Professionalism

Communication

  • Committee management.  Making sure we (especially my co-chairs) were on the same page.  Trips back to Austin to meet with members of my committee 3-4 times per year.
  • Keep in frequent email or phone contact and make appointments to visit in Austin at least once a semester.  I traveled back and forth about once a month--thanks to SW Air, free airport shuttle bus to campus, and friends who let me crash at their place.
  • I did all of my fieldwork in a different country and then moved there before finishing the dissertation.  I felt completely forgotten by my chair and most of my committee during the fieldwork, but then while writing figured out the best way to communicate with my chair - AIM chats. AIM chats are instant messaging - AIM is the name of the AOL program. Yahoo also has one and there is one called ICQ.  Basically, you download the program and register a name and password.  Then when you have the program open (while on-line) it will tell you if the other person is also on-line. Then you can type a conversation.  If the professor can handle e-mail, this should not be too difficult.  When I began fieldwork my chair did not know how to open attachments and even he got the hang of it.  We would schedule a time to both be on-line (like a regular meeting) and then type our conversation.  The best part is you can save the whole transcript, which was invaluable for future reference when I forgot what my chair had suggested.
  • The student is the driving force. One professor in my department said a successful Ph.D. student (i.e., one who graduates timely, gets funding goodies, etc.) is always bugging the chairman, as opposed to the other way around (partly because mostly chairmen don't bug students until it's way too late). I talk (briefly) with my chairman at least once a week - to update on my progress, make sure we're on the same page, to set his expectations for what I'm going to give him next and when, and so forth.
  • I BCC myself on every email so that I have a record of my inquiries in case I ever need to point out my tenacity to a committee. 
  • Maintaining communication with cohorts (friends) still on campus.

Scheduling Issues

  • Get advisor's calendar for the semester--especially travel dates and other important deadlines--such as grant proposal due dates. Then decide what your deadlines will be to get drafts to her/him around those times. In other words...why rush to get a draft in the mail only to discover that she's on her way out of town for a week and won't read it. Alternatively, a couple of times my advisor said: "Send it to me and I'll read it on the plane."
  • Find out what the turn around time will be for advisor and other members to read drafts and then work back from there. Start with the date you want to defend and work backwards to determine when you would need to complete chapters.

When To submit a draft?

ABD3: Here's a question, at what stage of writing do you send stuff to your advisor? May 20, 2005 4:41:10 PM CDT
ABD1: I am actually wondering if I should wait until I have the whole thing May 20, 2005 4:43:14 PM CDT
ABD3: Okay, so I heard get chapters to committee early so that they don't save big changes for end. But after the first few chpaters wait until the end to avoid too much suggestion. May 20, 2005 4:44:56 PM CDT
ABD2: ok, early at first then late as it gets closer to end May 20, 2005 4:45:58 PM CDT
ABD3: My advisor says the committee doesn't want to read that much and that when you give the diss before the defense, they will let the chair know before hand if there is anything major (so as not to surprise you at the defense) May 20, 2005 4:46:21 PM CDT
ABD1: right now I'm planning on going halvies, because if the early changes feellike too big a hit, its hard to get going again May 20, 2005 4:46:26 PM CDT
ABD3: ABD1, that's good point. I'm waiting until the end to put my edits in just so I can keep moving forward. May 20, 2005 4:46:57 PM CDT
ABD2: not sure about that it got me burned May 20, 2005 4:47:19 PM CDT
ABD1: i was planning on having different committee members read different sections 'early', the sections they each care about most May 20, 2005 4:47:40 PM CDT
ABD3: I understand. My problem is I get lost in the editing process for hours on end . May 20, 2005 4:48:00 PM CDT

