#Phd as a working professional salary

[aimlayresearch]

PhD for Working Professionals: A Comprehensive Guide

Pursuing a PhD is a significant academic and professional milestone, often associated with research, academic, and an in-depth contribution to a specialized field. PhD for working professionals, embarking on a PhD journey comes with its unique challenges and opportunities. This guide explores how working professionals can successfully integrate doctoral studies into their lives, highlighting benefits, strategies, and options tailored to their circumstances.

Why Pursue a PhD as a Working Professional?

Career Advancement: A PhD can open doors to leadership roles, academic positions, or specialized career opportunities in research and development.

Skill Enhancement: Doctoral studies refine critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are invaluable in professional environments.

Passion for Knowledge: Many professionals pursue a PhD to delve deeper into a subject they are passionate about, contributing new insights to their field.

Increased Credibility: Holding a PhD can enhance your professional reputation, especially in industries where advanced expertise is valued.

Challenges Faced by Working Professionals

Time Management: Balancing work responsibilities with the demanding requirements of a PhD program is often the most significant hurdle.

Financial Constraints: Tuition fees and research expenses can be daunting, especially without employer support.

Work-Life Balance: Managing professional, academic, and personal responsibilities can be stressful.

Access to Resources: Limited access to university resources like libraries and labs can slow research progress.

How to Choose the Right PhD Program

Flexible Scheduling: Look for programs offering part-time, online, or hybrid options that allow you to continue working while studying.

Relevance to Career: Choose a research topic that aligns with your professional goals to ensure immediate applicability.

Accredited Institutions: Ensure the program is accredited and recognized in your industry or field.

Support Systems: Consider programs with robust support structures, including academic advisors, peer networks, and access to resources.

Strategies for Success

Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve with your PhD, both academically and professionally.

Time Management: Use tools like calendars, task managers, and prioritization techniques to balance your commitments effectively.

Leverage Employer Support: Discuss potential sponsorships, flexible working arrangements, or sabbaticals with your employer.

Build a Support Network: Connect with peers, mentors, and academic advisors who can guide and motivate you throughout your journey.

Stay Consistent: Dedicate specific hours each week to your research and writing to maintain steady progress.

Financial Assistance Options

Employer Sponsorship: Many companies provide financial support for employees pursuing higher education, especially if the research aligns with business objectives.

Scholarships and Grants: Explore scholarships specifically designed for working professionals or part-time students.

Teaching or Research Assistantships: Some programs offer part-time roles that provide financial support and academic experience.

Government and Private Funding: Look for grants and loans tailored for doctoral students.

Top Fields for PhD Programs for Professionals

Business Administration: Ideal for professionals aiming for executive roles or academic positions in business schools.

Engineering: Suited for those in technical roles seeking to innovate or specialize further.

Healthcare and Medicine: Focused on advanced research in medical science, public health, or healthcare management.

Education: Perfect for educators aiming to influence curriculum development or take on leadership roles.

Technology and Data Science: For professionals in IT, AI, or data analytics, a PhD can lead to groundbreaking innovations.

Success Stories

Many working professionals have successfully completed their PhDs while maintaining their careers. For instance, Dr. Sarah Thompson, a software engineer, pursued her PhD in artificial intelligence part-time, contributing groundbreaking research to her company’s AI projects. Similarly, Dr. Rajesh Kumar, a healthcare administrator, used his doctoral research to implement effective patient management systems, earning him a promotion to a national leadership role.

Conclusion

A PhD for working professionals in India is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. With careful planning, the right program, and robust support systems, you can achieve your academic and professional aspirations without sacrificing your career or personal life. Whether you aim to advance in your current role, shift to academia, or contribute new knowledge to your field, a PhD could be the transformative step you’re looking for.

[historicity-was-already-taken]

To younger folks looking to do masters degrees in fields like library science, museum studies, and public history:

With the accelerated death murder of the Humanities and ongoing attacks on federally funded archives and museums, you’re about to be in competition with a fuckton of PhDs, AND newly unemployed seasoned professionals. For entry level jobs.

Heck, you’ll be in competition with me: a professional with 2 masters degrees, 10+ years of experience in her fields, and a prestigious book deal under her belt. And im in competition with the PhDs.

It was hard even before this shit got off the ground, and now we’re all up a creek.

Idk what the solution is and I don’t want to tell yall to give up—we do important work!—but I also know you have expenses like rent and groceries and basic needs stuff, and it’s really hard to get those with a salary of $0000/yr + student loan debt.

ETA: tbh I think it’s deeply unethical* for universities to even offer those programs rn, but hey gotta get that sweet sweet tuition money

ETA 2: when I was a fresh faced 22 year old just starting my gradwork, I really resented the older students who warned me off the path. I’ve become what I once hated, alas.

*good nuance on this in the notes, courtesy @eastern-bloc-party

[sunshine-theseus]

Photo Roulette | Chloe Kelly x Reader

Words: 1.6k Summary: Media day has Chloe finally revealing her relationship. Warnings: Angst, fluff, suggestive themes (I know degrees like PhDs take super long but for the sake of this story please either pretend they don’t, or that she is super smart and managed to cut the time in like half.) Requested by - @charligrantismygirlfriend

After graduating from Oxford with a bachelor’s degree and PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry, I made the move to Manchester as a clinical biochemist. Falling in love with a professional footballer was not on my list of things to do when I moved, but when a new work colleague insisted I take their extra ticket to a “derby match” as they called it, I took the chance to broaden my non-existent Manchester social circle.

And somehow, I caught the eye of the blonde forward. The number 9 jersey found it’s way into my hand with a signature and phone number and by 7pm that night, I had a date set up.

We went on a few before Chloe and I made anything official. And with making it official, came a set list of rules regarding our relationship and her work, number one was that it didn’t exist to fans. Well, it did, but no one would know who the mystery girl was. It was a tough rule to follow, it meant whenever we hung out, we had to be hyperaware of our levels of affection and what we discussed. Dates had to be at home or in a very secluded corner of a high-end restaurant with a name no one knows how to pronounce, because that means no one there would care who we are.

I was, and forever will be grateful that those places weren’t an issue for us. Both with rather lucrative professions, my starting salary slowly increasing the longer I stay, and her’s naturally growing with the popularity of the game. It also meant it was easier for us to find a more private area to buy a house, 1 ½ years without a single issue of fans knocking on the door or press waiting for some big news story to break. The perfect paradise.

No one knew who the famous Chloe Kelly is dating and had no way of finding out. Until media day.

-

“Have fun! I won’t be finished at the lab until late, so maybe we’ll get takeaway for dinner?” I kiss Chloe goodbye as I pick up my keys and bag from beside the door.

“For sure! Have a good day staring at cells. At least it’s not jail cells.” I chuckle and make my way out.

My day is in fact consumed with studying pathogens within blood and other bodily fluid. It’s nearly 6pm when Filipa taps me on the shoulder, breaking my concentration and reintroducing me to my surroundings. She helps me pack everything away, we say our farewells and I head home, picking up a vegetarian pizza on the way.

“How was media day?” I ask, plopping down on the couch next to Chloe, who rests her arm around my shoulders.

“Bloody weird as usual. I did this “go through your phone” thing, but it was all good fun. I did some mini games with Yui as well. She wants us to come over for dinner again sometime.”

“Absolutely. I miss her oh my god.” I take a bite of the pizza and rest my head on her shoulder, images on the telly flashing in front of us, neither one paying attention.

“How was your day at the lab Dr Spencer Reid?”

“You’ve been watching Criminal Minds again?”

“Mhm.”

“Spencer and I are two different types of doctors.”

“Mmhm.”

“I mean we both have the honorifics but his is like, not the same. Well it is but… never mind.” I can see Chloe’s lip twitch upward as I try to explain and lightly nudge her.

“I love listening to you get defensive about your title. You deserve it more than anyone in the world.” Her lips press gently to my hairline, then to my cheek, and finally land on my own lips.

“Plus, I love calling you doctor, it’s kind of hot.” My face flushes and I smack her arm.

“Behave!”

