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Advice for a mature student part-time PhD?

Having previously finished my studies at Masters level and after spending a number of years in industry in operational technical roles, I've started doing more research work and found myself underqualified for research positions, having not originally completed a PhD. I'm fortunate that my employer has been able to support a part-time PhD to rectify this - however, as someone coming back into University as a part-time mature student, what change of mindset from my current industrial work approach do I need to be successful in a PhD and in research work?

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Harold’s Answer

Deciding whether to pursue a PhD as an academic or with years of experience is an exciting choice. Your industry experience is a great strength. It might make you impatient with academic processes like peer reviews and theoretical studies, but try to embrace these challenges. You might feel out of place among younger students, but your experience will make your research more insightful. You'll have a good sense of what's important in the real world. Although you might feel isolated without a cohort, you can create your own academic network through conferences and seminars. The key to success is writing regularly, even if it feels rough at first. Unlike in industry, where you wait to have something important to say, academics write to discover their thoughts. Starting this habit early can greatly boost your PhD journey.

Harold recommends the following next steps:

Start a research journal this week. Not a progress log, a thinking journal.
Have an explicit conversation with your supervisor about expectations.
Find one academic community to join in the next month.
Do an honest audit of your protected time. Part-time PhD's fail most often on time, not intellect.
If you haven't, read one book about the PhD process itself. Not about your subject area, but the actual process of becoming a PhD.
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