Hoang-Phuc Pham is a PhD student in Polymer Science at the University of Connecticut. He was born in Vietnam and spent six years in Taiwan for his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. In addition to research, he is enthusiastic about helping PhD peers become more productive and overcome the shared difficulties of a PhD journey. Hoang-Phuc is especially interested in the arts of multidisciplinary communication and storytelling, recognizing their increasing relevance, even though formal education often neglects these vital skills.

How Generation Z Can Thrive in a PhD

This insightful article highlights how young Gen Z academics can make the most of their unique skills and attributes cultivated by their generational upbringing, and propel themselves towards achieving triumph in their PhD programme and beyond.

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Death by a Thousand Semesters: Are Academic Careers as All-Consuming as People Say?

The stress and all-consuming nature of pursuing an academic career is often detailed in social media posts and anecdotal tales. Whilst it is useful for PhD students to understand the perils of careers in academia, this article provides further context for some of the issues surrounding progression in the academic profession. It runs through five factors that impact on how all-consuming academic careers can be, ultimately advising you to progress in academia at your own pace.

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Anxiety in Academia: Using Anxiety as My Superpower  

Anxiety is a debilitating condition that can make the simplest of tasks difficult, let alone a PhD. This empowering article follows Jake’s experience with anxiety during sixth form and university, and how once he discovered research he began to view anxiety as a superpower to keep his PhD pushing forwards. He shares anxiety-reducing techniques for when it gets too much, including affirmations and breath control, and emphasises the value of accepting anxiety in your life.

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