Carrying out a Doctorate is an academic objective that is carried out after the studies of the Bachelor's degree. A doctoral student who gets a research grant for a period of time can fully concentrate on the goal of the grant during the period in which he has a source of income. But the number of aids is not infinite, you are not the only candidate and meeting the requirements of each call is not easy. In that case, it is usual to combine the completion of the thesis with the occupation of a job.
It should also be borne in mind that professionals can also decide to return to university to carry out doctoral studies at the age of 30, 40 or 50. In this case, it is common for the research project to be integrated into a professional career that also poses other responsibilities. how to collate PhD and work? En Formación y Estudios We give you four tips.
1. Plan a realistic schedule
It is recommended that the time dedicated to each objective be perfectly clarified. A calendar is a basic resource to visualize the schedule of the week. A person who works and studies at the same time must follow a routine that prioritizes the fulfillment of both responsibilities.
2. Create a link between both planes
The work and completion of the Doctorate are different areas. However, it is positive that you observe some relationship between the two. For example, a job offers a stable source of funding to someone who wants to concentrate on completing their doctoral thesis. Besides, the specialty of the job position may be directly related to the topic chosen for the thesis. In the same way, the title of Doctor is a merit that stands out in the professional curriculum.
It is a recognition that in the future can help you look for other opportunities. In addition, there are ingredients of the professional occupation that are essential in the academic routine of the doctoral student: perseverance, patience, learning, concentration, discipline, motivation, commitment, the pursuit of excellence and attention to detail.
3. Solve your doubts with the thesis director
The feeling of loneliness and disorientation can arise during the research process. Even more so when the doctoral student compares himself with other colleagues who are fully focused on carrying out their project. Nevertheless, each researcher has their own circumstances and, generally, the external circumstances do not determine the degree of viability of the idea.
The most important thing is that you find an action plan adapted to your reality and your situation. For example, it is important that you reflect on how many hours per week you can dedicate to the thesis (including the weekend). Also, talk to your thesis director to resolve any doubts that the challenge of working and studying at the same time raises.
4. Do not postpone the objectives set in the thesis
It is important that you commit to the research as much as you commit to the job. The professional duty is transferred to the academic field. Sometimes, the usual mistake of not meeting the time limits set in the investigation occurs because it is considered that the thesis calendar is more flexible than the working day. Nevertheless, Frequent non-compliance with the goals set makes the final horizon of the defense of the project seem more distant. And, consequently, demotivation grows to the point that some students abandon the thesis before finishing it.
How to combine PhD and work? Do not lose sight of what your main motivation is in the long term. Why do you want to do the research?