Dal PhDer

I certainly agree with this! I am realizing more and more that the people who I work with are key. I am certainly battling between doing something I really really am interested in, and realizing that I just need to get a project, do it, and get out- and you really need to make compromises. I just began working with someone new on my committee, and his perspective really has shaken me up and made me rethink things. He basically said that this is just one tiny step in answering the question I want, and that a PhD is not to answer some profound question, it's to light the spark in you and teach you the skills to continue to take the steps you need to take to get you to the point where you can answer that big ol' important question. I think a lot of students get caught into this idea that they have to do something big, new and inventive. And to be honest, this has been reiterated by my supervisor many times...and I think it's held me back/down in moving forward. This is such an excellent point!! Thank you! And I think it's important to sit back and really take a look at where you want to go. It's one thing to be interested in something and want to pursue it, but if there's no interest/buy-in outside of you, then it's not going to get you anywhere. It's interesting to really think about how you choose your project...it's a fine balance between your own interest, others interests, and working relationships.

fuzzy & Sigaba, Thank you both for the advice! Actually, my first step was talking to my graduate coordinator. When I first decided I was unhappy enough to bring it up to someone's attention, I actually went to her to ask about quitting the program. She was really great, and made me sit and discuss why I wasn't enjoying the process...it really came down to the lack of guidance/structure from my advice, and recommended that I either change supervisors or bring in a co. So I am really lucky that my department is supportive. However, while she has said it's no uncommon for students to change supervisors, I do recognize that having a student approach you (at the end of her 2nd year) may be a red flag for some professors. This of course scares me. While many students are co-supervised in my program, this agreement is normally done prior to applying to the program and set-up long in advance. Because I am already into my program, and there's existing dynamics, I guess I am just worried about the politics. Right now, I don't know any students that have done this...the IDPhD program here is really odd...students are quite isolated, as their home department is the Faculty of Graduate Studies, rather than one of their disciplines. So I often only see students at IDPhD functions, and they can be from vastly different disciplines. My biggest concern is how this will look on my now and in the future. I have been told by my graduate coordinator that it doesn't look back on me, but I do understand that working relationships may be impacted. I might be playing it too cautious, I just want to make sure I don't step on anyone's toes..and am curious to know how a professor would interpret a student in my position coming to ask them to co-supervise...I wonder if they would automatically assume there is something wrong in the student-supervisor relationship....hell...I might just be hitting my paranoid panic button waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too soon!

I think there are pros and cons- and of course, it's dependent on personality etc. I am finding two major downfalls (1) lack of time: Mind you, this is not just for new faculty, but TT has caused a lack of time both to meet, review my products, and provide guidance. There is just so much on his plate that teaching often falls on the back burner- or in the garbage can under the sink. I think this is not necessarily the fact that he's new, but it certainly doesn't help. (2) Lack of skills/experience: This is truly the most difficult aspect of a young prof. If they are not willing to take the time and effort to learn how to supervisor, manage, organize, etc...it can be a difficult process. Having worked with someone who has been 'in the business' for quite some time, I notice a huge difference. It takes experience and skill to truly help guide a student through this process- simply helping them adapt their project to make it manageable is a big skill. Pair that with learning how to successfully write grant application and publishable papers- these are things that profs don't just pick up after their PhD/Post-doc, these are skills they learn throughout their career. I do think you make a good point that it might be easier to maintain that connect and understanding, since they would have just gone through the process...but for me, the lack of skills/experience and little time- is making it very difficult. I have recently picked up 2 mentors. One is a committee member, and the other is a woman I work with who is in a completely different discipline. It's nice to see 'seasoned' professionals/professors work, and really provide insight. I think it's important to have a balance between a new eager professor, and a seasoned experienced professor- it's not black or white, and it's dependent on personalities...but I really believe that a well-rounded, balanced, and muti-perspective committee is best for this experience...mind you, I am in interdisciplinary studies, so I might be biased!