Submitting Drafts to Committee

ABD1: ok, a warning: it's been my experience that once it goes to committee things get pretty chagned around so send it sooner i would say Jun 17, 2005 4:19:32 PM CDT
ABD2: I don't understand your send it off comment Jun 17, 2005 4:20:04 PM CDT
ABD1: i'm revising my chap and it's turned into 2 Jun 17, 2005 4:20:08 PM CDT
ABD2: on advise from the advisor? Jun 17, 2005 4:20:25 PM CDT
ABD1: you might want to solict feedback from a trusted advisor sooner rather than later Jun 17, 2005 4:20:34 PM CDT
ABD1: i want to graduate and if they are going to be an obstacle I need to know how high Jun 17, 2005 4:24:17 PM CDT
ABD2: meaning your questions were still a bit fuzzy and now the line of arguement is more solid Jun 17, 2005 4:24:18 PM CDT
ABD1: no more along the lines of structure and what is expected being a potential scholar in my field Jun 17, 2005 4:25:07 PM CDT
 ABD1: also what it is going to take for them to let me graduate Jun 17, 2005 4:25:35 PM CDT
ABD1: send them something, i think Jun 17, 2005 4:26:23 PM CDT
ABD2: should they be longer shorter.... Jun 17, 2005 4:26:24 PM CDT
ABD1: for my people, 40 pgs is all Jun 17, 2005 4:26:42 PM CDT
ABD2: I'm going on about 30 pages each Jun 17, 2005 4:26:48 PM CDT
ABD1: seems good but that's based upon my field Jun 17, 2005 4:27:13 PM CDT
ABD1: I think, based upon my experience, to send something presentable to a supervisor....and good to get one in confidence soon i would say or you'll be up against a bunch of strangers at the defense or just before it Jun 17, 2005 4:30:22 PM CDT
ABD2: I get that but my advisors scare me Jun 17, 2005 4:32:00 PM CDT
ABD1: that is, that my argument was more or less there and I knew what wasn't there as far as arguemt.. Jun 17, 2005 4:32:12 PM CDT

Candidacy Issues

ABD1: here's another danger in it: how far are you into your candidacy? Jun 17, 2005 4:35:18 PM CDT
ABD2: I've been in canidacy for 2 maybe 3 years Jun 17, 2005 4:35:53 PM CDT
ABD1: there are limits to that time Jun 17, 2005 4:36:13 PM CDT
ABD2: I am planning on having a draft by fall, a draft I would let them see Jun 17, 2005 4:36:19 PM CDT
ABD2: I know of folks who have been in canidacy for much longer than I am right now, that's not my concern Jun 17, 2005 4:36:47 PM CDT
ABD2: Is it a concern for you? Jun 17, 2005 4:36:54 PM CDT
ABD1: that's waht all the fuss was Jun 17, 2005 4:37:11 PM CDT
ABD2: when is your time up? when did you go into canidacy Jun 17, 2005 4:37:53 PM CDT
ABD1: I'm at three years now Jun 17, 2005 4:38:09 PM CDT
ABD1: just about Jun 17, 2005 4:38:15 PM CDT
ABD2: and their at your tail???? Jun 17, 2005 4:38:24 PM CDT
ABD1: well, that's usually the time limit Jun 17, 2005 4:38:38 PM CDT
ABD2: so now that you know the critical path what is your next step? Jun 17, 2005 4:39:24 PM CDT
ABD1: well, if you can show progress, it's not really an issue Jun 17, 2005 4:39:28 PM CDT
ABD2: at this point I can, and I have been teaching which counts in my dept Jun 17, 2005 4:39:53 PM CDT
ABD2: me I need to finish this damn chapter, Jun 17, 2005 4:40:26 PM CDT
ABD1: ABD2 i don't mean to push you .....i think it's important that you and your committee Jun 17, 2005 4:40:48 PM CDT
ABD1: have an understanding sooner rather than later that's all Jun 17, 2005 4:41:13 PM CDT

