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My Background PhD Life Conclusion
Life as a PhD Student
Erin Mitchell
Lancaster University
16th February 2011
My Background PhD Life Conclusion
Outline
1 My Background
2 PhD Life
3 Conclusion
My Background PhD Life Conclusion
About Me
Erin Mitchell,Originally from Halifax, WestYorkshire,BSc Mathematics, LancasterUniversity, 2006-2009,Summer Research Internship,Lancaster University, 2008,Summer Internship at Shell GlobalSolutions, 2009,PhD, Lancaster University,2009-Present.
My Background PhD Life Conclusion
Why a PhD?
Still eager to learn more about statistics and OR:Many different areas in statistics that I had never studied,
Interested in a new challenge:Research and independent study require different skills tothose I gained in my undergraduate degree,More responsibility for your own work,
Improves job prospects:Trained statisticians are widely sought after,Some jobs require a PhD,
Good funding available.
My Background PhD Life Conclusion
My PhD
Wind Energy Forecasting,Have a time series of windspeed data - need topredict future wind speeds,Short term and long termpredictions,Consider other aspects -direction, temperature...,Fit and predict usingstatistical models.
My Background PhD Life Conclusion
Typical PhD Activities
Reading journals and textbooks:Research PhD area andtechniques that could be useful,
Coding:Working with data or simulating totest methods,
Writing presentations and reports,Developing new theory andmethods:
A lot of thinking time!
My Background PhD Life Conclusion
Typical PhD Activities
Attending seminars and forums:Learn about other peoples’ work,
Conferences and courses,STOR-i problem solving days, APTS, RSC...
Tutoring and marking assessments,Visit industrial supervisors (if applicable).
My Background PhD Life Conclusion
Working with Industry
Provides focus and direction for yourwork,Gain additional skills:
Working within a team,Meet a variety of different people,Learn to convey your work topeople with different backgroundsand statistical experience levels,
Networking opportunities,Industrial insight into the problem:
Can be very useful to look at aproblem from an alternative pointof view.
My Background PhD Life Conclusion
Pros and Cons of doing a PhD
Intellectually stimulating and rewarding:Get to focus work on areas of interest,Learn about many other areas through seminars andconferences,
Independent style of studying:Flexibility in working hours,Require self-motivation and determination,Can be frustrating when you hit a brick wall,
Remain a student,Have to work hard!
My Background PhD Life Conclusion
Lancaster University
Campus university:Many amenities situated on campus,Lots of modern accommodation,
Friendly and supportive department:Great PhD community: pure, stats and STOR-i students,Staff treat PhD students as equals,
Beautiful surroundings:Only 30-45 mins from the Lake District,Manchester, Liverpool and Preston nearby.
My Background PhD Life Conclusion
Any questions?
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