changing supervisor three weeks in

[sitka]

I just started an MSc at the beginning of September, but I'm seriously considering asking to change supervisors. My current supervisor is a lovely person, really kind. A little absent and hard to get in touch with, but not so much that I couldn't deal with it.

 

The problem is: when he and I discussed my application to grad school a year ago, it was with a very specific project and very specific role for me in mind, and it would have been an amazing opportunity. Suddenly when I arrived in September, I found out the project had fallen through. I've been spending the last 3 weeks trying to come up with some project proposals that would give me the same benefits as the original project, but I just don't see it happening. I'm afraid now that whatever I end up working on will be too much of a compromise, and won't set me on the career path I want to be on.

 

There is another professor in the same department whose work interests me much more. I'm considering talking to both him and the graduate director of the department confidentially next week, just to test the waters and see what my options are, before I waste too much more time. But, I also am worried about giving myself a bad reputation only three weeks in. 

 

Would really value any thoughts!

[TakeruK]

Your sidebar info says you are in Canada and you say "MSc" so I am assuming that you are in the same type of program as I was in Canada (i.e. fully funded, the prof you're working for pays the bills, you are accepted to a specific prof/project when you get your grad school offer). In this case, note that the switch is really only possible if the new prof is both willing and able (in terms of time and money) to take you on instead. Basically, changing supervisors is convincing the original prof to let you go AND convincing the new prof to "hire" you.

 

I think it's a great idea to talk to the graduate director confidentially. Make sure you emphasize that the project you and your current supervisor talked about when you got your offer is no longer possible. It's really important to have the graduate director on your side throughout the transition. 

 

I think you would definitely want to get this completed in the first semester (i.e. by Christmas). A few months "wasted" is no big deal in the first year of your MSc. I think the profs/graduate director might ask you to try to work things out, and while you should be willing to give it more than a few weeks try, don't let it stretch beyond the first semester. I had a friend where this stretch into 1.5 years and in the end, the friend had to quit the program (with no degree) because there was no research project and at that point, not enough time to complete the extra courses to turn it into a "course based Masters". 

 

Good luck!!

[bsharpe269]

I think that this sort of situation is probably really common. Projects get changed around or dont work out or grant money doesnt happen. If you would be able to do another great project with a different professor then why would it be impossible to propose something that you could get a lot out of to this professor? From what you say, it sounds like he is willing to work with you to come up with a project that you could enjoy. Keep in mind that you could burn bridges by switching, especially if you switch before even trying to come up with a project idea that you and the professor could both like. I mean if you suggest multiple projects and he keeps shooting them down and is uncooperative then that would change the situation a lot in my mind. My advice would be to spend some time trying to come up with something that you could get a lot out of with this professor and then after spending a couple months trying to make it work and it doesnt then I would look into switching.