Studying for a PhD is an incredible privilege. You have a lot of freedom to pursue the ideas that interest you and to develop the techniques that you need to answer your questions. Additionally, you get to spend time at conferences, finding out what others in your field are doing and meeting like-minded scientists. In some respects, it is also more like a job, in that you receive a salary for your work and are expected to produce regular reports on your progress.

Before my PhD, I worked part-time as a lecturer, studied part-time for an MSc by Research, and was a part-time stay-at-home Dad. Prior to that, I undertook a degree in Geography as a mature student after a fifteen year career in adventure tourism and outdoor education.