“Sorry… doctor.” To make it brief, the night didn’t end there. It ended much, much later, with both of us panting, the cotton sheets covering her soft skin while I splash my face with water in the ensuite.

~~~~~

I don’t give the results of Chloe’s media day another thought for a very long time. Until a month later when Fillipa, in similar fashion to the day of filming said content, breaks me from my work and places her phone on the desk in front of me.

I give her a rather confused look, but she just points to the screen and presses play.

“Well, the next part of Unlocked is one of my favourite bits; Photo Roulette.” The guy who sits next to Chloe explains the rules.

“Fillipa what is this?”

“Just keep watching.” I watch as Chloe scrolls through the thousands of photos stored on her phone, until he tells her to stop.

Her finger lands on a photo, one that no one can see yet, and she lets out a hearty laugh.

“’S it a good one?” he claps his hands together and waits to see the results. There are a few moments of silence before Chloe explains the picture, showing it to the host.

“It’s a picture of my girlfriend, Y/n. I was trying to teach her football and she comes out in this goofy old kit of mine that’s like 4 sizes too big for either of us, socks rolled all the way up with a huge grin on her face.” The smile that shines on Chloe’s face as she recounts that day makes it hard for me to feel the anger boiling in the pit of my stomach. The picture shows up on screen, taking up the whole space, and now the secret is revealed to everyone who we worked so hard to hide it from.

“Is this the secret girlfriend you’ve been hiding the identity of for over 2 years? You finally decided it’s time.” He lets out a laugh after the comment, but I can see the recognition in her eyes and the smile fades from her face. She doesn’t say anything.

It takes me 32 minutes on average, to drive home. On any other day. But when I get into the car, I have to decide whether I should take significantly longer, or cut the time in half, to confront my girlfriend with my findings.

I arrive home at 5:21. With the combination of leaving work a few minutes early, and the somehow blessed lack of traffic, it’s nearly 15 minutes earlier than usual.

“You’re home early!” a cheerful shout echoes down the hall, blissfully unaware of the rage bubbling beneath my skin.

“Just thought I’d get home before the fans tracked me down and swarmed me.” I seethe through my teeth as I kick off my shoes and make my way toward our bedroom.

“What d’you mean?” it’s almost precious, the confused look and the head tilt that greets me.

“Well now that everyone knows who I am, I didn’t want to risk being seen.” I see the moment of realisation.

“Oh fuck I completely forgot! I didn’t mean to I swear. I’m so sorry it just slipped out.”

“How do you slip up like that Chlo? That was our one agreement, our one rule. Fans would not know. God I’ve seen how cruel people are to player’s partners, I’ve seen couples break up because of fans. Chloe what the fuck!” I fall forward onto the bed and scream into the pillows.

“Well you never asked how I feel about having to hide my girlfriend from everyone! I get you want privacy and security of fans not knowing but I want to be able to celebrate with you after wins, or just rest in your arms after a loss, without worrying if someone will see. I want to be able to take you to big games and pull you onto the pitch and kiss you in front of everyone and show them how much I love you. It’s not fair that I have to pretend you mean nothing!” A tear leaks from my eye, and I soon start to sob. My shoulders shake and I can feel the puddle of tears get soaked up by the pillow.

I feel the dip of the bed beside me and Chloe’s arm wraps around me while her lips press light kisses against my back.

“I’m sorry. I want to be there for you too. Show the world I love you. I’m just scared. I’ve never really been seen by people outside of academics. I’m scared to just… be seen.” I roll over and pull Chloe down to rest her head against my chest, running my hands through her hair, untangling the small knots.

“I will love you no matter what. If you decide to continue keeping it private or if you, break up with me.”

“Chloe I will not fucking break up with you. I think- I think I want people to know. I want to love you properly.” Her head tilts up and I lean down, pressing a kiss to her lips.

~~~~~

“Chloe Kelly takes a shot… AND IT GOES IN. SHE SCORES THE WINNER IN THE 92ND MINUTE!!” I yell from the friends and family section as Chloe practices shots in front of me.

She turns dramatically toward me with a glare on her face, but I poke out my tongue and she breaks out into a smile. She makes the short jog over to me and pulls me into a kiss. A rather passionate one if you want to be specific. I grab her by the shirt and pull her close, kissing her harder as people around us jokingly cheer.

“See you after the game baby.” she pecks my lips once more before running back to her teammates who clap her on the back and tease her.

“That’s my girlfriend!” I scream and point, and the same people laugh along with me.

Thank god for media day.

[percheduphere]

people saying, oh it wasn't intended from the beginning so it wasn't intentional thus has to stay fanfiction bug me. like, shows can develop organically based on chemistry. they can surprise you and take you in a direction that wasn't planned but now just works. like, fucking, chandler and monica wasn't planned from the beginning! but the actors had chemistry and the writers tried it out and it became iconic. you don't throw something away just because it surprised you instead of being pre-planned; you cultivate whatever gold you find!

With Hollywood entertainment in particular, I think there is a lot of ignorance regarding how the creative process, production process, post-production process, and business all work. It is readily apparent that in Hollywood, there are many hands in the kitchen when it comes to creating a movie, documentary, or show. The "Original Intent" argument is weakest when it comes to Hollywood art, and in fact fails to be a viable argument in multiple areas. I will discuss how the "Original Intent" argument fails in Hollywood in more depth under the read more, using what I know from having worked in the industry myself as a writer. And to be honest, the fact I have to pull my private professional history out online, just to prove I'm not being delulu when it comes to the importance of queer subtext in film, pisses me the fuck off.

To be clear, since this whole discourse mess on my Tumblr is likely the result of someone thinking I'm an anti-sylki: I AM NOT AN ANTI. I have an extensive analysis on Sylvie as an integral character to the Loki series, Sylki in canon, and her relationship with Mobius here.

I agree with you: a lot of amazing art deviates from the original intention, especially writing. If deviating from original intent in the writing process did not exist, we would not have DRAFT REVISIONS, we would not have IMPROV, we would not have EDITORS (whose entire job hinges on giving the writer not only grammar corrections, but feedback on how to IMPROVE character, plot, and pacing, which inherently means making changes from the original intent!). This is to say nothing of the thousands, if not tens or hundreds of thousands, of media scholars--with actual PhDs--who spend years of their lives performing meta-analysis to write academic papers on subject matters like this. Papers that become formal publications and contribute to how queer history is taught in universities! This is no different than academic scholars analyzing women and race representation and resistance in film. Why should analyzing queer representation and resistance in film be treated any less?

LET'S TALK ABOUT ORIGINAL CREATIVE INTENT VS POWER HIEARCHY & POLITICS IN HOLLYWOOD

For context with respect to this ask, a different Tumblr user critiqued against queer subtext in one of my posts using the "original intent" argument for the Loki series and Lokius specifically. By this logic, if original intent is always honored, then the original script for Loki's S2E5 (written by Eric Martin) would not have been NUKED by the executive powers that be at Marvel. [source] But no, the original intent was not honored, it was rejected. So how does one square the primacy of original intent with original intent being rejected by people who are not the artist but the people who manage Disney's finances?

In television, "Executive Producer" (i.e. Tom Hiddleston, Michael Waldron, Eric Martin, etc.) is a title that can be given to a writer or actor who has more creative say in the execution of a story than a regular staff writer or actor on crew. It also indicates that the writer or actor is in a much higher salary range compared to their professional peers. It does NOT mean the same thing as a CORPORATE "Producer" of Kevin Feige's level, who ultimately has the FINAL SAY on what does NOT end up on the cutting room floor. The corporate Producer must take into account the wishes of corporate's shareholders and board of directors, who are often multi-million if not multi-billion global investors who need the distribution of the product to succeed internationally in countries like China, which is very anti-LGBTQAI+. This is how a script like Eric Martin's S2E5 can be nuked and the writer can be contractually gagged from talking about its specific contents by Disney, lest they be SUED TO HELL for breaking their non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

This doesn't even take into account politics.

In 2020, Ike Perlmutter, Chair of Marvel, "gave $575,000 to Trump For Victory, $35,500 to the Republican National Committee in April, $5600 for Texans For Ronny Jackson in February. 2019 saw him donate $248,000 to the Republican National Committee, $466,100 to Trump For Victory, $5,600 to Donald Trump For President." His wife, Laura, mirrored those donations. "In late 2016, he also gave $5,000,000 to the Great America PAC." [source] Ike was only recently laid off from his position in March 2023 [source]. Perlmutter was in a power-struggle at Marvel with Kevin Feige for years. Feige was promoted to Chief Creative Officer in 2019, which brought the power struggle to a head, ultimately contributing to Perlmutter's departure.

