4th July 2011, 05:55 PM
Land-Escapist Wrote:I want to work in this sector, mainly because I see it as something I could do for a couple of years and making sure I am not completely ignorant of this sector.
What would you see yourself doing in the longer term? You said that you didn't see yourself staying in academia, and you don't see the commercial sector as a viable career path for more than a couple of years, so what sort of jobs would you ideally be looking for? As you say, it's difficult to get commercial experience at the moment, with the units being able to pick and choose between several candidates for each job. There's a risk that you may be seen as overqualified for a digging job, on the assumption that you'll be off at the first offer of an academic position.
I don't mean to be negative or dismissive, I'm just curious as to what you see yourself doing for the next 30-40 years of your life. I'd advise anyone thinking of undertaking an MA or PhD to think about the sort of job you want to have before you start, and ask yourself whether that additional qualification is necessary to getting it, or whether you'll find yourself at the end of the course more deeply in debt but no closer to getting the job you want.
You know Marcus. He once got lost in his own museum