Career Advice

Completing a master’s degree: What’s next? How to devise a plan for the future

Nearing the end of a master’s programme comes with big life decisions. What’s next? After spending several years in higher education, this question can be challenging. Nonetheless, having a plan for the future is crucial. A list of concrete questions…
How to write a winning motivation letter for a master’s scholarship

Motivation letters play a crucial role in applications for scholarships that fund a master’s degree. Find out why motivation letters for master’s scholarships are unique, and learn the dos and don’ts of writing a winning motivation letter. Disclosure: This post…
All you need to know about career objectives on PhD resumes

When you apply for an academic job, you may wonder whether or not to include a career objective on your resume. This post answers common questions about career objectives on academic CVs, and helps you to create your own career…
Planning your PhD research: A 3-year PhD timeline example

Planning out a PhD trajectory can be overwhelming. Example PhD timelines can make the task easier and inspire. The following PhD timeline example describes the process and milestones of completing a PhD within 3 years. Contents Elements to include in…
10 amazing benefits of getting a PhD later in life

There is no age limitation to getting a PhD. In fact, getting a PhD later in life has a lot of advantages. Older PhD students tend to master the ups and downs of doing a PhD better than those who…
9 smart questions to ask a professor about graduate school

When exploring options to attend graduate school, you may have the opportunity to talk to a professor. For instance, as part of a prospective graduate school visit. Or as part of an application interview. The professor could be your potential…
10 reasons NOT to do a master’s degree

One decision before becoming a master’s student should not be disregarded: whether or not to do a master’s degree. There are good reasons to earn a master’s degree, for instance right after graduation. Yet, doing a master’s degree may not…
Hidden gems: 3 free apps every PhD researcher should know about

Some mobile and web applications distract PhD students from their work. Others, however, can considerably enrich a PhD journey. The three mobile and/or web applications R Discovery, Owlstown and LastPass provide exceptional value to postgraduate students. Free of charge! While…
20 questions to ask about potential PhD programmes

There usually comes a time in a PhD application process when the candidate can ask the admission committee questions about the programme. If you made it to this stage, you may be wondering: What questions should I ask about the…
The best answers to “Why do you want to do a PhD?”

If you are interviewing for a PhD position, chances are high that you will be asked about your motivation to do a PhD. And sometimes, simple questions are the hardest to answer. Therefore, it is smart to prepare an excellent…