There is also Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, who was famously quoted during the Writers Guild of America strike for saying, “It’s very disturbing to me. We’ve talked about disruptive forces on this business and all the challenges we’re facing, the recovery from COVID which is ongoing, it’s not completely back. This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption”

This is the worst time in the world to negotiate to pay your writers, YOUR CREATIVE LABOR FORCE, who entertained millions of people while they were stuck in their homes for 2 years, fairly?

And these are just two men in executive power at Marvel and Disney. We're not even talking about all the other board members and shareholders. You think Tom Hiddleston, Michael Waldron, and Eric Martin have any real power compared to these guys? They do not. They are peons by comparison. And these artists (despite their "Executive Producer" title) are always at odds with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), who are ultimately not artists but FINANCIERS.

Here's another quote from a studio executive that occurred during the writer's strike:

"Receiving positive feedback from Wall Street since the WGA went on strike May 2, Warner Bros Discovery, Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Paramount and others have become determined to “break the WGA,” as one studio exec blatantly put it.  

To do so, the studios and the AMPTP believe that by October most writers will be running out of money after five months on the picket lines and no work.

“The endgame is to allow things to drag on until union members start losing their apartments and losing their houses,” a studio executive told Deadline. Acknowledging the cold-as-ice approach, several other sources reiterated the statement. One insider called it “a cruel but necessary evil.”" [source 1] [source 2]

Fortunately, this negative press and the WGA members' solidarity led to the WGA getting everything they demanded. I still have friends in the industry, specifically in the WGA and MPEG. A lot of them were indeed starved out. My friend who's a film editor is still unemployed because pre-production has only recently started to ramp up again and her profession is all in post. She has to wait for production to catch-up and finish in order to get work.

If the AMPTP is willing to use clearly unethical tactics to underpay their writers and actors (don't forget the SAG-AFTRA strike that joined later), do we really think members of the AMPTP (the studio execs) are willing to honor artists' original intent if the original intent may be "offensive to some viewers" and therefore can potentially cut into their financial bottom line?

We're not naive. We know the answer to this.

OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH, KILLING EVE, AND GOOD OMENS

But what about OFMD, KE, and GO? These shows are on MAX, BBC, and Amazon Prime respectively. These corporations have a different branding image than Disney. Disney touts itself as "family friendly"; (read: on-screen LGBTQAI+ affection between two lead characters is "not family friendly"). MAX and BBC's branding type also affords them the luxury of creating content for niche audiences. Disney, on the other hand, makes additional revenue through using their plethora of licenses to make toys, additions to their theme parks, and other merch. If a parent is offended that a canonically queer character like Loki has romantic love not just for Sylvie but also for Mobius (a same-sex relationship), what are the odds of parents like them not buying Disney's merchandise? We can apply this same question to Star Wars, Pixar, and any of Disney-branded animation or live action movies. How deeply can audience offense potentially cut into Disney's bottom line? If there were no discrimination taking place, we would have LGBTQAI+ representation through a lead character in any one of their licenses already. We do not, and that is a huge red flag.

In addition, these entertainment corporations (who do not tout themselves as "family friendly") generate other sources of revenue elsewhere. Netflix generates international revenue through the production of international programming like "Squid Game" and other K-dramas such as "The Glory" or Mexican shows including, "The Surrogacy" and "Haunted: Latin America". MAX is struggling. They were bought out for that reason. With AppleTV and Hulu, their target audiences are more diverse, they offer a variety of media product, and their business strategy is ultimately different from Disney. All of this grants them more freedom in what kind of characters they choose to represent, including LGBTQAI+ characters.

Remember House and Wilson from House M.D.? That show was on FOX. We know the political alignment of FOX. Dean and Castiel from Supernatural? WB Television. Both shows came out before streaming became dominant, and thus, these shows had to cater to anyone who might happen to land on their channels. When the market demands that you cater to the widest possible audience in order to generate the largest revenue, the creatives are forced to create relatively conservative artistic product. Hence, creative censorship and our long history of queer subtext.

At Nickelodeon, the artists actually had the support of corporate to move forward with Korrasami because the final season Legend of Korra was only available online. It did not air on their channel. If that had not been the case, corporate would not have approved Korrasami. However, that approval was contingent upon the artists being subtle subtle about Korra and Asami's relationship. Even in this canon ship, the animators relied on subtext for queer romance.

Not helping Disney's case is the cancellation of "The Owl House". Why was "The Owl House" canceled? It didn't fit Disney's "brand". [source]

THE FAILURES OF THE "ORIGINAL INTENT" ARGUMENT IN HOLLYWOOD

The "Original Intent" argument fails when it comes to art in Hollywood because:

Original Intent can change, and often does change, during the creative process. This applies to all forms of art, not just Hollywood.

Multiple artists are involved in pre-production, production, and post-production. At any point in this 3-part process of filmmaking, original intent can be changed for a variety of reasons.

Studio Executives, Boards of Directors, and Corporate Shareholders have more power than the artists in Hollywood. If they think a product will not make money, they will order changes accordingly.

Disney specifically touts itself as "family friendly". Its lack of a lead character (in ANY of its live-action licenses) being in an openly queer relationship with someone who presents as the same sex, is the direct result of not wanting to lose conservative audiences.

Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) are common in Hollywood and prevent artists from providing specifics regarding original intent. This is done not only to safeguard corporate's intellectual property (IP), but to also safeguard their public relations image.

THE ORIGINAL INTENT ARGUMENT WEAPONIZED

The "original intent" mindset can be either very naive or very cynical, depending on the thinker's motives for choosing this belief. Naive, in that thinking creative purity actually exists (it does not) or that oppression does not still occur in Hollywood (it does). Cynical, in that either the thinker doesn't believe in artists intentionally finding ways around mass produced arts' media censorship, which has in turn created our rich history of queer subtext in film, OR the thinker wants the "original intent" argument to invalidate a change they do not like.

The last motive is the same strategy used by fans who reject Miles Morales as being a real Spider-Man. The same strategy fans use to deny that Shuri is indeed the new Black Panther. Both are tactics used to mask racism and sexism beneath the veneer of "creative purity". Fans who have internalized racism, sexism, or queer-phobia may also use this tactic at a subconscious level to protect themselves emotionally from disappointment. Finally, there are fans who use this argument to invalidate another ship, usually a queer ship that cannot be formally canonized because of corporate studio power.

Regardless of the reasoning, using this argument is frequently insidious because it perpetuates straight white male dominance in media representation.

PERSONAL LIVED EXPERIENCE

I'm an old poc queer and have worked in Hollywood long enough to know that the writers' original vision rarely ever--IF EVER--pans out as originally intended. If you ever sit through a movie and wonder why the story feels so weird in certain parts, I can guarantee you that about 2/5ths of the time, a corporate producer stepped in and messed with the original story in post-production (usually in an poor, over-worked editor's dark editing bay) and ordered reshoots the director may not have agreed with.

I've also worked in the industry long enough to know that it is an absolutely toxic work environment in which women, people of color, and queer people still struggle to get a creative foothold anywhere. My first experience pitching a script to a prospective agent involved being asked to meet at a hotel for drinks. We didn't talk about my writing at all. What I thought would be a pitch meeting was actually the writer's version of the "Hollywood casting couch". Yes, I was propositioned. No, nothing happened to me. I walked out. This happened to me in June 2008. It was not my last experience. The "Me Too" movement that came years later in 2017 was in response to situations I have encountered like this.

Those of us who succeed are very rare, and 97% of the time, the executive staff is very, very white and male. There is absolutely oppression and exploitation of all sorts still happening in Hollywood. I fucking lived it and continue to have nightmares about it.

QUEER SUBTEXT STILL EXISTS

Thus, to deny queer subtext's validity as an art form and to only accept the words of those who are either in power or limited in what they can say because of those in power, undermines not only the artists' efforts to tell the story they want to tell but cannot tell explicitly, it also undermines queer joy and queer resistance in cinema. And yes, sometimes those artists are cis straight white male allies who want to tell these stories because they simply make sense for the characters. These people are the artists, not the financiers.

