Returning To Academia – Why I Chose To Study My PhD – Matthew Brown

Hi everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well 🙂

It’s been a little while since I wrote for you all, so I thought I’d share a little update about what I’ve been getting up to lately and why I decided to return to academia to study my PhD.

Hello and Welcome to Sweeney’s Blogs!

For those who don’t know me, I completed my Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Bristol in 2021. Afterwards, I decided to enter the world of work, where I worked as a Laboratory Technician back home in Wales.

Working in engineering and quality control roles helped me to develop my technical skills; however, I always knew that research (in some capacity) was my true calling, so I decided to go back to the drawing board and plan out my next step.

Having found a PhD position online that sounded interesting at Cardiff University, I contacted the professor in charge of the programme, who encouraged me to apply. I researched the university and the group a bit further, determining that it was a good choice for me personally and professionally.

When choosing a PhD, make sure both the topic and the research group are a good fit. I’d highly recommend speaking to people you’d be working with and possibly having a tour of the laboratory to get a full vibe check.

Another misconception is that it can be too late in your career to think about further study; however, that isn’t the case, you can study for a PhD at any age! I’m actually glad that I waited for a few years since it allowed me to get the real-world experience that I apply to my research every day.

Studying for a PhD can bring numerous advantages for your development. If you are looking to progress in your chosen career, sometimes it is required to have further qualifications, e.g., a PhD. However, weigh up all of your options before committing to further study.

An additional advantage (something that drew me in) is that PhD study provides the opportunity to discover new knowledge and share it with the world, perhaps leading to advancements in technology and understanding. A PhD can also allow for collaboration with like-minded individuals, further developing problem-solving skills.

In summary, I think that, while not for everyone, doing a PhD can be highly rewarding. I certainly have no regrets! I may do some more updates on my PhD as I carry on moving through it, but if you have any questions, be sure to let me know.

Thanks for reading, see you all next time 🙂