I think TA interviews are more of a formality. Honestly, whenever I've been in a TA interview, it's more just to check out my availability and schedule, not an actual 'evaluation' of my skills. However, I would come prepared. Bring a CV, TA evaluations, and syllabuses of previous courses. I would be prepared to talk about schedule, time management, and talking about instances where you've handled difficult situations with students/classes. I would also come with a clear idea of your schedule and other commitments that you have for the semester you're looking to TA in. Also, I might include a syllabus/paper/work that you have taken/done that relates to the class you are going to TA for- to show your background/expertise/experience with that topic. Good luck!!

Grats! Sounds like you kick that prelim in the wooha!

I like to think that glasses make me look extra smart! Just keep telling yourself that!! And as sam_1 said, you can get super fancy and fun frames (all the fun of having glasses is picking out the frames!!)

Thanks for the comments! I guess I should clarify a few things.. I want to avoid replacing my supervisor. So my plan is to bring a co-supervisor in to help balance the lack of guidance of am currently getting and provide some form of mentorship so I can move forward with my degree. I guess you would say 'check and balance'. In my department, as it is interdisciplinary, it is not uncommon for students to be co-supervised, and have the duties/responsibilities/work of a PhD student delegated between two people. The past two years I haven't had much help from my committee of supervisor. My committee members have been formalities that have had no contact with me, and my supervisor, while I do like him and he is brilliant, is new and does not really have the skills (time and interest) in helping me learn and move forward in my degree (for instance, I gave him a new project proposal to read for my new topic, and he set 3 deadlines for himself to read it, didn't meet any of them, didn't end up reading it, and has now left for 3 weeks on vacation where he will have no computer access- so I have spent 6 weeks sitting on a piece of work which is wanted to review before I moved forward on it...) I am reorganizing my PhD to (1) include a topic I am passionate about, (2) include committee members that I personally know, have working relationships with, and will act as a mentor or a source of support for me outside of a supervisor position, and (3) bring in another supervisor to help mentor my current supervisor and provide me with an actual figure of help. So, I guess I am worried about how I approach someone and ask them to be apart of a project (and if they would look down on a PhD student who, in her 2nd year, is starting over). Also, I don't want to convey to them that I am having these issues, as I don't want to put a black mark on my current supervisor, but I also want them to know that I am looking for them to be a key role in this process. I am really worried about the 'politics' of all this, and ensuring that things go smoothly!

I agree...passion is key...but I am constantly being told by committee members to hold off on what I really want to do, and just do a project that I can get done quickly...what i really want to do is what I should be building my career on...i do agree with this in some respects, but I also want to feel passion and enjoyment. It's hard to balance these competing ideas if they are not aligned. I often wonder how much your supervisor/committee members should be involved in helping you narrow your question down. I am at the point where I have written a new SIRI for my department with a question and my supervisor ok'd it, but my committee members are now telling me it's not realistic. They are pushing for me to do something different and just get it done quickly. I would rather them take my topic of interest, sit down with me, and come up with a realistic plan that incorporates what I am interested in...BAH!! Life!

I am in the process of asking another professor to come onto my committee as a co-supervisor. I am just finishing my second year, and have written a new proposal on a different topic {I am very happy with this change, and looking forward to bringing on co-supervisor to help ease the difficulties I am having with my current supervisor}. I am wondering if anyone else has gone through this process, how they approached a new supervisor, and/or any advice. I am quite nervous about asking someone to come on. I am not sure if I should lay out that I don't expect funding from them, or not. Ideally, I am interested in bringing someone else in that will show me the time and effort of reading/reviewing my work, providing critical and constructive feedback, and will help me move forward with my degree. I also don't know if I will be asked why i am bringing on a co-supervisor, if it will look bad, or if this is a common thing. I certainly don't want them to know that I am not in the most ideal supervisor-student relationship right now. Any advice? Feedback? Should I just jump in? Run away screaming?