It's more mature to embrace, or at least leave alone, the loud joy others experience from shipping and performing meta-analysis instead of publicly pissing on them with the profoundly weak and ignorant argument of "original intent". Don't mess with me on this. The number of scripts I have worked on that completely warped from what I wanted, and then to have my writing credit removed or stolen, still makes me sick. Yes, I'm bitter, but I'm also glad I left.

[sienaunfilteredtarot]

Which style do you like better ( comment 1 or 2 with Next in Career reading)

Next in Career (how would you like to receive this message: bullet points or paragraph form?)

ONE:

Pile One: Page of Cups + 9 Pentacles + 7 Wands + Lovers (1976) 

Page of Cups (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) 

Naturally creative 

New to the field, may have transitioned from a different skillset 

Going in a little naive due to being new to the field or lack of experience

Innocence carries a cup-half-full attitude 

Naturally optimistic about your prospects (Elle Woods in law school)  

Work brings love and friendship 

Represents creative industries, spiritual sector, or working with children in some capacity 

9 of Pentacles

There is a potential for you to attain high earnings within this career field 

Having a lot of experience with a particular skillset 

Turning a situation around, showing growth and maturity 

Inherently valuable; you are willing to adapt, and your thorough and organized nature makes you an asset to any company 

Worked hard to get to where you are 

Likelihood to be an overnight success  

7 of Wands: Mars in Leo 

With the 9 of Pentacles, getting PTO or using it, parental leave, leave of absence, and sabbatical. 

Confident teacher

Excellent public speaker; can hold and maintain engagement within a room well. 

Taking action that benefits you, even if it means rejecting a project—set boundaries. 

Getting another degree 

Masters/PhD (graduate studies), undergrad, associates, certification, GED 

The Pair or The Lovers 

It can be a powerful team—meeting colleagues or having coworkers you vibe well with 

Being able to have trust with someone at work 

Working in pairs/having a partner at work 

Strong relationship with a mentor or advisor 

Lovers is representative of Virgo, and therefore Mercury vibes 

Information exchange (meeting to discuss a potential raise or time off)

Interviewing for a new position 

In need of work that is naturally mentally stimulating 

Advertising/Marketing 

Administrative, personal, and/or virtual assistant 

Project management

Requires you to multi-task; work with a lot of moving pieces 

Working with animals

Educating others about something 

Sales or publishing 

Facilitating communication btw parties or clients (divorce attorney) 

It also reinforces the element of choice in the matter; your experiences bring a fresh pov 

TWO: The Page of Cups denotes Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces energies. Some of you are naturally creative and have careers in the arts (writing, illustrating, photography, design). Some of you may be in the wellness or spiritual sector, and some work alongside children in some capacity. Others are entirely new to the field or may have transitioned from a different skill set. You might be going into this situation a little naively due to being new to the field or lack of experience. Be careful with whom you trust and guard against those who seek to take advantage! This innocence carries a cup-half-full attitude; it inspires an Elle Woods type of optimism. This card also invites new relationships, including friendships or a romantic partner, to develop at work.  

The 9 of pentacles card conveys the potential to attain a high salary and excellent benefits within your career, as there is much room for professional growth. This card might suggest that you have a lot of experience in a particular skill set (for example, being a pastry chef or photographer). With the Page of Cups, you might be transitioning to a different career field (for example, teacher -> dean) in which you'll apply skills you possess while simultaneously learning to cultivate new skills. Additionally, this card can talk about having the means to turn a situation around, echoing the optimism within the Page of Cups. You are inherently valuable, as you can adapt. Your thorough and organized nature makes you an asset to any company (including your own if you're self-employed). You have worked to get where you are; some may even get a lucky break, quickly finding success in your arena. 

The 7 of Wands, which represents Mars in Leo, suggests taking action that benefits you, even if it means rejecting a project and setting boundaries. This card indicates confidence and the ability to stand your ground. It may represent a rest period when paired with the 9 of Pentacles. As this is a general reading, it could include several things, including PTO, maternity leave, a leave of absence, or a sabbatical. It could also convey pursuing further education, such as an undergraduate or graduate degree, associate’s, certification, or GED. It also indicates being a confident teacher with a powerful talent for public speaking, as you can maintain engagement within a room nicely. Creative movements may pique your interest, such as learning to be a Zumba, Pilates, pole, or dancing instructor or a personal trainer. 

The Lovers card suggests that what's next in pile one's career may be the beginning stages of a strong partnership, a fruitful collaboration, or you may be connecting with colleagues or coworkers that you can genuinely be yourself around, fostering trust and teamwork. Some of you may be required to work alongside a partner or within a small group of individuals with a similar skill set. Others may be under the guidance of a mentor who will provide helpful insights and support in your professional journey. Regardless, these relationships will be crucial. 

Fields that might intrigue Pile One include career paths related to communication, such as advertising, project management, or being a personal and/or virtual assistant, often necessitating a strong ability to multitask. These roles not only offer professional growth but also provide opportunities for personal development. Furthermore, the lovers card is emblematic of mentally stimulating work, as its ruler, Mercury, governs information exchange. This can include careers in education, sales, or publishing. The Lovers card highlights the agency you have in making choices that leverage your unique perspective.

[captain-lovelace]

Hey I saw your rb, I really want to get into paleontology, specifically working in a paleontology lab doing fossil prep and such. I have no idea how to go about this, I was home schooled and worried I'd not even be accepted, I also do not know what steps to take to get on the path to studying this. I also am mid 20s and worried it is too late. So many people are discouraging to paleontology related fields, saying it is worthless to even bother bc "They're not needed and you won't ever get paid enough to live" etc

Any advice? Thanks!

So also based on your other ask it seems like this is a three part question: first, is studying paleontology worth it; second, how’s the money; and third, how would someone with your background start studying paleontology professionally.

With regards to the first question, I’ve wanted to be a paleontologist all my life and I’ve heard the same things you have about it not being worth it, about paleontology being a useless career/unnecessary, etc. To be blunt, the people who say these things overwhelmingly have no clue what they’re fucking talking about. Paleontology is the foundation upon which our understanding of modern evolutionary biology is built, paleontology is the source of a huge chunk of our understanding of mass extinctions, fossil data is necessary for understanding the relationships between modern species, etc. We absolutely do need people studying paleontology, and it is possible to have a career in it!

With that said, the pay is on par with grad student salaries in general— aka, pretty bad. Academia is kind of unique (derogatory) in terms of structure; usually you’re a grad student for 4-8 years depending on how long your PhD takes + if you do a master’s, then after you get your PhD you have a postdoc position for a varying number of years, then you move on to start your own lab as an assistant professor. After that, you can get tenure and move on to being an associate professor, and then in some cases eventually a full professor. (This isn’t the only path, obviously, but it’s the one I know the most about.) Your pay as a grad student and as a postdoc is likely not going to be great! In my master’s program I was paid around $32,000 a year, and in my upcoming PhD program my estimated pay is around $45,000; I did not have to pay tuition in either program. The livability of a grad student wage is going to also depend on location. Living on a salary like mine would be different in California versus in Alabama, for example. Also, like I said in my tags, I highly recommend going to a grad school where the academic student employees are unionized! Finally, this is US-based— I don’t know how it is outside the country.

About the last part of your question: I am not well-versed in non traditional education, and my advice should be taken with a grain of salt. With that said, if you have no college education, your first step might be getting an undergraduate degree, and I highly recommend looking for people who have gone through the process of getting an undergraduate degree in their late 20s and asking them about the process! Other than that, I advise looking at the geology departments of universities in your area to see if anyone is studying paleontology in them, just to get an idea of where and with whom you might like to study eventually. Usually there will be at least a couple of people with a paleontological focus.

The last thing I want to say is that even though my advice has been geared towards academia, there’s a lot of different ways to get involved in paleontological work. One thing that I really recommend doing is looking up volunteer opportunities at natural history museums in your area! That’s where I got my first experience in paleontological work, and it was really helpful for getting to where I am today. Also, read papers you find interesting! Even if you decide you don’t want to do paleontology as a career, that doesn’t mean it can’t be a part of your life.

[literallymechanical]

Hi! So, I'm planning to start (and hopefully finish) a Master's degree in nuclear engineering or physics within the next few years. I have a few questions, if you don't mind. a. How to pick a school / schools to check out (I've been in mostly unrelated industry for the last couple of years), b. would it be worth it to take a professional hiatus to focus on school, if I could afford to do so by tightening my belt? (mostly-Bs stressed out undergrad but I worked ~30 hr work weeks at the time)

With the disclaimer that my undergrad is in mechanical engineering (and creative writing) and I'm halfway through a materials engineering master's, so this may not be as applicable to physics/nuclear: Go for it, if you can afford it.

