In January 2010 I stood outside of Durham Cathedral dressed like a tomato wearing a silly hat - it can only mean one thing - I have a PhD. Between 2006 - 2009 I studied for my PhD in Chemistry at the University of Durham before going on to take up a great postdoc' at the University of Cambridge - a postdoc I have since left as I realised that academia wasn't for me. Since founding Graduate Junction in 2008 I have seen just how many options postgraduates have in modern society and that is why I'll be blogging about postgraduate life and career options. There is massive diversity in the opportunities available to postgraduates and I want to make sure that all postgraduates make the most of their degrees.

I received a PhD in English Literature in 2009, since when I have taken on postdoctoral teaching positions at Durham University and at the Open University. Many of my blog posts here relate to teaching the arts and humanities at university. I also compile the weekly postgraduate news round-up. My main blog and website is at http://www.thepequod.org.uk.

From time to time we feature posts from a range of other bloggers in the academic and postgraduate sphere. If you want to write a post for this blog get in touch with Postgraduate Toolbox using the contact form linked at the bottom of this page.

Hello all. I’m Alex and I am 22 years old. I’m from what you might call a very ordinary middle class background in the British Midlands - and wasn’t the first to go to university from my extended family. For the last four years I studied a combined MSci (Chemistry and Physics) at the University of Durham, UK. very recently graduated in June and am now on a 12 month placement with the former ICI making Dulux paints! I also volunteer in schools as part of my position as a STEMNET Ambassador. In the future I’d love to take a look at some kind of involvement in science outreach in the media too. After all, Graduate Junction itself is a part of this vast interdisciplinary maelstrom of modern-day research, that is transcending the institutional level. To date I have not committed to a particular PhD - though, following in Dan’s footsteps, I want to undertake research into surface chemistry, most likely the ‘wet’ kind. As a result I am strictly not yet a postgraduate, unlike many of my peers. Nonetheless I am soon to start work on my first journal publication (involving plasma-based surface chemistry), which is pretty exciting. Throughout my blog posts I’ll explore the decisions I’ve made throughout my career as a a student and professional. I trust you will find something you can relate to, and which adds some perspective to the choices you have made or are soon to make. Watch this space!