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Pros and Cons for having a pushy supervisor for PhD - (May/24/2013 )

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Do you think i can change groups once i enter this group. Or do i have to start applying for PhD positions again?

-Mad Researcher-

Difficult to say without knowing where you are and which PhD program you are in, but in all probability it will be extremely difficult to change your group just like that (unless there is major trouble or disagreement, in which case it might be possible). Check the statutes/specifications of your program.

-Tabaluga-

Cons:
- He made me feel obliged to work most weekends and have endless working days during the week (even if the project was absurd): that means for a long time, my life started and finished inside the lab.
- He made me hate the lab.
- He was not pushy on everyone, but only on the ones who were more self-motivated (which is something that I still don't understand).
- It was extremely stressing during the first years and still stressing nowadays.

Pros:
- Perhaps you learn to work more efficiently, although I'm not sure of this.
- You become stronger.................... if you don't leave the lab before.

-OA17-

OA17 on Fri Jul 26 20:40:03 2013 said:


Cons:
- He made me feel obliged to work most weekends and have endless working days during the week (even if the project was absurd): that means for a long time, my life started and finished inside the lab.
- He made me hate the lab.
- He was not pushy on everyone, but only on the ones who were more self-motivated (which is something that I still don't understand).
- It was extremely stressing during the first years and still stressing nowadays.

Pros:
- Perhaps you learn to work more efficiently, although I'm not sure of this.
- You become stronger.................... if you don't leave the lab before.


--------------------
I had the same kind of experience. Moreover, i had some serious problem in my family and i said i need some days off as i cant concentrate. He simply fired me because of that. Before that i told him i am stressed out (due to family concerns) and he said keep stress at home and just work here...
When i heard stuff like this it made me hate the work and hate the lab.

Now, i am in trouble even after being fired from the lab. I am having visa issues and the institute says you were on probation and he had rights to fire you. But the probation starts only after i sign a contract which i didn't and i didn't even got paid. So, am in argument with the institute to help me extend my visa. Hope they can do that and i can look for other labs meanwhile.

-Mad Researcher-
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