It has been a month since I came back to Melbourne from the two months 'break' in Singapore, and I have pretty much gotten back into the swing of things and more or less picked up from where I left off last December. Well almost. The difference is that I have decided to focus more time and energy on the Phd - which means I dropped the part-time work (quite reluctantly because its good fun) and for the sports science traineeship at VIS, I simply didn't put my hand up for anymore projects.
As I made the decision to focus more on the Phd, somehow I was filled with many doubts - like why am I doing this Phd, what good is it going to be, is it worth all the effort? Reading this article from the Economist doesn't really help. It was basically explaining why doing a Phd is a waste of time. Firstly, most people get paid very little to do the Phd and very often the research done is not very relevant to the industry yet, which makes it hard for the graduate to find relevant work in the industry. Then for those who do find work in the industry, they would probably not be paid much higher (if at all) than their colleagues with bachelor or masters degrees. Also, the option to stay on in the university as an academic, or to work in some research facility is only for the lucky few because there are so many Phd graduates and so little openings in universities or research institutes. So based on that article, not only is doing the Phd a tough journey, the career outlook isn't very promising which makes it a waste of the individual's time. By the look of my current situation, it seems so true. That's because even if I finished this Phd (assuming I do finish and not crash and burn because it is bloody difficult) in sports engineering, I may not find a job opportunity in that field because it is a very niche field. Although on the bright side, my chances of finding opportunities here in Melbourne is much higher than in Singapore.
But even before I think about landing myself a job, I still need to cross the hurdle of actually finishing the research and writing up a thesis, which as I said before is taking the life out of me. I have gotten a fair bit of data from my tests; but going through the data and trying to make sense of it and wondering about the accuracy of my methods and contemplating if I should collect more data plus a million other things are all making me go nuts.
Here's a clip of what a typical Phd student would say; it is pretty hilarious but sadly true:
On a more positive note, I have a lot of support to do this Phd - mentally, financially, physically and spiritually. Mabel plays a big role in that and I thank God for her everyday. I know that God has allowed me to do this Phd, and whatever happens after that, I am going to leave it to Him. Although I have just said that, I am pretty sure that from now till I finally finish the Phd, I am still going to get doubtful now and then, and I am just going to keep reminding myself of this couple of things:
As I made the decision to focus more on the Phd, somehow I was filled with many doubts - like why am I doing this Phd, what good is it going to be, is it worth all the effort? Reading this article from the Economist doesn't really help. It was basically explaining why doing a Phd is a waste of time. Firstly, most people get paid very little to do the Phd and very often the research done is not very relevant to the industry yet, which makes it hard for the graduate to find relevant work in the industry. Then for those who do find work in the industry, they would probably not be paid much higher (if at all) than their colleagues with bachelor or masters degrees. Also, the option to stay on in the university as an academic, or to work in some research facility is only for the lucky few because there are so many Phd graduates and so little openings in universities or research institutes. So based on that article, not only is doing the Phd a tough journey, the career outlook isn't very promising which makes it a waste of the individual's time. By the look of my current situation, it seems so true. That's because even if I finished this Phd (assuming I do finish and not crash and burn because it is bloody difficult) in sports engineering, I may not find a job opportunity in that field because it is a very niche field. Although on the bright side, my chances of finding opportunities here in Melbourne is much higher than in Singapore.
But even before I think about landing myself a job, I still need to cross the hurdle of actually finishing the research and writing up a thesis, which as I said before is taking the life out of me. I have gotten a fair bit of data from my tests; but going through the data and trying to make sense of it and wondering about the accuracy of my methods and contemplating if I should collect more data plus a million other things are all making me go nuts.
Here's a clip of what a typical Phd student would say; it is pretty hilarious but sadly true:
On a more positive note, I have a lot of support to do this Phd - mentally, financially, physically and spiritually. Mabel plays a big role in that and I thank God for her everyday. I know that God has allowed me to do this Phd, and whatever happens after that, I am going to leave it to Him. Although I have just said that, I am pretty sure that from now till I finally finish the Phd, I am still going to get doubtful now and then, and I am just going to keep reminding myself of this couple of things:
- I did ditch my previous job and a couple of other opportunities to pursue this Phd in sports engineering, so I jolly well suck it up and just finish it.
- Or as Ralph Waldo Emerson said: Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.
- Last and most importantly, as written in Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
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