when you can discuss with them and address any issues that may arise, while they guide your research career through their wealth of experience.
A PhD day varies, but generally, throughout the days you would be working in the office, conducting research, having an occasional discussion with a colleague, heading off to teach/attend a seminar, grabbing some pot noodle lunch (got to be economic!), rushing to meet your supervisor(s), perhaps heading off to the gym (or some other form of stress relieving sport), and maybe if you are lucky get home before sunrise, and put your head on the bed and perhaps even get a couple of hours sleep. I decided to undertake a PhD in this area as feeling passionate about a topic that could contribute to making a change to the world, a PhD and academic career felt like the most suitable position to be a change agent for the better. It might not be a superhero position, but bridging the gaps and having the conversations are key in instigating change, or at least the first step in the ripple effect.