ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS! PhD stipends? Is it easy to get a job? Kids and marriage?!

Jessica, the host, welcomes viewers to her YouTube channel, sharing her background as a new PhD graduate in environmental chemistry who has transitioned into a research scientist role. She discusses her work schedule, contracted to work 37 hours a week with a flexible start time and the possibility of working from home. Jessica also highlights the benefits of her early Friday finishes and the overall positive impact on her work-life balance.

In this segment, Jessica addresses the differences in job opportunities for those with a Bachelor of Science (BSC), Master of Science (MSC), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. She explains that while many quality control and lab technician jobs require a BSC, a PhD is often necessary for research roles, postdoctoral positions, and university lecturing roles. Jessica emphasizes that the necessity of a PhD varies depending on the specific job and field of interest.

Jessica shares her personal experience applying for a PhD in the UK, where candidates typically apply for specific projects with defined titles and outlines. She discusses the flexibility within the research process, allowing for adjustments and the incorporation of new ideas. Jessica advises prospective PhD applicants to identify their research interests and gain relevant experience, which helped her secure her position in natural products chemistry.

In response to a question about living on a stipend during PhD studies, Jessica shares her experience of living at home, which allowed her to save money. She discusses her budgeting strategies, including the use of spreadsheets and a banking app called Monzo, which features savings pots for different categories. Jessica emphasizes the importance of budgeting and financial management for PhD students on a stipend.

Jessica talks about her approach to dealing with lack of motivation and writer's block during her thesis writing process. She suggests being productive in different ways, such as formatting or researching for other chapters, rather than forcing oneself to write when not in the right mindset. Jessica stresses the importance of listening to one's body and mind to maintain productivity and make progress on the thesis.

Jessica candidly discusses her personal life, including her recent house purchase with her boyfriend and her plans for marriage and having children in the future. She expresses her desire to establish herself in her career before making significant life changes, such as starting a family.

Jessica lists her three favorite subcategories of chemistry: natural products chemistry, environmental chemistry, and analytical chemistry. She also talks about her PhD funding, mentioning her initial monthly stipend and the annual increase. Jessica provides insight into the typical pay range for PhD students in the UK and encourages viewers to research specifics for their own situations.

Jessica shares her personal experience of finding a job after completing her PhD, noting that she was successful with her first application. She acknowledges that her situation may not be representative of the broader job market in Europe and advises viewers to consider their own circumstances and job prospects in their respective fields and locations.

Jessica expresses her excitement about the possibility of owning her business in the distant future, emphasizing the appeal of being self-sufficient and having the flexibility that comes with being a business owner. She hints at potential ideas related to academia and PhD life support but clarifies that she is not planning to leave her current job imminently and that these aspirations are still in the early stages of consideration.