Current and former PhD students - is there a question you wish you'd asked your PhD supervisory team before starting?

[kimberley@ecoevo.social]

@RaoOfPhysics Having had a professional career and run a business I’m starting to think wondering if something is a good idea is just part of doing anything (maybe that’s just me!)

[timwardcam@c.im]

@Kimberley Back in my day, one didn't seem to have to apply for a PhD place, I was just told that one was open to me (in the same institution where I was finishing my first degree), with X as supervisor.

Then I was chatting to Y, another academic in the department. "Y'know, X's students don't usually end up with a PhD" he said.

I was too politically naïve to understand what he was saying, and did nothing in response. I started the PhD course with X as supervisor and dropped out after a year.

I realised some considerable time later that what Y was suggesting was that I should request a change of supervisor, presumably that Y should be my supervisor instead. But he couldn't say that explicitly - it would be unethical to poach someone else's student - it would have to look like my idea.

So, to answer your question, I should have asked "can I have Y as my supervisor?"

[kimberley@ecoevo.social]

@TimWardCam that sounds like a nightmare! I used to do a research support role in a different university and there was a lot of that fake politeness, although the younger academics tended to be more forthright. Thankfully my primary supervisor does have PhD graduates

[mjr@masto.bike]

@Kimberley "Have you noticed that a recent medication change has stopped me forming new memories and I am currently incapable of learning anything so this is all a waste of everyone's time, money and opportunity?" but to be fair, my doctors should have spotted it first and it took them over a decade!

[artemis201@mstdn.social]

@Kimberley what are the unwritten expectations and allowances?

[jannem@fosstodon.org]

@Kimberley
How often do PhD students in this lab meet one on one with their supervisor?

Also, what proportion of students finish and how much time do they take; and how much better or worse is this compared to the science (or other) faculty at the university?

[dtl@8bitorbust.info]

@Kimberley "do you plan to be here for the whole of my PhD?"

It worked out for me, but having my supervisor leave the country was a bit of a surprise.

[rocahontas@col.social]

@dtl @Kimberley But sometimes that just happens. It is not necessarily planned.

[greenskyoverme@ohai.social]

@mjr Oh shit

[dtl@8bitorbust.info]

@Rocahontas @Kimberley oh, that was exactly what happened. I in no way hold it against my superior.

I had a student approach me a few years ago to supervise them, but I couldn't at the time confirm I'd still be in the job, so I declined them.
They are doing well with another supervisor and I'm still in my position.