There are projects that haunt the mind for a long time. And at some point, the moment is here and they want to get out. For about two years I have considered whether I should do my doctorate extra-occupational. The thought of writing a dissertation next to my job has not left me. In between, I almost rejected it. Although I already found a caregiver and met her in a informal meeting my potential colleagues. After all, I finally owe it to these fellow combatants that I approached the matter after all. When we met privately after a few months, they said, "Do it!"

That same evening, I sent the application. Over the internet. Without hours of hiring, as it used to be. And that was the first hurdle. Little joy on the edge: Even my old student ID card still worked.

Doctoral thesis next to the job: how does it work?
When I reported on my latest project, my dissertation at the Institute of History of the University of Vienna, in my circle of friends, the first reaction was: "Well, you have to have time!" What should I say? I have no more time and no less than everyone else. Self-employed as a copywriter who choose Customwriting.com service, mother of two children, "ground staff" for all emergencies at home and whatever else arises. And now next to it the project "Dissertation". But it has been going on for almost two years.

Regular exchange with my colleagues and the supervisor
Together with two colleagues, we meet monthly with our supervisor. We talk about our work and read each other's chapters that we have finished. "How's the doctoral thesis next to the job?" Asked a third colleague who recently graduated with a Master's degree - and it was good to talk about it. Because everyone has a different path, which depends on the professional and private circumstances.

Those who want to do their doctorate extra-occupationally have to be consistent
Use every free minute
Free minutes - such as waiting for the children - are spent with specialist literature. And that's the way it can be before I wait in the car in front of the football field, not, like the others, the phone in front of my nose, but a thick folder on my lap. It is read when it is possible. Thursday I spend consistently with source research in the archive. Sometimes with more, sometimes with less success.

Have time - take your time
"You have to have time," I have in mind when transcribing documents at six o'clock in the morning on Sunday. And I also wonder where I take it, the time. What still spurs me on? The enthusiasm for my topic and the encouragement of those to whom I can report. And the hope that in the end, I will finally have one again: time and then a wonderful product that I can be proud of!