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?