People keep asking me about the "killer jobs" in these difficult times. Yes, it's quite straightforward if you think. Adjudicators will thrive and so will excellent project managers, construction IT professionals and so on. But I have a problem with this view. It's not the killer jobs one should focus on really. The fact is that during difficult times there will be even more applications for every open position so even if we're talking about the best job one might not get it unless equipped with an arsenal of key skills, the right attitude and personality. First of all, companies will be seeking to reduce costs so you are far more likely to strike the accord if you can prove multiskilling abilities and attitude. Secondly, not matter what position one looks at, it definitely requires project management skills. While best courses on the subject on top of some experience form a good start there is one option that has so far been almost entirely neglected by the industry in general.
Conducting PhD research is at least to me by far the best project management "training" you can possibly get. You've got limited resources, limited time, you need to satisfy rigorous quality standards and research by itself resembles sailing through dense fog in treacherous waters. Yep, it is difficult but hugely rewarding and once you complete your PhD there is almost no limit - you can literally take almost any challenge. Even if you eventually have to hide your title to get a job in the industry it's the project management skills that you gain that matter more than anything else let alone lifetime friendships that you make along the way.