I'm doing a professional hiatus for grad school myself, and I regret not doing it sooner. In a lot of engineering fields, a Master's gets you like an immediate $5 or 10K salary bump and a fast-track to the good promotions. Not to mention that you'll learn a ton. Grad classes are much denser than undergrad, and that's a good thing.

For a master's, pick schools based on the curriculum and find one that has intro material you're at least a little bit familiar with, and advanced material that will give you something new and real to learn. You should be able to find course requirements online. Potentially even individual course materials, depending on the school. Learn as much as you can!

And a rule of thumb: a standalone masters in engineering is good – a couple of friends of mine also have masters' in nuclear engineering and have done quite well for themselves – but in the sciences, you probably want a PhD.

For a PhD, look for a specific department and/or lab, not a school. The school is less important than the research – getting stuck with a professor you hate at a prestigious school is a bad time.

[mali-umkin]

'Compared to a fellow PhD student who happens to be a native English speaker, you’ll need 91% more time to read a paper in English. This equates to an additional three weeks per year for reading the same number of papers.

The next big hurdle comes when trying to publish your own paper in English.

First, you’ll need 51% more time to write the paper. Then you’ll likely need someone to proofread your text, such as a professional editor.

That is if you can afford them. In Colombia, for instance, the cost of these services can be up to half the average monthly salary of a PhD student.

The bad news doesn’t end there. On average, your papers will still be rejected 2.6 times more often by journals.'

Such an excellent article. Academia needs to do better and offer extra support for those who pursue research in their second or third language - but even that will never be enough, and I dream of a world in which we would not be at a significant disadvantage if we chose to publish in another language than English.

I am tired, tired of English hegemony. There is a difference between the very much needed tool of a Lingua Franca and dramatically reduced linguistic/research horizons as a result of language being a barrier and not a bridge in academia. The academic world caters to English speakers only and that needs to change in order to produce actual enhancing knowledge.

[braintapes]

man i know ive been reblogging a lot of posts abt how awful the job hunt is but truly. genuinely. the whole thing is just so utterly thoroughly completely fuckin Borked dude. fully just Does Not Work

job listings are either fake, scams, inaccurate to the role they want filled, poorly written, written by someone who doesn't know what the job is supposed to entail, are either way too short or way too long, and/or by and large don't include the actual information you actually for real actually NEED to know whether the job is worth your time to apply for, such as, i dunno, the salary. your actual everyday job duties and what you Actually need to perform them. an absurd amount go out of their way to specify just how able bodied you need to even Think about Breathing on the job listing (very) even when that's blatantly false because fuck anyone with a disability i suppose.

assuming some of the jobs are, in fact, real jobs that someone would like filled by a human person to perform a series of tasks, you still may not have a good selection. depending on location you could be out of luck for any halfway decent work. there's a billion positions open for things you Know you can't do. the jobs all seem to come in the following flavors: entry level (but you must have 1-2 years experience in this field) entry level (must have a masters degree a phd and 6-10 years experience) and entry level (must have 5 years experience and be willing to lift an entire house's weight in manual labor every single day with no break)

if you don't have experience having a job well. sucks to suck i guess!

but whatever. okay. find some promising (read: seemingly not fake/scam) listings. go to apply. upload a resume you spent hours poring over to make sure ATS wouldn't mangle it while also keeping it professional and with all the relevant information to make you look as good as possible to prospective employers. the company website then takes the resume you uploaded (in the correct format) and dumps it in the trash. manually write down all of the information in their little text boxes please! oh and also make an account with all your personal information to even have the privilege of getting to fill out this application. mandatory work history information required. fill out this questionnaire - just be sure not to step on the mines and answer a question Wrongly. "why do you want to work at this company?" write an essay for us detailing the most personal aspects of yourself. dont click the buttons that masquerade as offering accommodations and diversity inclusion because theyll actually just set all of this on fire if youre actually honest. grovel in our uncaring text boxes about how badly you want to be part of our team and how YOU can best serve US you worthless dog. slowly crawl your way out of the last circle of hell so you can be done with the application. click the last button. write the last bit of forced-smile text so your teeth dont feel like they're going to shatter apart anymore

wait for weeks. then for months only for a rejection long since youve moved on. assuming you get a response, as the standard now seems to be ghosting. repeat process again and again and again and AGAIN. endlessly. scraping and clawing and begging. youre not grovelling enough. youre not kneeling and cowering and pleading hard enough. the people in your life who Do have jobs cant seem to understand why youre so distressed by it all because, well, They got jobs so Why Can't You? repeat process. repeat process. repeat process.

on a rare occasion, get a response (!!) and make it to the interview stage (!!!!!) which as it turns out is not actually a discussion about the job and how youd fit into it but a vibes check where you prostrate yourself once again to the hiring manager and they decide if they personally like you enough as someone they'd want to hang out with on the weekends to let you in. high chance to fail this immediately if you are some kind of minority, but because they dont want to get in trouble for discrimination, they instead Make Up A Reason not to hire you which then makes it perfectly fine because you can't prove the real reason. browse through your email to see the other rejections. repeat process.

remember that for every application you send out youre competing with hundreds of other desperate people who just need some money to god damned Survive. try to go find advice and find that everything is so heavily weighted in favor of employers it might as well be a fucking black hole (which would be apt considering everyones applications magically disappear) so the only advice anyone can give is pithy little platitudes about how you should look and act and speak and dress and behave and make sure youre grovelling! have you tried grovelling!! are you doing that enough because if you arent well it really is your fault isnt it then!

god and like even if you GET a job it's still a shit job and there's still no ladder any more. there's no Progression it's just moving horizontally across various shit jobs. even the "easiest" jobs to get hired at, customer service jobs, retail, food service, etc, are so terrible you arent treated like a human being by basically anyone from customers to managers. you arent allowed to sit down. you need to grovel STILL. to your boss. to customers. constantly. for 10 dollars an hour, probably less depending on location. but you have to agree to work all their horrible shifts for 10 hours a day on your feet no sitting 2 15 minute breaks fuck man. fuck. FUCK. WHAT IS ANYONE SUPPOSED TO DO AT THIS POINT?????

[dramaticartisan]

WAIT lemme check smthn

That's 67.1k php... roughly ⅓ more than the avg monthly salary of a psychologist here

My man that's enough to cover necessary expenses and more for 3-4mo here, that could feed a family of 6 here for months and that's considered LOW PAYMENT by the funny green man?

Brb gonna tell one of my financially struggling friends to put their editing skills to work if they can get paid like that online and get a chance to get scooped up by the loud british boy, or just get paid to do their hobby in general for probably more than working a month as a professional in 3-5yrs rn

It could actually help save up for their masters and phd if they can't go to a public college with free tuition

tommyinnit r u hiring editors cause im a stan and i would love u be an underpaid worker at the innit corp. sweat shop

[anikgarai]

Unlock Your Data Science Career with ExcelR’s Comprehensive Course in Bhopal

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, data science has emerged as one of the most sought-after fields. With the increasing demand for skilled data scientists, pursuing a comprehensive course can be a game-changer for your career. ExcelR’s Data Science Course Training in Bhopal stands out as a premier choice, offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are essential for success in this domain.

Why Choose ExcelR for Data Science Training?

ExcelR has established itself as a leading name in data science education, and its course offerings in Bhopal are no exception. Here’s why this program is worth considering:

Industry-Relevant Curriculum: The course covers the entire data science lifecycle, from data collection and cleansing to building prediction models and data visualization. It includes modules on statistical analysis, machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing, ensuring that students gain a holistic understanding of the field.

Certifications from Renowned Institutions: ExcelR partners with prestigious institutions like IIT Madras and Steinbeis University, Germany. Students can opt for advanced certifications that enhance their credibility in the job market. The IITM Pravartak certification, in particular, offers 15+ hours of live interactive sessions with IIT professors and an optional 2-day campus immersion at IIT Madras.

Experienced Faculty: The trainers at ExcelR are working data scientists with over 15 years of experience. Many are alumni of IIT, IIM, ISB, and hold PhD qualifications, ensuring that students receive top-notch guidance.

