Curse of the comfortable job
Discussion
Sporky said:
Doofus said:
Wouldn't you have needed a degree before you started for a PhD?
Usually a Masters.So 4 years for an undergrad masters, then two for the PhD. Some unis let people in at 17, so 23 is just possible.
Me, 3 years BSc, 1 year MSc, 6 years (we don’t talk about that, ok?) PhD
Doofus said:
I might do a PhD for fun just to punctuate the wine and roses. 
You can actually do a PhD by "work" or "published works" in U.K.. It is becoming quite common. it could be done less than 2 years, most people I know got this in a year or so.It's basically, if you were in practice, in your field, and you have accumulated a work specific to your niche topic/specialism, it could be done. I've seen examples in Music, Architecture (a lot!) and medicine of course...
So the new school of thinking is, finish your undergrad/postgrad studies, go to work/industry for years, accomplish things, break or loose...Than you can turn it into a PhD if it's approved, rather than doing a research from completely scratch in a more regular route.
MickC said:
In the UK don't people usually do either a PhD OR a masters, although sometimes a masters is needed if your degree isn't good enough or you are changing subject? Then another 3 to 4 years to complete the PhD.
You can do as many degrees/MsC/PhDs as you like, there is no rule. Most people don't really need to do any, and I suspect apart from examiners no one has actually read the thesis of another post Doc. Countdown said:
I wonder if it varies depending on subject. Two of my Uni mates did PhDs and both did a Masters first (IIRC it was 1 year for the Master's and then 2-3 years for the PhD)
I believe both are earning IRO £40k as Clinical lecturers.
Don't forget the ever present threat of redundancy, as most Uni's these days are having to cut back on staff. I'm not sure how/why higher degrees got mentioned, but even a chair is rarely linked to any kind of major financial gain that the OP seems to be suffering from!I believe both are earning IRO £40k as Clinical lecturers.
AlexC1981 said:
You have a fine income. I'd consider a smaller mortgage that could be paid off in a few years, then work a short week or plan for early retirement. Why waste decades of your life paying off a massive mortgage just so you can live in a bigger house?
A triple garage and a swimming pool would be nice, but not if the cost is 15 extra years chained to a desk.
This is the correct answer.A triple garage and a swimming pool would be nice, but not if the cost is 15 extra years chained to a desk.
I'm in a similar position and a similar age to the OP, and I've taken out a relatively small mortgage (in relation to my income) and am overpaying it as fast as I can.
Be very careful about which aspects of your life you allow to creep upwards with your income. Some stuff, like nice holidays and maybe the odd fancy restaurant is fine, but taking on gigantic mortgages, car payments and high maintenance women will ensure you're chained to your desk for the same length of time as everyone else. And, despite your fancier things you'll be no happier. Mid 30s, high income and no dependents is the recipe for engineering some serious freedom into your work/life balance.
Edited by rawenghey on Monday 3rd April 17:15
okgo said:
It also sounds like a pretty lonely existence if I’m honest.
People with children always make subtle disparaging comments like this about the value of the lives of those who don't want children. It might be hard for some people to understand, but not all of us want the same thing. rawenghey said:
okgo said:
It also sounds like a pretty lonely existence if I’m honest.
People with children always make subtle disparaging comments like this about the value of the lives of those who don't want children. It might be hard for some people to understand, but not all of us want the same thing. (Can I ask how old you are?)
jm8403 said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Woodrow Wilson said:
Outside of the world of PH, the roles being discussed and the salaries are unusual.
The OP's claimed couple of hours work a day for £150K/year is very unusual.
I think the term you're seeking is 'bThe OP's claimed couple of hours work a day for £150K/year is very unusual.
ks'. There's quite a lot of self-aggrandising smoke blowing going on here so far. Of course, it is unusual, but when you know 100+ people in this position (well paid and no major head on line), it feels normal. The 2hrs a day thing, much more rare. I dont think ive heard anyone admit it. Yes for the junions on 50-75k.
Edited by Krhuangbin on Monday 10th April 23:13
Countdown said:
Countdown said:
Just out of interest can anybody point me towards job vacancies /adverts for tech support roles paying £120k - £150k?
Especially ones where you can get all your work done in 3 hours a week
Anybody…….?Especially ones where you can get all your work done in 3 hours a week
okgo said:
Most job descriptions dont mention money and who knows what niche it needs to be to pay it.
If people are already IN those jobs and earning those salaries then surely they know what "niche" somebody needs to be in?Also, given the number of PHers earning those salaries, it must be a pretty big niche
Countdown said:
If people are already IN those jobs and earning those salaries then surely they know what "niche" somebody needs to be in?
Also, given the number of PHers earning those salaries, it must be a pretty big niche
If we're talking IT still, then there are thousands of micro-niches. It's not that hard to find yourself technically proficient in an 'underrated' discipline where there is reasonable commercial demand but not much competition in the skills market. People can't just become experts in obscure technical subjects overnight so this apparent supply/demand imbalance can be exploited.Also, given the number of PHers earning those salaries, it must be a pretty big niche
In many cases the employer or engaging client is happy to pay an effective retainer just to have you on beck and call when needed, even if its only really a few hours a week that matters.
I know lots and lots of people in my professional life working on this sort of basis.
Douglas Quaid said:
If you’re making £120-150k for a couple of hours work a day then you’re living most people’s dream.
Yep. He can swap with me if he likes. I'll gladly do his! I can't believe there are 150k jobs where you do little all day, I would be sure most would want their pound of flesh!Countdown said:
okgo said:
Most job descriptions dont mention money and who knows what niche it needs to be to pay it.
If people are already IN those jobs and earning those salaries then surely they know what "niche" somebody needs to be in?Also, given the number of PHers earning those salaries, it must be a pretty big niche
I’ve had SE’s who have done the square root of f
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