This!! Perfect!!! I think it's always important to include a weakness in a reference letter, but spin it as this weakness is something that the student is working to overcome. It shows acceptance of criticism (we're all human), and determination and motivation to overcome a fault. I also like pinkrobot's suggestion about your email response. I think this is key, and perhaps you could interject in there that you know this is a weakness, and have been trying to manage your time more appropriately and ensure that you make deadlines. This might make your reference maybe downplay her critique! Good luck! Don't quit! this is a learning experience!

Trying to do my readings: Expectations: Reality: When's the weekend???

I think on a bigger level this article taps into the fact that people with higher education are often not being compensated fairly for their skills. She's a parttime faculty and is making $900 a month? Seriously? that's outrageous. I understand what you're saying ANDS!, it takes A LOT more than just a degree to get a a good stable, long-term and decent paying job...you need to set up a foundation of skills, networks, etc and be might have to relocate. But I think there are huge disparities between TT and other faculty positions. And I kind of question if there should be. I look at my department, and most of the teaching is outsourced to part-time faculty making marginal wages (slave labour considering the hour to pay ratio for some of them). It just seems that our own institutions seem to be devaluing our knowledge and skills...makes looking for non-academic position a bit more attractive.

*cue my mental meltdown* ...that is scary...honestly, I am doing my PhD because the job market is so poor and I want more opportunities...you hardly think that those opportunities still won't come to you after you are done. Scary....thanks for showing us this- I think! >.<

oh my goodness!! Where do I start!!! Ahh! Ok- I think dating other grad students is okay...dating other grad students in your lab...uuugh. I think people need to be careful about departmental/lab dating- especially if you are trying to 'hide it'. Don't. We all know. And you will become the butt of so many inside jokes. I also think that this has the opportunity to look bad on the students from the supervisor's point of view, and other lab mates. I am single, and I often wonder if I were to date someone now, if it would be easier to date a fellow grad student verses non-student. On one side, a non-student offers a complete and utter break from the lifestyle and would give a different perspective, however, a fellow student understands the work/stress demands, the internal processes of defenses, comps, student/advisor relationships. I am not sure if it's about having 'more in common', as I would like to find a SO that I connect with on many levels outside of school/work, but I think it would be easier with a student, and they can understand the sacrifices and commitments that you have to make during this process.

Honestly, your social life is what you make it. Others have said it- you will always have work to do, but it's setting goals (and limits) and making sure you have the right balance. I put in work during the days, evenings, and weekends...but I make sure that I take time off (an evening twice a week, lunch/dinner with friends, gym/walk during the day)...and when I do- I DON'T THINK OR TALK ABOUT SCHOOL/WORK! I like having friends outside of my program, because when we go out, I am away from school- it's a real break. Mind you, it's great to have friends in the program too, and be able to have relaxing study days at the library, or grabbing a drink and venting about your project, the lab, supervisors, coworkers. You need a break to have you time, or you will get burnt out. the other thing I find helps me is making sure the time I spend working, is quality time. I can work all day, but get nothing done because I am on here (lalalala), facebook, gossip websites, gchat....I spend more time 'working' because that's how I like to do it...I work hard for an hour, and then fluff off for an hour....I find a lot of students will 'work' 24/7, but when you really break down what they do, they aren't putting in 'real' work...if you know what I mean. I also think that work/social life will be a bit up and down. I know I have times during the year (March-April) where I am swamped and no matter what I do, I am ALWAYS busy...but that's life. My biggest piece of advice- make sure you schedule YOU time...give yourself a day or couple evenings off- you will need it!

Good luck!! We are all wishing you the best!!!! You will do great!

