While I am on a major roll right now writing this dissertation, I did want to stop to say THANK YOU to every single local government representative I have spoken to. I have been so amazed and thankful for the warm welcome and kindness that I have received from each and every person I’ve spokenRead… Read more »
I never thought the dissertation would take as long as it is. I’m a writer by trade – a former journalist and editor – so for most of my career as a Ph.D. student, I’ve been looking forward to my dissertation. But, unfortunately, writing is not what I’ve done so far. I’ve spent hours, days,Read… Read more »
One thing you don’t realize when you get to this stage of a doctoral program is that as you are writing your dissertation, you also start looking at the job market. I have an amazing teaching position right now, but, unfortunately, it’s a 4/4 load, which actually turns into a 5/5 because I teach anRead… Read more »
I’m teaching 7 classes this semester, so I have about 100 online students and 50 in the classroom. I’m writing a dissertation. I’m continuing other research – big news – PAR R&R. I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter. I am involved in ridiculous amounts of service. And, this is the time of theRead… Read more »
6 years ago, I accepted a position as an instructor in the Department of Communication at Mississippi State University. It is absolutely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. I have been fortunate to have a University who believes in tuition remission and a department head who has been as supportiveRead… Read more »
I’ve been quite slammed as of late. Teaching 7 classes and trying to write a dissertation keeps one a bit busy. In addition, I’ve gone on the job market. It makes me sad to think of leaving such a wonderful place, but it’s exciting to see what comes next. I have two options for myRead… Read more »
I haven’t written for some time because yesterday was my dissertation prospectus defense. Of course, as with every other aspect of my life, I was not at all normal. The one comment that you hear from professors that isn’t weird is that the hoops you have to jump through in your chosen program are weird.Read… Read more »
Just like basketball – or a union for that matter – jumping through the hoops of a Ph.D. requires a team. Yesterday was my birthday, and as I watched my facebook page fill up with comments from friends, family, students, colleagues, and surprisingly enough, high school friends who I found or found me after 20Read… Read more »
I should be writing a dissertation rather than a blog. I should be working on a survey rather than writing about the fact that I have to write a survey. I should be mid-air in my jump rather than on my tippy-toes about to push into the air. I should share my story with otherRead… Read more »