Handling Committee Member Changes from Afar

  • Definitely ask the chair, and any other members of the faculty in your home department for advice. It's been expensive and time consuming, but that face-to-face time in the home department seems to be worth it...
  • I would ask my chair for suggestions...it's most important that the chair respects and gets along with other members.   Also, introduce yourself to new faculty in your department--these are people who need to get on student committees--so they are more likely to accept.
  • I recently went to my national convention, even though my chair was absent.  During the conference I made sure I did introduce myself to all the new faculty members and sat down for an extended chat over coffee with one whose interests are similar to mine.  Not all of the networking has to be done face-to-face in the home department.  Even introducing yourself in email is a start, especially if your interests do align.  The professor would be impressed that you went the extra mile to contact them, welcome them into the department, and show that hey are not alone in the department with these interests. 
  • I am currently ABD from afar and the chair of my committee is also not at UT anymore. Thus, I find myself dealing with being segmented from my peers and committee while having my chair (co-chair now) in a third location. I do not recommend this type of arrangement, but it can work if YOU make it work.
  • Right after I advanced to candidacy my advisor left for a new job. After a year I had to pick someone else from my committee to be the chair - who then left for a year for family medical reasons.  I think that may have presented some problems on my committee.  I think my new chair was concerned about stepping on the toes of my old chair and I think my old chair was happy not to be chair anymore.  It all came down to communication. 
  • I would urge you (and others) not to seek answers about how to replace your committee members unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure that YOU have taken every opportunity to get them to work with you.
  • I found the "best medicine" for out of touch or frustrated committee members is to put something in their hands again (your work). No matter how big or small, PUT SOMETHING IN THEIR HANDS! Seriously, the norm of reciprocity works. This is not to say that we have a great relationship, but at least they know I'm working and we can keep the lines of communication open.

Balancing Teaching and Writing

ABD4: So ABD2, how do you teach and diss simultaneously? Jul 1, 2005 5:04:41 PM CDT
ABD5: I teach full time too, even during summer Jul 1, 2005 5:05:32 PM CDT
ABD2: Well - the semester I taught X sections from <blank> classes, 1 for the first time - to be honest - I didn't do them simultaneously. Jul 1, 2005 5:05:35 PM CDT
ABD2: X sections about Y students and Z TAs to train took all my time Jul 1, 2005 5:06:02 PM CDT
ABD1: but YOU are a superhero..... Jul 1, 2005 5:06:16 PM CDT
ABD1: : ) Jul 1, 2005 5:06:25 PM CDT
ABD4: So how do you squeeze it in? Jul 1, 2005 5:06:29 PM CDT
ABD2: I could have done some research had I had the course prep done previously Jul 1, 2005 5:06:39 PM CDT
ABD4: I scheduled dissertation days before. Now i think I'll have to schedule dissertation hours. Jul 1, 2005 5:06:53 PM CDT
ABD2: But doing that - teaching the classes - training the TAs - that was too much. Jul 1, 2005 5:07:07 PM CDT
ABD4: It is hard because teacher prep is endless. Jul 1, 2005 5:07:21 PM CDT
ABD2: My teaching load will definitely be something I negotiate hard. Jul 1, 2005 5:07:26 PM CDT
ABD1: YES. Jul 1, 2005 5:07:31 PM CDT
ABD1: charity work in fact Jul 1, 2005 5:07:38 PM CDT
ABD4: I wonder when to stop with the prep because we also have to build our teacher reps to get jobs Jul 1, 2005 5:07:54 PM CDT
ABD1: ok Jul 1, 2005 5:07:55 PM CDT
ABD2: I trust I will be repaid in the recs I will receive.... Jul 1, 2005 5:07:57 PM CDT

