Sheffield’s History department is well-respected and well-connected to the wider academic community in the UK and beyond

Why did you decide to undertake your research degree at Sheffield?

For several reasons, but the main one was that I had completed my BA in History at Sheffield and was studying for my MA in Medieval History in the department at the time I applied, and felt at home, settled, and valued in the department. I had a great relationship with my MA dissertation supervisor, who would also be my PhD supervisor, and knew that under his supervision, I would receive the balance I needed of support, encouragement, and independence. Through the wider department, I had access to a wide range of other academic staff with expertise directly relevant to my research, a great community of fellow PhD students, and a library comparatively well-stocked with the Late Antique and Early Medieval sources I needed. 

What did you particularly enjoy?

My PhD gave me the groundedness of a base in Sheffield, but the opportunity to travel – my research was focused on the Rhineland in Late Antiquity, and I was able to spend several weeks a year researching in Germany. As Sheffield’s History department is well-respected and well-connected to the wider academic community in the UK and beyond, I was able to forge connections with museums, libraries and academics in Germany, which gave me invaluable extra insight and experience. 

My research was challenging but I felt completely supported, and I had the opportunity to present at conferences and contribute to publications and reviews, which was as valuable an experience for a career outside of academia as it would have been had I chosen to pursue an academic career immediately following my PhD. 

What did you do after graduation?

Thanks to a quirk of timing, by the time I graduated, I was already working full time for a Big 4 accountancy firm! 

What have you been doing since then?

I continue to work for the same Big 4 firm, but have also returned to studying and am completing a second MA in a related discipline via distance learning, building on the skills I developed in Sheffield. 

How did your time at Sheffield and your History degree help prepare you for this role?

My undergraduate degree at Sheffield taught me a great number of important transferable skills, including the ability to conduct extensive research independently, present myself and my work to an audience, and work effectively with my peers. I was able to further develop all of these skills at postgraduate level, overcoming my remaining shyness and maturing into a more confident researcher and presenter of my views. I continue to use all of these skills at work on a day-to-day basis, as I interact with colleagues and clients. 

What top tips would you give to someone coming here to study? 

Choose your topic (and your supervisor!) wisely! You will be spending 3+ years on your research, and innumerable hours with your supervisor over those years, so your topic needs to be something you’re really interested in and committed to researching, and your supervisor needs to be someone you feel you can work closely with, and take constructive criticism as well as positive feedback from, throughout that period. 

Also, don’t worry if you decide – before, during, or after your PhD – that a career in academia isn’t for you. It’s not for everyone, and I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t for me (at least not at that point in my life) relatively late in my PhD, but haven’t regretted doing my PhD for a second! I grew as a person as well as a researcher, had a fantastic 4 years, and made friends I’m still in touch with seven years later.