Great advice here. To me, when I read your post I was like "WOW! I have been slacking...." haha.. I do think it's discipline dependent, and as others have said- don't evaluate your progress to other students. Your PhD is you own journey, and you need to take out of it what you want. For me, my first year was all courses and focused mostly on that (plus 1 publication, 2 conference presentations, and scholarship applications). In my second year, I mostly focused on another publication, RA'ship, TA'ing, more grant apps, and another conference. For my program, courses are to be taken in your first year, once they are finished then you can work on your comps...once your comps are finished, you are able to propose your dissertation topic, and once passed- work on your dissertation. So your program work does not overlap a lot...as for other stuff- it's expected of me to get a publication a year and a conference presentation a year. I have taken on TA and RA work for my own interest and gaining skills- which have lead to additional pubbles and conferences. The key thing to remember is that you don't want to get overwhelmed and take on too much, and you CAN'T compare yourself to others. Quality is better than quantity.

fuzzy has given you some really great advice! For me, the first few steps in generating a research project are as followed 1) I read a few papers in the area that I am interested in...if you do a good broad search, 15 may be enough- this is really discipline dependent. 2) Once I know the 'area' that I am interested in, and have my papers, I look at the discussion section and see what kinds of limitations these studies faced or listing as gaps in the current knowledge. This helps me see what the current issues/gaps are in this area. 3) once I know the gaps and have more detail in the area that I am interested in, I can start forming a question. For me, it was helpful to have a question to take to my supervisor to begin with. It kind of gives you a working point to start off of. Key things I think about when I read the literature and think about my question are: what will be my dvs and ivs, what is my population of interest, is there a specific methodology/method I want to use, what kind of data might I need to answer my question, who might I need to work with..etc. Figuring out these kinds of things will help you narrow your question. IMO, I think it's better to to a broad lit search to help you figure out your question. Once you have your question down, then it's time to really dive deep into the literature. I have recently changed my dissertation topic, and came up with a new question and objectives. I have written a 7 page proposal with easily 35+ papers referenced in it. Some of these are skimmed, or for specific items- on average, I try to read 4-5 articles a day, and synthesize/write along with it. Hopefully this helps!

I haven't done a lot of qualitative work, but have used Creswell's Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches quite often as a reference. You may want to think about checking out what your school has in its library, and then if you find a good reference, consider purchasing it.

THEY WORK! I have a super hydrating under the eye stick that I use...and it's amazing! It also wakes me up when I pull an long night! I pop it in the fridge and then roll it on and I'm wide awake!

I am going into my third year and I often have nightmares...most of them consist of me having to take highschool courses because I didn't have the recommended pre-reqs for some strange out of my area course...or that I am just about to graduate and I find out I have to take 2 more years of courses.....nightmares are pretty common, and will probably still happen once you're in the program! Yay!! :) As for the syllabus...I have asked professors for a course syllabus during the semester before. I don't see the harm in it, especially if you say that you're just curious to see the readings and start preparing (and like others have said, ask for a previous year). I find at this level profs are pretty. When I was picking my courses I would email profs and ask for the syllabus so I could see the content of the course. No one ever had a problem with it, and was often happy to discuss the course content with me!

I think people have pointed out really great advice. I feel like I am also in a similar situation, as my advisor is junior faculty and I am his first PhD student. For me, I think the presence of an additional faculty member to be a mentor would be beneficial for my supervisor and me. So, I think a mentor for you might be really great. My biggest piece of advice is that you don't use this mentor to discuss issues/problems you have with your supervisor. It is my experience that word travels, and you would hate to say something to the mentor that gets back to your advisor...that would be my only concern.

..although "I finished the rest of the internet early." is CLASSIC! ...got a good chuckle out of me!

I would LOVE to blog...but I honestly don't think I am interesting enough.....heh heh! I will check out your blog! It looks great!

Yup, I think the time before class is REALLY important for students... I also noticed that once you hit grad school (and it changes a bit too between masters and PhD), the relationship with your professors change. In my UG, the profs could have cared less who you are and what you were doing- you were a student and they were the teacher. In grad school, it was more a mentor-student relationship where they were interested in your work, progress, background, etc....it almost moved more to a peer-peer relationship. Embracing it, and reciprocating (e.g., asking them about their work), will really get you to stand out!