Job Searches

ABD3: Have you had time to read journals in your field? Jun 3, 2005 5:02:36 PM CDT
ABD1: yes don't you all find also that when one part of your life like the diss is goind well--creative juices flowing--that other parts get more creatively inspired too Jun 3, 2005 5:02:46 PM CDT
ABD4 : No, not yet, not beyong what pertains to my work directly Jun 3, 2005 5:03:00 PM CDT
ABD4 : I do want to get into the habbit of being more well-read on reserach in my field Jun 3, 2005 5:03:25 PM CDT
ABD1: what about field realted orgs Jun 3, 2005 5:03:31 PM CDT
ABD4 : I love my field-related organizations- love it, those are my people! Jun 3, 2005 5:04:02 PM CDT
ABD1: it always seems to be all or nothing and constantly a roller coaster Jun 3, 2005 5:04:12 PM CDT
ABD3: I find that the more I work on my dissertation the more I loose track of whats going on (tV, music, current research)- anything beyond my diss, teaching and family. It concerns me for those job interviews when I think you really need to know. Jun 3, 2005 5:04:57 PM CDT
ABD4 : job searching is it's own job Jun 3, 2005 5:05:26 PM CDT
ABD3: to know about the latest research. I guess I'll be cramming beforehenad. Jun 3, 2005 5:05:33 PM CDT
ABD2: How many of us are out looking for Tenure Track Jobs right now? Jun 3, 2005 5:05:35 PM CDT
ABD4 : I've got one, and I'm trying to finish the job in time to keep it! Jun 3, 2005 5:05:56 PM CDT
ABD1: one criticism in job related interviews is that the candidate can't see beyond the diss Jun 3, 2005 5:05:59 PM CDT
ABD3: I will look for ANYTHING in the spring and then tenure track in the fall. Jun 3, 2005 5:06:05 PM CDT
ABD4 : yeah, make sure you have a program of research to discuss, so they can see the arc of your research Jun 3, 2005 5:06:25 PM CDT
ABD1: good as prep for defense too Jun 3, 2005 5:06:40 PM CDT
ABD2: I was on the market this last fall/spring - and it looks like I will be again this fall/spring... Jun 3, 2005 5:06:44 PM CDT
ABD3: ABD1, good point. I think in order to be ready for the defense we will need to sort of predict questions by knowing what are profs have been reading, etc.. Jun 3, 2005 5:07:20 PM CDT
ABD4 : good luck, that first search probably taught you a lot of valuable lessons for the next Jun 3, 2005 5:07:26 PM CDT
ABD2: Yeah - have a defense date on your CV.... Jun 3, 2005 5:07:45 PM CDT
ABD4 : ah, now I get your point about being well read on up to date reserach, good point! Jun 3, 2005 5:07:58 PM CDT
ABD2: Bug your references to write... Jun 3, 2005 5:07:59 PM CDT
ABD3: Is anyone thinking about a position other than Assistant Professor or lecturer? Jun 3, 2005 5:08:16 PM CDT
ABD2: I'm planning on broadening my search this next time around... Jun 3, 2005 5:08:47 PM CDT
ABD2: I'll certainly include a bigger mix of schools and types... Jun 3, 2005 5:09:03 PM CDT
ABD2: And probably a number of positions beyond Assistant.... Jun 3, 2005 5:09:21 PM CDT
ABD2: Including some nonacademic ones.... Jun 3, 2005 5:09:30 PM CDT

Getting Job Recs

ABD3: Here's a question, how to balance the getting the most out of your chair with the make a good impression for good job recommendations? Jun 3, 2005 4:24:54 PM CDT
ABD2: Well - I haven't had much a problem getting good recs from my chair...from other committee members and faculty it has been a problem Jun 3, 2005 4:26:25 PM CDT
ABD2: At least one of them sat on a rec request for 2 months. Jun 3, 2005 4:26:45 PM CDT
ABD1: first what's the conflict presisely? Jun 3, 2005 4:26:51 PM CDT
ABD3: I've aired on the side of edit first, organize meetings, figure what you can on your own first, but I guess Jun 3, 2005 4:27:13 PM CDT
ABD3: I guess one doesn't want to do that too much because you also want to save time by getting help and asking questions, even if you can eventually find them on your own, no? Jun 3, 2005 4:27:47 PM CDT

Post Dissertation Publications

ABD5: I will need to COMPLETELY rewrite the thing for publication anyway Jul 1, 2005 4:53:46 PM CDT
IE: when you negotiated your diss didn't the future outlet factor into that? Jul 1, 2005 4:54:19 PM CDT
ABD2: Hmmm - I'm writing for outside publication now - and actually rewriting those back into the diss... Jul 1, 2005 4:55:05 PM CDT
IE: odd that you wriute it and then figure out what to do with it Jul 1, 2005 4:59:37 PM CDT
ABD2: ;-) Jul 1, 2005 4:59:39 PM CDT
ABD5: I wish I knew more about publishing so i would be able to figure out how to use it Jul 1, 2005 5:01:00 PM CDT
ABD1: try to go throught the pub thing with a supervisor before leaviing studnet status, ABD4 Jul 1, 2005 5:01:51 PM CDT
ABD4: There are so many different venues for publication and so many different ways to publish, I'm not worried Jul 1, 2005 5:02:05 PM CDT