Fiona, teacher, PhD in medieval studies

 Fiona

Occupation: Teacher of English

Sector: Education (Independent School)

PhD subject: Medieval Studies

Why did you do a PhD?

My reasons were mostly personal. I had completed an MA and really enjoyed it, particularly writing the dissertation on my research project. After my MA I wanted to do more research and felt I had something to say about the topic that interested me.

Describe your current job briefly.

I teach English to 11-18 year olds and am also a form teacher. I am also a member of the boarding staff at the school which involves pastoral responsibilities.

Why did you decide in this career?

Teaching appealed because it is so hands-on and actively involves people. In academia, students seem to be kept at arms length. I taught for three years after my first degree before returning to do research, because I wanted a more varied career path.

What was your job search strategy?

During my PhD I had applied for a part-time teaching post at my current school to support myself. I didn’t get that post, but was contacted by the school subsequently and offered a temporary contract to cover a maternity leave. After this I kept in touch with them until another post was available.

Why do you think you got the job?

The independent sector are keen on teachers with higher degrees and they will reward this. On a practical level, they knew I was available, familiar with the school and had previously been flexible and taken on short-term posts.

Do you think a PhD has had a positive impact on your career?

Yes – in the private sector a PhD gives you something extra which helps you to stand out from other applicants, so I’m confident that my doctorate will be advantageous to my career. It is important as a teacher to be involved in learning and a PhD is a sign of my interest in and contribution to my subject.

Teachers also need to be effective researchers as the A level syllabus had changed significantly. New teaching resources need to be identified; new texts researched and new topics understood. I’ve seen other teachers without research experience find it difficult to keep up with change.

What advice do you have for PhD students to boost their employability?

I think it is important to have some kind of job. It doesn’t just take you away from your research when it threatens to be all-consuming, but it also connects you with the real world. On a practical level Arts and Humanities researchers are perceived as living in the library, so it is good to have a broader range of experience to draw upon.

If your specific career goal is to teach then it is important to show actual contact with children, either through involvement with out reach activities in schools or youth organisations. It is also essential to know if teaching is for you – the realities are quite different from what you may perceive based on your experiences at school.