Blended Learning Model: ExcelR offers a flexible learning experience with classroom sessions, live virtual classes, and e-learning options. This blended model caters to diverse learning preferences and allows students to learn at their own pace.

Placement Support: ExcelR has a dedicated placement cell that partners with over 150 corporates. The institute provides extensive support, including resume building, interview preparation, and LinkedIn profile optimization, to help students secure jobs in multinational companies.

Course Details and Offerings

The Data Science Course in Bhopal by ExcelR is designed to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the industry. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

Duration: 6 months

Training Hours: 15+ hours of immersive training at IIT Madras

Interactive Sessions: Live virtual sessions conducted by IIT professors

Certifications: Options to choose between courses with or without IITM certification

Without IITM Certification: ₹54,999 (discounted from ₹68,999)

With IITM Certification: ₹75,999

Payment Options: Avail monthly EMI at zero interest rate on all major credit cards

Global Presence and Local Accessibility

ExcelR’s global presence ensures that its quality education is accessible to students worldwide. With offices in strategic locations like the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and Malaysia, ExcelR caters to the needs of students, professionals, and corporates across the globe. In India, ExcelR offers its courses in multiple cities, including Bhopal, making it convenient for local students to enroll.

Career Opportunities and Salary Trends

The demand for data scientists is on the rise, with numerous job opportunities available in various industries. According to NASSCOM, there are 1.4 lakh job vacancies in data science, AI, and big data roles. The average salary for data scientists is among the highest in the industry, making it an attractive career choice. ExcelR’s placement support and comprehensive training ensure that students are well-prepared to capitalize on these opportunities.

Why Data Science Certification Is Worth Pursuing

Data science certifications are highly valued by employers and can significantly boost your career prospects. With digitalization creating vast amounts of data, the need for professionals who can analyze and derive insights from this data is growing rapidly. A certification from a reputable institution like ExcelR can set you apart in the job market and open doors to exciting career opportunities.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to launch a successful career in data science, ExcelR’s Data Science Course Training in Bhopal is an excellent choice. With its comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, and strong placement support, this course provides the perfect platform to acquire the skills and certifications needed to thrive in the industry. Whether you’re a fresh graduate or an experienced professional looking to upskill, ExcelR’s program can help you achieve your career goals.

For more information, visit Data Science Course Training in Bhopal.

[scholarshipme]

University of Twente, Netherlands PhD Scholarship 2025 in Geo-Artificial Intelligence

Study Grants for International Students Are you passionate about using artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle global environmental challenges? The University of Twente (UT), a leading university in the Netherlands, is offering an exciting PhD position in Geo-Artificial Intelligence for Mapping Vegetation Dynamics. Applications are open until March 5, 2025, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on climate change and environmental sustainability. This four-year PhD program is part of the EARTHONE Horizon Europe project, which focuses on developing innovative data-driven technologies to analyze vegetation seasonality and its response to climate change. By joining this project, you will play a key role in advancing solutions for environmental resilience. Degree Level The scholarship is available for PhD-level programs at the University of Twente. Available Subjects The PhD position focuses on the following fields: - Artificial Intelligence - Geography - Geo-Artificial Intelligence About the PhD Position The University of Twente is seeking a motivated PhD candidate with a Master’s degree (MSc) in geospatial sciences, computer science, environmental sciences, or a related field. The successful candidate will: - Develop and apply geo-artificial intelligence methods, including spatiotemporal machine learning techniques. - Study vegetation dynamics at regional and local scales. - Integrate climate simulations, remote sensing data, and ground observations to model the effects of extreme weather events and land-use changes on vegetation. Benefits of the Program Why Choose the University of Twente? The University of Twente is known for its High Tech Human Touch philosophy, combining advanced technology with a focus on societal impact. As a PhD candidate, you will benefit from: - A gross monthly salary ranging from €2,901 in the first year to €3,707 in the fourth year. - Additional financial benefits, including an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. - A multidisciplinary and international academic environment with access to state-of-the-art research facilities. - A structured professional and personal development program through the Twente Graduate School. - A lively green campus with excellent working conditions and a supportive community. - Opportunities to collaborate with experts in climate modeling, forestry, soil science, and agronomy. Eligible Nationalities The scholarship is open to students of all nationalities. Eligibility Criteria To apply for this PhD position, you must meet the following requirements: - Academic Qualifications: - A Master’s degree (MSc) in geospatial sciences, computer science, environmental sciences, or a related field. - Technical Skills: - Strong programming skills (preferably in Python). - Experience with machine learning models and geospatial modeling. - Interdisciplinary Collaboration: - Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment. - Language Proficiency: - Excellent command of English. - Fluency in Dutch or willingness to learn is a plus. - Additional Skills: - Knowledge of climate change, ecology, or phenology is advantageous but not mandatory. Application Procedure To apply for this PhD position, submit the following documents before the March 5, 2025 deadline: - A motivation letter (one page maximum) explaining your interest in the topic and what you bring to the team. - A Curriculum Vitae (CV) (including academic grades, references, and publications if applicable). - A short research proposal (two pages maximum) outlining your ideas for phenological modeling within the EARTHONE project. - A brief description (250 words) of your most significant academic achievement (e.g., MSc thesis or final project). Interview Process: - First-round interviews are scheduled for March 19, 2025. - Second-round interviews may follow a week later. Conclusion This PhD position at the University of Twente offers a unique opportunity to work on a globally relevant project while developing advanced skills in geo-artificial intelligence and machine learning. With competitive financial benefits, a supportive academic environment, and the chance to contribute to climate resilience, this is an ideal opportunity for aspiring researchers. Don’t miss the deadline: Applications close on March 5, 2025. Start preparing your application today! For more information, visit the University of Twente’s official website. Read the full article

[honorarydoctorate]

PhD Full Form: Meaning, Importance, and Career Benefits Explained

A PhD is one of the highest academic degrees awarded by universities across the world. If you have ever wondered about the PhD full form and its significance, this article will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what a PhD entails, its benefits, and the process of obtaining this prestigious qualification.

What is the Full Form of PhD?

The PhD full form is Doctor of Philosophy. The term “Philosophy” in PhD does not refer to just the field of philosophy but originates from the Greek word “philosophia,” which means “love for knowledge.” A PhD is a research-based degree that signifies expertise and in-depth understanding of a particular subject.

Why is a PhD Important?

A PhD is a highly respected qualification in academia, research, and professional fields. It demonstrates an individual's ability to conduct independent research, analyze complex problems, and contribute new knowledge to their field.

Some key reasons why a PhD is important include:

Academic Excellence – It establishes expertise in a specific subject.

Career Advancement – A PhD enhances job opportunities in academia, research, and industry.

Contribution to Knowledge – PhD holders contribute original research that benefits society.

Higher Salary Potential – Many industries offer better salaries to PhD graduates.

Recognition and Prestige – It is one of the most respected qualifications worldwide.

How to Pursue a PhD?

The process of obtaining a PhD varies by country and university, but it generally involves the following steps:

1. Completing a Master’s Degree

Most universities require a Master’s degree in a relevant field before enrolling in a PhD program. Some exceptional students may directly enter a PhD program after a bachelor’s degree.

2. Choosing a Research Topic

A PhD student must select a research topic that contributes new insights to their field. This is a crucial step as the topic should be relevant, feasible, and of academic significance.

3. Finding a PhD Supervisor

A supervisor guides the research process, offering mentorship, resources, and expertise. Choosing the right supervisor can significantly impact the success of the PhD.

4. Conducting Research

PhD students conduct extensive research, collect data, and analyze findings to support their thesis. This process may take several years, depending on the complexity of the subject.

5. Writing a PhD Thesis

A thesis is the core of a PhD. It documents research findings, methodologies, and conclusions. A well-written thesis should contribute new knowledge to the academic community.

6. Defending the Thesis (Viva Voce)

After completing the thesis, PhD candidates must defend their work before a panel of experts. This process is called viva voce and is essential for earning the PhD degree.

Career Opportunities After PhD

A PhD opens doors to various career opportunities in academia, research, and industry. Some common career paths include:

Professor or Lecturer – Teaching at universities and colleges.

Research Scientist – Conducting research in various fields such as science, medicine, and technology.

Industry Expert – Working in sectors like pharmaceuticals, finance, IT, and engineering.

