If you go into a PhD not wanting to investigate a really specialist area for 3-4 years and then write 100,000 words about it that only 3 other people will ever

If you go into a PhD not wanting to investigate a really specialist area for 3-4 years and then write 100,000 words about it that only 3 other people will ever read, you've not understood the exercise. Concentration and motivation come and go, but if you're curious enough about the universe then investigating one tiny facet of it in minute detail will always be something you come back to, especially if you'll get the credit for "solving" it (even if only within a tiny crowd). Plus, realising how little you've achieved (but how much you've learned) as you enter your 3rd year is a real kicker. Sincerely, a PhD student 1 month into my 3rd year. Footnote: I'm at Imperial College London, which has a kick-ass transferable skills programme which included (for me) a 4-day residential team skills training course, a "Mini-MBA" (5 lectures, 2 seminars), competency analysis, leadership training, MBTI self-analysis, and a couple of other courses I've forgotten about. You had to attend like 4 credits' worth in the first year, but the rest of that stuff I chose to learn. It was all awesome.