I spent days preparing my dissertation proposal, refining my arguments about natural language processing (NLP) and formative assessment, and anticipating technical questions. I expected those topics to shape my interview for a PhD in Education with a focus on Educational Technology.
In reality, the panel did not discuss the proposal at all. The interview focused more on mental readiness, commitment, and how I understood the realities of the field.
Publications: expectations and reality
One of the most memorable moments came when an examiner asked what I understood about the minimum publication requirement for the research-based route. I answered, “One.” During the interview, the examiner explained that the minimum was five publications, combining journals indexed in Scopus and journals accredited under Sinta.
That exchange was a concrete reminder to understand the programme’s demands more carefully. A steady rhythm of reading, research, and writing needs to begin on day one.
Recognising gaps across disciplines
When asked about my biggest weakness in entering the programme, I chose to answer openly. My undergraduate and master’s degrees are in technology and information systems, rather than education. That means I need to work harder to understand pedagogical theory and the educational research that will underpin my work.
For me, acknowledging a gap in my knowledge is a first step towards deciding what to learn. Technical expertise needs to be accompanied by an understanding of the educational problems the research aims to address.
Industry realities: why choose academia?
The final question was: why become a lecturer instead of continuing to focus on the technology industry?
As a practitioner who builds software infrastructure in my day-to-day work, I answered from a fairly pragmatic career perspective. Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have prompted me to reconsider my direction in software engineering. In my view, intense competition and changing skill requirements are reasons to think more carefully about long-term career options.
Becoming a lecturer is one direction I am considering as a way to contribute through education and research. My family background also plays a part: my parents are academics and professors, so academia is a familiar part of my life.
Ultimately, the interview reminded me that readiness for doctoral study extends beyond a mature proposal. The pace of research, publication requirements, and time commitment all need to be understood from the outset. Today I learned: being honest about my motivations and limitations is also part of preparing for that process.