Government and Policy Roles – Advising on policies in education, healthcare, and technology.

Entrepreneurship – Many PhD holders start their own companies or consultancies.

Top Countries Offering PhD Programs

PhD programs are available worldwide, but some of the best countries for pursuing a PhD include:

United States – Offers extensive research opportunities and funding.

United Kingdom – Home to prestigious institutions like Oxford and Cambridge.

Germany – Known for free or low-cost education in public universities.

Canada – Provides excellent research infrastructure and funding.

Australia – Offers high-quality education and post-study work opportunities.

Conclusion

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is the pinnacle of academic achievement and provides numerous career opportunities. Whether you aspire to become a professor, researcher, or industry expert, earning a PhD can be a rewarding journey that enhances your knowledge, skills, and professional growth. If you are passionate about research and knowledge, pursuing a PhD could be the right path for you.

[sana143sblog]

In higher education, there’s rarely any crossover between the two. Business students spend their days mastering accounting, management, and marketing, while pre-med students cram chemistry and biology to prepare for the long haul of becoming doctors.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Louis Bourget is experienced in both fields. Practicing in the scattered and often sparsely populated communities of Canada’s Atlantic provinces, he has established practices across several facilities, including the Gander Family Dental Clinic in Newfoundland and three facilities in Nova Scotia: East Coast MediCentre, Truro Dental Specialists, and the South Shore Regional Hospital.

To make it work, he has to be at the top of his game as both a surgeon and a businessman. His medical training includes two master’s degrees, a PhD, a medical degree, and fellowships around the world.  But he’s had to learn the fine details of business success through practical, real-world engagement with the regional medical services marketplace.

Dr. Bourget shared some insights from his career of building successful medical practices across the Maritimes.

Q: How did you approach building the business side of your practice?

Dr. Louis Bourget: I approached it by asking a lot of questions of a lot of people. Unfortunately, during our medical training, the business portion of owning or running a practice is not touched on. Many of us rely on professionals like accountants or office administrators to handle the business aspects of establishing a practice. So it took many nights of reading up on subjects like human resources, financial planning, and bank requirements. For many practitioners, a business proposal is something that has never been discussed during training or planning a career.

Q: What were the biggest surprises and challenges you experienced in establishing your business?

Dr. Louis Bourget: The biggest challenge in running a business, especially at first, is just the lack of necessary income combined with the big, sometimes unforeseen expenses of running a day-to-day practice. As medical practitioners, we’ve come from a hospital-based training where all the equipment is provided, to now having to purchase our own equipment, lease a space, hire staff, and take on management tasks. It can shock you when those month-ends come and you haven’t generated the income you need to meet expenses. You’re trying to pay those off while carving out a personal salary, which can be nonexistent at first. This is often a one-year reality for many of us. The last one to receive an income is the surgeon, which is very foreign to all of us, especially coming from a hospital residency, where the public purse pays for everything.

Q: Did you have a model or template you used to guide you in setting up your practice?

Dr. Louis Bourget: Not really, no. Within oral maxillofacial surgery, there are a lot of different kinds of practices, with different scopes and business models. Many of us marry hospital and private care. It also depends on where you trained. For example, in Nova Scotia, the oral and maxillofacial surgeons who work in the hospital have the benefit of having public dollars subsidize their private care. Yes that’s right, public care subsidizes private care. Meaning, surgeons work in a hospital clinic paid for by the government, all the staff is paid by the government, and all the consumables are paid by the government – so all generated income goes directly into the staff surgeon’s pocket. In that model, the income-to-expense ratio is very different from a practitioner who has to pay his own money for equipment, staff, consumables, etc. The reality of the situation becomes evident quickly when you’re out in the real world, starting to practice your craft. Other university groups across Canada have both a public clinic where public care is to be done, and they also own a private clinic where private care is practiced.

But many OMS surgeons only have a private practice, and that is a choice. In that model, all expenses are paid by the money the surgeon generates, and if there are too many expenses, the surgeon just has to take a lesser salary.

Now, if an OMS has a private practice but also wants to work in a public hospital, doing major surgeries that are remunerated at a lesser level than private care, the surgeon still has to pay for all the overhead of their business when they’re not in the office. So in this case, private care is actually subsidizing public care. Often, the hospital remuneration is 30-50% of what a surgeon can make privately, but the expenses remain the same.

So you can see there are a lot of different ways to approach an OMS practice. The template for a dental practice is often given by companies that help set up the business.  For OMS surgeons, they’re often advised by consultant firms to drop the public hospital side of the practice due to the low yield vs the high expenses to cover.

Q:How much, if at all, does medical training prepare you to succeed in the business world?

There is no training on the financial aspect during our residency, or even our undergrad training. For many of us, this is something that we have to learn or study on our own. I was fortunate to have a father who was involved in business, where at a young age I was helping him write computer programs for his construction company. Through this, I got an early understanding of income loss statements, balance sheets, working with bank loans and repayments, as well as accounts receivable and accounts payable. This has helped me make better business decisions and to structure my clinics properly. I’ve also applied this business training to the setting up of a non-profit organization for my sister who is a nun and a physician practicing in Brazil and Africa. My continued growth in business training has been invaluable in understanding and establishing the principles for all the adventures I’ve been involved with.

Q: What percentage of your time is spent on each of these elements of your business: 1) operational details; 2) strategic planning; 3) marketing; and 4) legal issues?

As I have been often told, “You have to work on the business as well as in the business.” Outside of the 50 hours of clinical work a week, I spend approximately the same amount of time on strategic planning, marketing, legal issues, and operational details. I have a great staff, including a talented bookkeeper, an accountant, and lawyers who have helped me shape the practice that I have. But even though I have great staff, I still have to be involved in decision-making, it’s a must. I need to look at the financials on a weekly basis in order to make sure the practice is going the way I want it. Even with the help of computer programmers, we are writing computer programs and computer codes to evaluate the practice in a way that is not available commercially. These programs and computer codes allow us to identify issues, plan the best time to take time off and continue our education credits, but also to evaluate how we can marry private care and public care together.

Q: How do you use social media and traditional advertising to increase patient traffic?

Outside of our websites for the business, social media for medical professionals can often be very dangerous. Word of mouth, great referral practitioners, and doing great work are the best advertising. Medicine and dentistry is an art and science. The problem is that not everybody heals the same way. Nobody has the same reactions, and even though you have done the most up-to-date procedure and impeccable surgery, the outcome is not always at the level that the patient accepts.  Social media in these 1% to 2% of cases can take a great practice and create many issues for the surgeon, even killing their practice. Unfortunately, with social media, there is no governance, no way of protecting, verifying, and controlling what is being posted. As someone once told me, “There are always three sides to the story – one side, the other side, and the truth”.

Q:  Imagine you are talking directly to other doctors right now. What is the one often-overlooked business issue you would warn them about — the one common mistake that can damage a practice?

We know that the front-of-office staff is the first impression our patients have of our business, and it’s often the most lasting impression they take away. Sometimes, Louis Bourget doesn’t matter how good you are, or how caring you are for your patients – all the patients will remember is the first person they talk to and the last person to talk to. So prioritize the proper training of your staff, and make sure they know what’s expected of them when representing the business. I have often heard, ”Take care of your staff, and your staff will take care of you and your practice”. Definitely a true statement.

As I mentioned, be careful with social media. It can be a potential practice breaker, with patients allowed to say whatever they want with no consequences for fabrications or exaggerations. They could even be patients from your competitors reviewing someone they’ve never seen, but it still goes on Google reviews, or Rate Your MD or a Facebook page. They’re extremely difficult if not impossible to remove. So a common mistake is to think that social media is a great asset, without realizing how terrible it can be at times.

Q: You are also a committed philanthropist who is passionate about helping children and families in Africa and Brazil. How did you identify this need and decide you would make this a centerpiece of your life’s work?

