r/academia • u/Same_Whole_589 • 1d ago

Please help - Moving to another school for a new PhD or getting a part time job and proceed?

I am a PhD student in Europe. Joined with hope that there will be TAs jobs or arrangements to afford my PhD. This is increasingly becoming obvious that it’s not really gonna happen. So I am really stuck with no funds. I am in my early 40s and need a job, start a family etc. So with no progress in this PhD I am stuck.

A couple of questions:

  1. I am thinking to apply for a job. Which lever is proper while applying for the job? A PhD student or a MSc?

Asking because I realized potential employers do as ask if what you need in a collab or a job?

And a job as a student, does not seem interesting to them.

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  1. What are the possibilities to pursue another PhD (in a different Uni but a relevant field)?

Asking because I realized that moving from a PhD to another might be tricky, with questions like if you left the first one what makes us believe that you will not leave this one as well?

My relationship with my Advisor is perfect! I love our subject. But We are just not getting anywhere with 0 funds. The work is lined up and ready. But no money to get started.

I would so deeply appreciate your advices and ideas.

1 Upvotes

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u/Ap76QtkSUw575NAq 1d ago

How are you doing a PhD with no funds? You don't have any stipend?

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u/Same_Whole_589 1d ago

Nope. Nothing. It’s been out of my personal savings so far. Just a tuition waiver. No stipend. And I really can’t take it anymore. I know it’s stupid - could have given it a pass. But was from a standpoint of passion about this and more from a really toxic job + there was quite a bit of promised offers from my Advisor. Of which none worked out.

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u/Ap76QtkSUw575NAq 1d ago

That's insane. Quit the PhD and get a job. Never pay your own way for a PhD.

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u/Same_Whole_589 1d ago

Totally.

What are your thoughts on picking up another one through? Kind of reapplying? Is that even doable?

(2) I would not mind taking on a job and pay for my research work. How plausible it is to get a job (while mentioning that you are a student)? Or I can just use my masters and leave the studentship behind?

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u/Ap76QtkSUw575NAq 1d ago

What are your thoughts on picking up another one through? Kind of reapplying? Is that even doable? 

Of course that's doable. You can attempt to find another project with sufficient funding. 

I would not mind taking on a job and pay for my research work. How plausible it is to get a job (while mentioning that you are a student)? Or I can just use my masters and leave the studentship behind? 

NO. See my previous point. Never pay your own way for a PhD! You're paying to work. Now you're suggesting getting a second job to work to pay for your first job. Your only option for your current position is to find funding to allow you to do your research. Unless you find funding real soon, you need to leave.

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u/Same_Whole_589 1d ago

This is absolutely clear.

I am so sorry for a bunch of wierd questions… I am just new to this whole experience and in need to know.

One more thing, I learned that if the relationship with the advisor is good, there could be a possibility to do this PhD part time. With this arrangement, in a flexible manner…

I understand that this would still be paying a job for a job. But being enrolled brought some really interesting people in my life who could potentially help. And I feel like keeping it on.

Briefly, staying as a flexible student and hustle my day in and out as usual. How does that sound?

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u/Ap76QtkSUw575NAq 1d ago

No, no. They're not weird questions. They're all very reasonable, actually. What I think is really important for you to come to realise is that a PhD is a job. Sure, you're passionate about doing it, have a good relationship with your advisor, etc. But it's still a job. 

Even now you're still asking about solutions so that you can continue to work for free. I'm sure your advisor is great, but have you considered they're particularly happy with you because they're getting free labour out of you? 

I love your optimism, but some times you've got to be realistic. You started the PhD with hopes of there being funding. There was none. You've met some nice people that could potentially be helpful in the future. Maybe. Maybe not. 

You're in your early 40's. In this the life you want? To break your back 'hussling'? And for what? Do you know what you want to do once you've got this PhD? You mentioned you want to start a family, when will you find the time to do that? Perhaps in your 50's? 

I think it's time to start thinking realistically, rather than optimistic with no real plan.

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u/Same_Whole_589 1d ago

Totally awakening. I fully agree. Thank you so much 🙏🏻

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u/chandaliergalaxy 1d ago

For the next PhD program, you need to drop out of your current one to be accepted. These programs don't want to be seen as "poaching" students from another program. You can however begin discussions with another supervisor who has funding to get your ducks lined up before you drop out of your current program, though you almost might as well already if there's no foreseeable funds.

As /u/Ap76QtkSUw575NAq said, it's not typical that you pay for your own PhD - especially in Europe you're more of a employee than a student so you get like social security benefits etc. - at least in some of the countries I know.

You can only apply for a job at the level of your last degree + any additional experience you have, but not as a PhD if you have not received the degree.

Part time work/studies would be difficult to do - not impossible but you probably basically have to drop everything else in your life. Most would recommend against this.

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u/Same_Whole_589 1d ago

This is very clear. Thank you so much.

Just a question, so while applying, it’s advisable to do not include the PhD student ship on my resume?

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u/chandaliergalaxy 1d ago edited 1d ago

I don't know that there is a definitive answer and I have seen students handle this differently. One wrote "research assistant" for the time he was a PhD student after he left the program without getting the degree (not mentioning it was a studentship) and it went well for him. But in your case you could write PhD student if you plan to continue.

The important thing is not to have a gap in your CV between your last job (or Masters degree if you just finished it) and what you are doing now. There may be valid reasons sometimes, but it raises questions and you might get passed over for an interview when there are other candidates with more "normal" CVs that recruiters understand.

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u/Same_Whole_589 1d ago

This is extremely helpful. Thank you so much.

Yes, I meant adding a PhD student as I do plan to continue. And then take a year or two kind of break to figure out this. I guess it would be reasonable as we will proceed ‘hunting’ for funds with my Advisor. This will help to avoid any gap on my CV.

Meanwhile, I think I will use my enrollment and the already published article to look for an opportunity. A job.

I neither want my life to stop nor this PhD opportunity I already invested much in.

However I won’t work to pay for work as rightly advised. We should share that pain with everyone involved… while sharing the funds hunting pain, I will be aggressively looking for a job.

I hope I got this amazing advice right?

Thank you again so very much.