Switching Ph.D. advisor 1 month in?

[0_o]

Hi there,

 

I recently graduated from an institute of technology with an MS in engineering, for the nearly 6 years I had a focus on one particular topic which really interests me.  I could have stayed at the same school to do my phd but decided going somewhere else would be good.  So I applied, but decided to switch gears a bit, I'm still in the same engineering department as I was before (i.e. aero, or mech etc) but had my reasons to expand beyond that one topic.

 

Now that I've been in this new field of research, I'm not sure that I have the passion to continue.  Granted there are some really great things and opportunities that I would get that most people would only dream of.  I also have the nicest advisor in the world, she has very high expectations though, which is normal ofcourse.  But now I wish I would have stayed with my original topic since I've already built up a significant base of knowledge.  In this new field, I literally know nothing, and the classes are kind of boring. 

 

So my question is, how do I approach this situation as I am a GRA and thus funded by my current advisor.  I would like to ask if professors in my field of interest at the same university have an opening as a GRA, but if my advisor were to find out I'm asking other professors he would probably not take that well.  

 

There are also several possibilities.  1. There are currently no GRA positions available in my field of interest, in which case I would prefer to just continue what I'm doing now, at least for a little while longer.  2. There are only GRA positions available starting in the fall, in which case, if I were to take it, my current advisor would probably stop funding me? 3. There is a GRA available right now, in which case all I would have to do is confront my current advisor.  

 

I know I'm being very ambiguous here, but I'm trying to avoid anyway of being identified.  Let me know if I was clear enough.

 

Thanks in advance!

[aberrant]

Did you ever address your concern to your PI and ask for his/her suggestions? You can't do much if s/he doesn't take it well even if you are being honest.

[0_o]

I have not yet talked to my advisor about this.  The reason is because I know for a fact that he won't take it well, in fact in the interview he stressed that this would be different from what I had been doing.  At the time that sounded really good to me.  If I go talk to him though, and then there is no GRA available with the other professor, then I pretty much lose out on a phd.  I think I'd still prefer my current topic to not doing a phd at all.  The problem is that I don't know how far I'll get and if I'm really motivated enough to do this for 4-5 years.  Also, when I get in industry I definitely want to continue working on my original topic that I focused on in my undergrad and MS.  

[Dal PhDer]

I think you risk more going behind your PIs back and checking around for other positions...there other people you ask might be hesitant to take on a student who is going behind the back of their supervisor...also, if your supervisor gets wind of it, it might be an non-repairable situation in your relationship.

 

I would (a) talk to your department chair about the possibility of switching and working with another advisor, and ( talk to your current supervisor about the issues you're currently struggling with.

 

You should also consider the fact that your PhD work is merely a means...it's not the work you'll always be doing. So if you're working on a funded project that you think will hold your interest and move you in and out quickly, it might be worth staying. 

 

I know when you're in a situation that's not making you happy, you tend to react quickly...but I would just step back and weigh your options, and make sure you have open communication with your PI.

 

I considered adding a co-supervisor, and went to talk to some people while I was still steaming and unhappy in my situation. I 100% regret it, because i feel I didn't present myself and my abilities as an honest and dedicated student. If people think you flipflop when the time gets rough, they won't take you seriously and will remember you as someone who was unsure, potentially wasted their time, and disrespected their own advisor. I'm not saying that this is you, but having been in a situation where I was looking for other options, I really regret jumping forward without taking a step back and considering the implications and future networking issues that I might have caused.

 

Goodluck!

[0_o]

Thank you Macciato, that was really helpful.

[St Andrews Lynx]

Now that I've been in this new field of research, I'm not sure that I have the passion to continue.  Granted there are some really great things and opportunities that I would get that most people would only dream of.  I also have the nicest advisor in the world, she has very high expectations though, which is normal ofcourse.  But now I wish I would have stayed with my original topic since I've already built up a significant base of knowledge.  In this new field, I literally know nothing, and the classes are kind of boring. 

I'd advise you to stick at it for a bit longer. If the main problem is that you know nothing and don't like the classes...that will pass. It might just take a while for the knowledge to sink in or click, so give it time (it took you 3 years to get your UG and become a specialist in your first field, after all)

Learn about your new field outside of the classroom - read the newest journals, look up more interesting textbooks in the library. Attend seminars or a conference. There must be some aspect of the field that gets you excited.

Do talk to your advisor if you're struggling to adapt to the new field, but don't indicate to them that you want to switch. It's better to admit there's a problem early, rather than hide the fact and flounder in your research later. Hopefully your advisor will come up with less dramatic ways to address your problems & give you useful advice.

 

Hope things get sorted for you soon.