I want to study abroad; I’d like to ask those with experience!
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Dear friends, I graduated with a Ph.D. in engineering in 2008 and joined a state-owned enterprise; the work was okay (but the salary was too low). Recently, seeing that my classmates have all gone abroad to study after graduation, I also want to go abroad (I applied before graduation but didn’t get accepted). I want to go out now, but I don’t know how to apply after starting work; please those with similar experience can give some advice. Thank you
1# Xiaofeng: First of all, I’m not a doctor, but I do have some knowledge about going abroad. The first thing to consider is the approach: 1. You can choose to go abroad to pursue a doctoral degree again, which means having to spend another 5 or 6 years there； 2. You can go abroad for a postdoctoral fellowship; this is the path chosen by the vast majority of domestic doctors. Ways to go abroad include contacting professors with similar research interests on your own to have academic discussions, or having your supervisor recommend you to acquaintances (depending on your relationship with your supervisor and their network). Finally, I want to say that if you choose the first path, you’ll be too old by the time you emerge, and it’s not worth it. Choosing the second path also involves risks; there are many people going abroad these days. It’s difficult to establish a foothold abroad after completing a postdoctoral degree, and competition back in one’s home country is fierce as well, with too many returnees.
It’s clear you’ve gone through a lot. Thank you for your analysis. Is it possible to apply for a postdoctoral position abroad after starting work?
3# Xiaofeng: It’s okay; applying for a postdoctoral position requires a research focus that is relevant to the field