Dal PhDer

That does help! I honestly can't believe what people are getting paid for at other institutions. As a TA at Dalhousie, you make $21.95 in my department, a marker only makes $14.95. That seems significantly and drastically under average. In fact, part-time faculty under the CUPE only make $38 an hour. (I had to read the newest agreement just to make sure we were making so much less). That's insane. It's unfortunate that TA experience is important, otherwise I would just contract myself out for most of my work!

Agreed. I would make it part of your weekly routine!

It sounds like you're doing a great job! As everyone has said, TA duties and responsibilities will differ between professors. My department has set up an "expectations & objective" sheet for all TAs and markers. Basically, the student and professor sit down together at the start of the semester and outline exactly what is expected from the student for that term. You go over all the assignments, the rubrics, and the number of hours expected per week on your duties. This has been really helpful for me, as I can be sure that I meet my professors expectations. I would recommend doing that for your next position!

$40/hr for a TA position? Wow...we don't make that at my institution, not even close to it. And we're unionized. RA work in general is around $20/hr in my department, and around average. But that's more of a stipend that is allocated for so many hours/week. Thank you for the outline of your wages! It's nice to know what others charge...it's hard to get into the mindset that you're selling valuable skills vs. the 'just give me anything I need money'! It's quite the shift from selling yours self to just taking whatever you get. I have been suggesting $25-28/hr which I am glad to hear is roughly what others are charging. However, I need to discuss this TA rate with my institution! I have been getting seriously jipped!

Yeah, their scoring ranges seem very odd. But don't let getting it or not getting it define you or represent the quality of student that you are. Shake your fist, face palm a few times, and having a couple extra drinks...then brush it off as a life experience!

Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process by K. Rudestam & R. Newton This was just given to me by my advisor and so far it's a great guide!

Relationships can be so hard with grad school... my 5 year relationship didn't make it- 1) distance didn't help and 2) having done our undergrad together, there was a bit of resentment on his side that I was accepted to a masters and then PhD program and he wasn't able/interested in carrying on. At the time of selecting my PhD program, having a partner did limit my selection pool. I most certainly would have applied out of province (if not internationally). Looking back, I wish I hadn't have limited myself for someone- as they are no longer in my life. I think a healthy relationship should be supportive of travel and moving for your school/career/family...all in moderation of course.

When you guys get offered contract work, what do you normally say is your hourly range. I am wondering specifically about RA work-data analysis, lit review, ethics submission, etc. And what do you base this on? I know it's a bit improper and rude to ask, but I have had two people ask me what I would charge, and I am left saying "..ummm...*stunned look*..."

Any health geography students out there?

i was so surprised how quickly I flew through it! It's so nice to shut off your brain at night and just read simple and entertaining materials! How are the others in the series? I must say...I got really disappointed in the character developments half way through. I absolutely LOVED Claire and Jamie for the first half of the book...then I became very disgruntled with them!

Hello all! I am in the midst of changing my topic and direction for my dissertation. It's been about 2 weeks since I decided I wanted to go in a different direction, and I am not feeling anxious that I have not fully pinned down my topic. My original topic was on the construction of an environmental quality tool, but it's not really my background and I just am not as interested as I should be. Last week I talked to my adviser and presented an outline and research objectives on understanding how community gardens are a multi-dynamic intervention that can impact physical activity, nutrition, community dynamics, and psychological wellness. My objectives were focused mostly on the community dynamics and psychological wellness (stress specifically). Having read quite a bit of literature and really thought about my interest, I am not moving towards more of the therapeutic benefits of nature exposure and developing a measure that could quantify exposure. But I feel a bit guilty that I switched my interests again, and don't want to come across as being flipfloppy- but I am also eager to get something solid down on paper and begin the shift of committee members. How did you guys decide your topic? Have you switched or had direction changes? How long did it take you to solidify your research question and create a proposal? My adviser is very much for me switching my topic, and actually is interested in moving into this area himself, so I feel good about the switch, but I want to make sure this is really going to be a project that I have longevity in. I guess this also comes back to the question: how important is your topic? I often see two sides to this topic: 1) You must be passionate and devoted to your topic as you are going to be an expert in this field and 2) this is merely a process to see your ability to conduct independent research, once finished, you will then be able to delve into the topics of your choice. For you, how important is/was your thesis topic? Was this merely a process you went through? Or was this an opportunity for you to study what you are passionate about? Ideally, if you can have both, that's great!

Sorry to hear, Mike. Try not to get it down. I think it's important to realize it doesn't measure the kind of student you are or your ability to complete your degree. With that said, take the time you need to sulk...I did...I still am...I occasionally shake my tiny fist in the air and curse CIHR...I am pretty sure my lab mates think I am crazy.

good luck elixir! I'm with you! I got a grant due Friday- was hoping not to have to write it....oops! We will rock it out though

Grats pspsa! Good work! kaipsychology- that's the right attitude!! Sorry to hear though...but we're awesome regardless of an award!

Grats MMRGirl and Mitcherr!!!! Wahoo!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Kathryn!!!! That is amazing!! I am very very very happy for you!! And it is well deserved! Don't feel sorry at all! You worked hard and deserve it! Enjoy and celebrate!! I will be drinking extra wine for you!

Thanks...I mean...probably for all of us it's the same thing- it's not that we had bad applications, it's just so stupidly hard to get funding. I will probably reapply (for a 3rd time). I am actually getting a co-supervisor (my current supervisor is new, I am his first PhD student- so that was also what brought my score down), and having a few articles in submission- so maybe that will help. Those were the two categories that really killed me. good luck kaipsychology! I am wishing you all the luck in the world!!! *fingers & toes crossed*

yup...high 90s...so...far enough out that I won't get any throwback $$'s..

I had one really good reviewer, and one really poor- which makes me question how they rank it. I got in the 90s...better than my score last year, so that's good!

Mike- hope the silence from you means you are too busy jumping up and down cheering for joy!

Yeah...I am not really sure how they actually score...my scoring seems quite off. I don't know how I could get a 4.6 from one reviewer and a 4.0 from another on the came category.

So, there are a few positives in all this: 1) At least my application wasn't disqualified for a stupid mistake; 2) I am now not being held to any high expectations; and 3) I have an excuse to be drunk for the next 24 hours!

I did

I hear the sound of a wine cork popping...(and low muffled sobbing)... *sigh* Best wishes for those who still haven't checked. Extra booze for those that didn't get the response they wanted. And happy cheers for those that did!

i can't get on..!!