A Doctorate and Beyond ─ Building a Career in Engineering and the Physical Sciences

Drawing on their own extensive experience, the authors pass on invaluable advice by answering such questions as:

Do I want to do a PhD?

How should I choose which PhD and where to study?

How do I achieve my doctorate?

What career opportunities exist once I’ve got my doctorate?

How do I address the media and public when expert opinion is called for?

How do I go about mentoring the next generation?

What do I do when things don’t go to plan?

This practical guide helps you to determine your best answer to all these questions and more. The authors not only discuss how to become a success but also how to keep success going, beginning with the choice to do a PhD (or not) and what to expect, through how to get the best from student–supervisor interaction, the value of networking, the process of publication, and ethics to choosing between academia and industry, job and career changes, and work–life balance.

The authors’ own thoughts are flavoured with the life experiences of hundreds of colleagues and other prominent individuals who have achieved success and recognition: the book contains inspirational quotes from established figures in academia and industry. They reflect on career options, what leads to a successful career, and how to make conscious career choices instead of letting things happen to you and hoping for the best. This ranges from avoiding common pitfalls—such as squandering your reputation—to developing that all-important energy: your personal passion.

A Doctorate and Beyond will be an extra difference in making the most of the best times and supports you when the going gets tough. If you are contemplating PhD study in engineering or the physical sciences, or have a PhD and are seeking career guidance, this book will change the way you think about life.

For further discussion and information about the book please see the blog/forum hosted by the authors at Adoctorateandbeyond.

Graham Goodwin

Graham Goodwin received B.Sc., B.E. and Ph.D. from the University of New South Wales. In 2010 he was awarded the IEEE Control Systems Field Award and in 2013 he received the Rufus T. Oldenburger Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was twice awarded the International Federation of Automatic Control Best Engineering Text Book. He is a Fellow of IEEE; an Honorary Fellow of Institute of Engineers, Australia; a Fellow of the International Federation of Automatic Control, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science; a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology, Science and Engineering; a Member of the International Statistical Institute; a Fellow of the Royal Society, London and a Foreign Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He holds Honorary Doctorates from Lund Institute of Technology, Sweden and the Technion Israel. He is the co-author of nine books, four edited books, and several hundred papers. Graham is a Distinguished Professor at Harbin Institute of Technology (China), Northwestern University (China), Zhengzhou University (China) and Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria (Chile). He holds 16 International Patents covering rolling mill technology, telecommunications, mine planning and mineral exploration.

Stefan Graebe

Stefan Graebe was awarded a doctorate in Control Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. During his 10 years as an academic, his areas?of expertise included grey box identification, control system design as well as industrial applications of advanced control and their economic impact. Stefan they spent 12 years as a manager and executive in the oil industry. His positions included being Chief Strategist, CEO and Board member of various companies and joint ventures turning over hundreds of millions of EUR. In 2009 Stefan trained as a coach and has since then built his coaching practice for businesses and individuals. He is based in Cape Town and works globally.

Adam Sandford

Adam Sandford grew up watching cartoons and reading Garfield comic books. He became fascinated by Andy Warhol and Pop Art whilst in high school and became an avid DC Comics fan. He studied Graphic Design at Newcastle University, leaving his studies to become a Graphic Artist in the textiles industry where he designed logos and cartoons for screen printing and embroidery. In 2005 he volunteered as an Art Facilitator at a Disability service, eventually making a career in that industry. In 2012 Adam meet Graham whilst joining the burgeoning coffee scene in Newcastle, Australia. Adam is currently a Disability Support worker and part-time artist and photographer.