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Thank you! One more suggestion is that you read The Professor Is In by Karen Kelsky, and the earlier the better. Many doctoral students are in the mindset that they are a student in relation to their professors, when actually, they should be in the mindset that they are future colleagues of current professors. They go to class, they complete their assignments, they go home, and think that's it. When actually, they should start thinking of themselves as colleagues, while respecting certain boundaries, as well as network and continuing productivity in the profession. This goes back to the creating knowledge rather than learning knowledge. This book should definitely make you think about the higher education profession as a whole and will make you better prepared.

I highly recommend books A PhD is not enough, and PhD grind, they answer a lot of questions and I wish I've read it before starting my PhD.

Depending on your field, it might be the case that you would get a good position right after your defense, especially since you already have a lot of industry experience and willing to teach. Furthermore, a lot of universities practice 'equal opportunity' policies which forces them to not discriminate based on gender, age, or race. So this might be a good part that by your defense you would be in your early 40's.

It might be a good idea to find someone from your target field and talk to them about their path to their current position, how many postdocs they had to do and so on. Maybe you will find out that some of them don't even have a PhD degree, I don't know. A lot of these things depend on your field.

If I were you, though, I would consider other ways to scratch that teaching itch. Getting a PhD is a daunting and not that rewarding. But then again, it's a nice change of pace and might be your 3-5 years vacation.

1. Treat it like a job. Do 9am-5pm at your desk, every week day, working productively. No facebook, no newspaper. No extra long lunches. Do not work late nights/weekends unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.
   
   
2. Keep yourself accountable for progress. Each week send an email to your supervisor, "this is what I did, this is what I plan to do". Before you send your email, check against last week to see how you did.
   
   
3. This is a good book. It's UK centric which seems like it will help you: https://www.amazon.com/How-get-PhD-handbook-supervisors/dp/0335242022
   
   
4. This is another good book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/PhD-Not-Enough-Survival-Science/dp/0465022227/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485777868&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=a+phd+isnot+enough
   

One of the best books I have ever read is “Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded” https://www.amazon.com/dp/0199760241/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_6MpxCb2Y2PH49

The book is easy to read and has DRASTICALLY improved my science writing. I read this book with my undergraduate lab (like 4 years ago) and still reference now in my PhD program.

Roaring Spring Oversize Lab Book, 11 3/4" x 9 1/4", 76 sheets, Numbered https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002HIGF1Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2aZYBbKDXBKGE

Pilot G2 Retractable Premium Gel Ink Roller Ball Pens Bold Pt (1.) Dozen Box Black; Retractable, Refillable & Premium Comfort Grip; Smooth Lines to the End of the Page, America’s #1 Selling Pen Brand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E6D3W6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_acZYBbXP1FYGK

Basic Care Naproxen Sodium Tablets, 300 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074F2FSX4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_TcZYBbS0NV0S0

Hi there, I like to read On Writing Well yearly to calibrate my writing (lhttps://www.amazon.ca/Writing-Well-Classic-Guide-Nonfiction/dp/0060891548). It's a writing book that doesn't feel like a writing book.

That and of course elements of style... But that one feels like a writing book

I have read this book and like it a lot. It really helped me: https://www.amazon.com/Demystifying-Dissertation-Writing-Streamlined-Process/dp/1579223133/ref=sr_1_5?crid=30ZVYC6WAT1CJ&keywords=demystifying+dissertation+writing&qid=1568752497&s=books&sprefix=demy%2Cstripbooks%2C163&sr=1-5

Here is a second book that is also helpful, but I prefer the first book more: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Successful-Thesis-Dissertation-Strategies/dp/141294225X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=93T5FB5RT5FF&keywords=writing+a+successful+thesis+or+dissertation&qid=1568752352&s=books&sprefix=writing+a+successful+the%2Cstripbooks%2C150&sr=1-1

You can use a paint can opener like this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VEC63I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_C9tuDb0Z13BGA

I would like to add this book as well:

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Young-Economist-MIT-Press/dp/026251589X

The title refers to economists but the chapters on writing and presenting papers -which constitute most of the book- applies to all disciplines.

For how to think about and approach research, you really can't go wrong with The Craft of Research by W. Booth & colleagues. For anything beyond that, such as methodological considerations for particular studies and perspectives within your own field, consider speaking with your professor(s) and taking one or more research methods courses within your department. It's hard to give any further recommendations without information about where you are and what you want to do.

I have something very similar to this one from Amazon: fitueyes standing desk. It has lasted two years, and is fairly study, but cheap enough that I expect I'll leave it behind when I'm through.

I totally forgot...

The Woman Who Smashed Code

​

About the origins of the NSA and Cryptography

How to Write A Lot
https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Lot-Practical-Productive/dp/1591477433

Another suggestion along these lines:

Selected figures and tables from
<dissertation title>

(like this book: https://www.amazon.com/Selected-Tables-Figures-Emergency-Neurology/dp/0190602082)

https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Your-Stupid-Decision-School/dp/0307589447

This is not accurate. No degree in itself prepares you for a profession.

> What they tell us time and again: Their doctorate — while a valuable education that most don’t regret — has little or no connection to their current work and profession.

This does not support the title:

>your doctorate will not prepare you for a profession outside academe

In general, every job seeker with a PhD needs to read good professionalization advice, like:

So, what are you going to do with that?

Navigating the Path to Industry: A Hiring Manager's Advice for Academics Looking for a Job in Industry

but also, reliable up to date information about job prospects, all indicators to which says PhDs are in growing demand in multiple industries:

3 Myths About a Job in Industry After a PhD … Debunked

In a first, U.S. private sector employs nearly as many Ph.D.s as schools do


Cheeky Scientist


>Please don’t send me an email or a Tweet telling me I’m wrong about that. I’m not

She sounds pleasant.