Changing Fields

[Rogue856]

Hi All,

My thoughts are with all those waiting to hear from programs, I was in your shoes this time last year!

For a slightly different issue....

I am in the second semester of a PhD in history and I am wondering if anyone in the forum has any experience changing fields in a very significant way. By that I mean needing a new advisor, new fields, etc without the possibility of keeping my present committee. I have most of the prerequisite language skills, etc for the switch. I came in with an MA, which is supposed to serve as a chapter in my dissertation. Consequently, my advisor and the department have treated me like a student much further along in the program, I have found myself, however, becoming seriously interested in a very different project. There are other factors, key faculty members, one of whom was my co-chair, have since left my present institution, and my present advisor and I haven't quite clicked, but I think (and would like to hear if others agree) that I am better off keeping the focus solely on my changing research interests. I am fairly certain the person who would be my new advisor would be happy to do so.

So, for those who have been in this situation, how did you handle it? Do you recommend it? Would I be better off sticking with the research I have already invested in? How do I handle this within my department without alienating anyone or appearing flaky?

Thanks!

[rising_star]

I would definitely bill it as a change in research interests. You're only in your first year so there's definitely time to change your research topic, especially if you already have the relevant language skills. Before you approach people, you'll want to do your research to make sure that the new area is viable (in terms of it being feasible, there being funding, and the availability/viability of post-grad employment possibilities). To avoid alienating people, focus on the research element and politely ask your current advisor if they'd still be interested in being involved given the new direction.

[AP]

3 hours ago, Rogue856 said:

Hi All,

My thoughts are with all those waiting to hear from programs, I was in your shoes this time last year!

For a slightly different issue....

I am in the second semester of a PhD in history and I am wondering if anyone in the forum has any experience changing fields in a very significant way. By that I mean needing a new advisor, new fields, etc without the possibility of keeping my present committee. I have most of the prerequisite language skills, etc for the switch. I came in with an MA, which is supposed to serve as a chapter in my dissertation. Consequently, my advisor and the department have treated me like a student much further along in the program, I have found myself, however, becoming seriously interested in a very different project. There are other factors, key faculty members, one of whom was my co-chair, have since left my present institution, and my present advisor and I haven't quite clicked, but I think (and would like to hear if others agree) that I am better off keeping the focus solely on my changing research interests. I am fairly certain the person who would be my new advisor would be happy to do so.

So, for those who have been in this situation, how did you handle it? Do you recommend it? Would I be better off sticking with the research I have already invested in? How do I handle this within my department without alienating anyone or appearing flaky?

Thanks!

I have not been in your situation but a student ahead of me was. He came in for one field and changed in his second semester. He is now in the field with the support of a major fellowship. My advice is whatever you do, don't do it because of your advisor/potential advisor. This is your project, you have the power to steer it however you want (with the guidance of advisors, of course). If you have strong reasons to change the field, I don't see why anyone would feel alienated. 

Further, there was one person in our department who did not changed fields, changed advisors because she felt her original advisor prevented her from doing her project. Advisor B is not from her geographical field, but this did not stop her from getting a tenured track job. 

Be professional about how you tackle this, but also be true to yourself. 

AP

 

[TMP]

You have time, still, but as @rising_star pointed out, you'll want to make sure that:

1) there will be enough courses for you in the next 2-3 semesters to help you get through your comprehensive reading list.

2) Look at several comps reading lists and pursue some of most-recommended books to make sure that your questions are relevant to the field's.  I mean, I like environmental history A LOT but I just don't have the same level of thirst as I do with my current major field.  

I changed minor fields for my exam.  I had been taking courses in A and B but B proved to be more interesting to me.  Before switching from A to B, I examined the reading lists of several colleagues who did B and I felt more of a click.   I told the first committee member that I realized that I wasn't intellectually interested in Area A as I thought; the course in Area B helped me realized that Area B was more suitable for my interests.  He was good natured about it.

3) Let your present adviser call the shots whether or not you need to switch.  Good advisers relish a good challenge and will strive for flexibility.  If your current adviser says, "okay! Sounds good to me."  Don't despair.  Give your adviser a chance and get the other person you're thinking of on your exam committee.  Eventually, you might want to consider co-advisers, but only you know what the politics of the faculty are.

4) Definitely seek advice from the DGS concerning your situation.

 

 

[Rogue856]

Thanks all for the advice!

 

1 hour ago, AP said:

I have not been in your situation but a student ahead of me was. He came in for one field and changed in his second semester. He is now in the field with the support of a major fellowship. My advice is whatever you do, don't do it because of your advisor/potential advisor. This is your project, you have the power to steer it however you want (with the guidance of advisors, of course). If you have strong reasons to change the field, I don't see why anyone would feel alienated. 

Further, there was one person in our department who did not changed fields, changed advisors because she felt her original advisor prevented her from doing her project. Advisor B is not from her geographical field, but this did not stop her from getting a tenured track job.

 

I would not say the change is solely because of my advisor, but it is a factor, especially now that my co-chair is gone, and before that another member of my committee...I think I am worried about alienating people because I did walk in *very* sure of what I wanted to do, and so my advisor and I have already begun designing my comps exam. This is a 180 that's really taken me by surprise. I have been holding back on taking any action because I want to be sure, but I am also worried that the more I wait the worse it will be.

 

1 hour ago, TMP said:

3) Let your present adviser call the shots whether or not you need to switch.  Good advisers relish a good challenge and will strive for flexibility.  If your current adviser says, "okay! Sounds good to me."  Don't despair.  Give your adviser a chance and get the other person you're thinking of on your exam committee.  Eventually, you might want to consider co-advisers, but only you know what the politics of the faculty are

Part of my concern is there is no feasible way I could ask my present advisor to stay on my committee, or approach them with the idea that they would stay. The change is drastic enough that they would no longer make any sense. That's where the concern about appearing flaky comes in.

[AP]

23 hours ago, Rogue856 said:

I would not say the change is solely because of my advisor, but it is a factor, especially now that my co-chair is gone, and before that another member of my committee...I think I am worried about alienating people because I did walk in *very* sure of what I wanted to do, and so my advisor and I have already begun designing my comps exam. This is a 180 that's really taken me by surprise. I have been holding back on taking any action because I want to be sure, but I am also worried that the more I wait the worse it will be.

Mhm. You know, we go to grad school to learn, to change, to grow. The *very* sure I totally buy it, but I don't think *any* advisor really thinks that their students cannot change in grad school. Otherwise, what would be their job? In the humanities especially, I think it is not *that* terrible. (PS: I am using ** not as a mock, but because I really want to make my point). I'd say that you are at the perfect time for having this conversation with faculty/advisor. Also, remember the graduate committee in your department could also guide you/assist you. An advisor cannot "own" you, it is not up to them, it is up to you. Really.