When I
received a fully-funded scholarship to do the PhD in the UK, the decision to
move to Sheffield did not take long for me to make. The salary was enticing,
and with it the promise from my sponsor of supporting the research and all of
its expenses. I spent the first year of my PhD care-free when it came to money,
the only difficulties encountered were the usual ones that come with studying at
this level.
However,
in my second year things changed. Due to the financial difficulties of my
sponsor, my scholarship was drastically cut, privileges and perks were taken
away, and I was no longer compensated for expenses, many of which I had already
committed to and now had to pay for myself. So I decided to start looking for a
part-time job. I was already involved in several paid opportunities, such as
lab demonstrating, or participating in outreach events. But the reason why I
was doing those things was not for money, but to enhance my skills and add new
things to my CV. Plus, they weren’t that regular or enough to support me
financially.
I applied
for a few part-time jobs that seemed to fit my area of study. When I did not
receive an email back, I applied for some more (after I realised how to write
better applications!) Then, after reaching the interview stage a few times and
still being unsuccessful, I learned how to make a better impression in the next
ones. The good thing about this whole experience is that it gave me a preview
of what life after a PhD will be like. It has given me the chance to understand
how employers really view my postgrad qualifications, what kind of experience they
are looking for, and where there are gaps in my CV.
In the
end it was time well spent, and I ended up landing not one but two part-time
job in the university. I’m still learning how to juggle the responsibilities
between my PhD, part-time work, and personal life commitments. It’s not easy to
work while studying, but I was fortunate to have a very flexible working hours.
The university is a great student employer and understanding of study
commitments.
Many
postgrads envision their free time as something they have to forgo for the sole
purpose of getting their degree. However, this attitude could mean you miss out
on opportunities for professional self-development, some of which are in the
form of part-time jobs. Getting work experience does not only make you showcase
your skills and enrich your CV, it also helps to bridge the gap between studying
for PhD and starting your dream-job.
Tareq Omairi, PhD student (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology)
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