August 2012’s Graduate Profile of the Month is Herminder Kaur. Herminder graduated, in 2011, with a BSc Sociology and is currently studying MA Social Research at Warwick University.
Your background:
I am from Leicester; I studied Graphics, Biology, Chemistry and Sociology at A Level. Before coming to Loughborough University, I attended the open day for undergraduates and was impressed by the feel of the student experience. Staff at the Department for Social Sciences were extremely helpful and I knew instantly this was the university I wanted to complete my degree at.
Where are you now?
Having graduated from my degree in Sociology with a First, I applied for a Master’s at Warwick University studying MA – Social Research. Currently, I am studying for my second semester and applying for a PhD at various universities including Warwick and Loughborough.
How did you get there?
I was offered a studentship for a PhD at Loughborough however I choose to study for a Masters in Social Research Methods following advice from my dissertation supervisor. I applied to many universities, including Warwick and it was my dissertation supervisor who encouraged me to go to there. I am extremely happy that I listened to his advice as it is a great university to study at.
Where are you going?
My ambition for the next three years is to get on a PhD course that is fully funded by the ESRC. The Graduate School at Loughborough offers a competition every year open to all faculties to which I have applied. Currently Warwick University has offered me an unconditional offer for a PhD starting in October. The research is in the area of internet and disability studies focusing particularly on the use of the internet by physically disabled teenagers. Even though I am currently studying at Warwick University my pervious tutor Paula Saukko at Loughborough continually helped me prepare a competitive research proposal enabling me to be offered a PhD place. Preparing for a research proposal can take many months therefore I would suggest anyone that is thinking of a PhD should start early as possible to produce a competitive and well thought out research proposal.