All our life as surgeons, we train to help others. We are trained to take care of disease, malformation, and health issues to help people live better lives.  We often forget how fortunate we are and how our healthcare, which is often criticized, is far superior compared to many other countries. Philanthropy helps me reconnect with the reasons why I became a surgeon. Our practice now has technologies like CT scans, MRI 3D technology, AI, and computers – but so many developing countries have only basic equipment, a stethoscope and not much else, to address acute diseases that require extreme skill and specialization. Patients often have to wait two or three days to be seen, after already having walked two or three days to get to a hospital. They have diseases we don’t see in our country, at least at that advanced stage. So doctors are frequently applying treatment when it’s too late for a cure. There’s such a huge need for access to quality care. I received a text message today of a baby born with a cleft lip palate weighing 6 lbs, where the mother unfortunately died giving delivery, the grandparents are both dead, and the father is in jail.  What future does this young baby have, not to mention his three other siblings? This is not an uncommon story, unfortunately.

These stories, these cases, have pushed me and my family to want to help. So we obtain sundries and equipment from hospitals that would otherwise be thrown away, repack them, place them in a container, and send them off to countries in  the hope that a hospital can use them, or to missions in Canada, Brazil and Italy. These groups donate the supplies and provide training on their use to hospital staff.

[evoldir]

Fwd: Postdoc: Madrid.MicrobialEvolution

Begin forwarded message: > From: evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca > Subject: Postdoc: Madrid.MicrobialEvolution > Date: 16 November 2024 at 06:12:36 GMT > To: rdmpage@gmail.com > > > Postdoctoral Position in Computational Biology at the Polytechnic > University of Madrid > > We are looking for an outstanding, enthusiastic candidate to apply for > the upcoming Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellowship through Spain’s > National Research Agency (AEI). This prestigious grant supports > early-career researchers (up to two years post-PhD) who demonstrate > strong potential and an upward trajectory in fundamental sciences. The > successful candidate will use advanced experimental and/or computational > approaches to study how mutation and recombination biases influence > evolution in plant-associated bacteria, addressing both fundamental and > applied questions. Based on the candidate's background and expertise, > the proposal may focus on one of two primary areas: > > - Experimental Evolution: Employing multiplexed genome engineering and > bulk competition assays to analyze the fitness impacts of new genetic > variations. > - Computational Evolution: Using comparative genomics and computational > modeling to explore the role of mutation and recombination biases on the > predictability of evolutionary outcomes. > > We are seeking a candidate who can work independently and contribute > actively to shaping the research direction. We will offer significant > career development opportunities, including student supervision, grant > writing, teaching, and presenting at international conferences. The > Fellow will be based at the Evolutionary Systems Genetics of Microbes > lab at the Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics (CBGP), a joint > research center of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and the > Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The fellowship is a 2-year > position that includes a competitive salary and full benefits under the > Spanish National Social Security System, offering generous leave > policies along with comprehensive health, unemployment, and retirement > coverage. Additionally, it provides a budget for professional > development (i.e., attending conferences). The call is expected to open > in December 2024 and close in February 2025, with provisional results > announced in July 2025. The start date is flexible, ideally no later > than January 2026. > > Eligibility and Requirements for Juan de la Cierva Fellowship Support: > > - Doctoral Degree: In biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, comparative > genomics, computer modeling, or a closely related field, awarded before > the anticipated application deadline in February 2025. > - Career Stage: PhD completed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, > 2024. Extensions may apply for maternity/paternity leave, serious > illness, disability, or caregiving responsibilities. > - Publication Record: An excellent record is essential, with at least > two major first-author publications in microbial evolution. Additional > experience in international research mobility, conference oral > presentations, student supervision, and outreach is desirable. > > How to Apply: Please send a single PDF containing a cover letter > and CV to  Alex Couce (a.couce@upm.es). Shortlisted candidates will > be asked to provide contact information for two references. Include > “JdC.MicrobialEvolution” in the subject line. > > > -- > > Dr Alejandro Couce > Evolutionary Systems Genetics of Microbes Lab > Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics (CBGP, UPM-INIA) > Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain > > phone: +34 910679195 | website: short.upm.es/EvolSysGen > > > A Couce

[career-pathways]

Is Pharmacy a Good Career Option in 2025? Insights and Opportunities

The healthcare industry is continuously evolving, and the demand for skilled professionals is rising. One of the most promising career paths in the medical field is pharmacy. With advancements in medical research and the growing need for quality healthcare services, pharmacists play a crucial role in patient care, drug development, and disease management. If you're wondering whether pharmacy is a good career option in 2025, this blog will give you detailed insights and opportunities in this field.

Why Choose Pharmacy as a Career in 2025?

Pharmacy offers a stable, well-paying, and respected career. It provides numerous opportunities for those interested in medicines, healthcare, and research. Here are some reasons why choosing pharmacy in 2025 is a great decision:

High Demand for Pharmacists – The pharmaceutical industry is booming, and pharmacists are essential in hospitals, research labs, and retail pharmacies.

Diverse Career Opportunities – Graduates can work in hospitals, research centers, drug manufacturing, quality control, and academia.

Growing Healthcare Industry – With increasing health concerns and an aging population, the demand for pharmacy professionals will continue to grow.

Job Security & Good Salary – Pharmacy is a recession-proof career with competitive salary packages.

Opportunities for Higher Studies & Specialization – Students can pursue higher education like M. Pharma, PhD, or even switch to clinical research and healthcare management.

Top Pharmacy Courses to Pursue in Bihar

If you are considering a career in pharmacy, choosing the right course is essential. Several institutions offer pharmacy programs, and selecting the best Pharmacy College in Bihar can shape your future in the industry. Some popular courses include:

1. B. Pharma (Bachelor of Pharmacy)

Duration: 4 years

Focus: Drug formulation, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry

Career Scope: Work in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies

Best for students who want to become registered pharmacists

2. D. Pharma (Diploma in Pharmacy)

Duration: 2 years

Focus: Basic pharmacy skills, drug dispensing, medical ethics

Career Scope: Work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics

Best for students who want to start working quickly in the pharmacy sector

Career Opportunities After Pharmacy Courses in Bihar

Pharmacy is not just about working in a drugstore. There are many diverse career paths that pharmacy graduates can explore. Some of the top career opportunities include:

1. Hospital Pharmacist

Work in hospitals and healthcare centers to dispense medicines and advise doctors on drug interactions.

2. Retail Pharmacist

Run or work in a retail pharmacy, helping patients with prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

3. Pharmaceutical Researcher

Work in laboratories and research facilities to develop new medicines and improve existing drugs.

4. Regulatory Affairs Officer

Ensure that pharmaceutical products comply with laws and regulations.

5. Quality Control Analyst

Work in pharmaceutical manufacturing to ensure drug quality and safety.

6. Clinical Research Associate

Conduct trials and research studies to test the effectiveness of new drugs.

7. Academician or Lecturer

Teach pharmacy students in colleges and universities.

How to Choose the Best Pharmacy Institute in Bihar?

With several Pharmacy Colleges in Bihar, choosing the right institute can be challenging. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Accreditation & Recognition

Ensure the college is approved by Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

2. Course Curriculum & Faculty

The best Pharmacy Institute in Bihar should have an updated curriculum and experienced faculty.

3. Placement & Internship Opportunities

Check the college’s placement record and industry collaborations.

4. Infrastructure & Laboratory Facilities

A good college should have well-equipped labs, research centers, and libraries.

5. Location & Accessibility

Choose an institute that is well-connected and offers good hostel facilities if needed.

Future Scope of Pharmacy in India & Abroad

The pharmacy industry is expanding rapidly, not just in India but globally. The scope of pharmacy in 2025 and beyond looks promising:

Increasing Demand for Pharmacists in India

With growing healthcare needs, B. Pharma and D. Pharma graduates will always be in demand.

Opportunities in the Global Pharmaceutical Industry

Indian pharmacists are in demand in countries like the USA, Canada, UK, and Australia.

Rise in Clinical Research & Drug Development

The development of new drugs and vaccines has increased job opportunities in research.

Scope in Healthcare IT & Medical Writing

Pharmacy graduates can also work in medical coding, regulatory writing, and healthcare IT.

Conclusion: Is Pharmacy a Good Career in 2025?

Absolutely! Pharmacy is a rewarding and secure career with immense growth potential. Whether you choose a B. Pharma Course in Bihar or a D. Pharma Course in Bihar, the opportunities in this field are endless. If you are passionate about healthcare, medicines, and research, pharmacy can be the perfect career choice for you. To build a strong foundation, it is crucial to choose the best Pharmacy College in Bihar that offers quality education, practical exposure, and placement support. With the right education and dedication, you can have a successful and fulfilling career in the pharmacy sector.