Introducing Doctor

A couple of weeks ago, it happened. 

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Prepping for the Final Defense

It all felt so surreal the other day.  I was driving to campus to obtain signatures from my committee members so I could post my dissertation announcement around the department.  My final dissertation defense is scheduled for next week!  Wait a second…let me say that one more time slowly:  I…will…defend…my…dissertation…next…week!

The last three and a half years will come down to one last presentation.

Dealing with a Double Mind: ABD and Soon-To-Be Assistant Professor

You completed all of your coursework. You passed comprehensive exams and now you’re ABD. You recently attained IRB approval to begin collecting and analyzing data. You were a doctoral student, and now you are a doctoral candidate.

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling…yes, that has a nice ring to it!

In short, I got the job!!  It’s hard to believe it really happened even when I think about it a month or two later.  Probably because my post doesn’t start until January.

A Campus Invitation: Reflections on My Visit

I mentioned in a previous post that I applied to a tenure-track Assistant Professor position several weeks ago.  Unfortunately, I received notice that they chose another candidate, and as ABD I didn’t expect to have much of a fighting chance even though they said they would consider ABD candidates.  Shortly after this, a series of unexpected events took place.

Dissertation Interruptus: Seven Cautionary Tales

A guest post by Noelle Sterne.

From my longtime academic coaching and editing practice guiding doctoral candidates through the peaks and gullies of completing their dissertations, I have noticed that women in doctoral programs can easily become diverted by compassion for others in trouble. Well-meaning decisions and actions may result in calamitous consequences to a dissertation.

Preparing for the Academic Job Market: Part II

Now that you have completed, or almost completed, your PhD with a career in mind, you are ready to apply for that position—Assistant Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision.  In other words, you published peer-reviewed articles, presented at national conferences, taught courses as the instructor of record, and conducted a second research project in addition to the dissertation.  You strategically positioned yourself to be competitive for that first job.  More about those prerequisites to be competitive are found in Part I of preparing for the academic job market. 

Preparing for the Academic Job Market: Part I

 

Last night I applied to my first tenure-track, Assistant Professor position.  One that accepted ABD applicants, but more on that to come in Part II.  A bit surreal, to say the least, that I’ve come this far.  This PhD journey is not over, but the end is much closer than it’s ever been.  The light at the end of the tunnel is not an incoming train; it’s the Doctor of Philosophy.  That’s worth at least a few nights out to celebrate with my wife and cohort, but I digress.

Book Contract Issued! A Glance at My Process

My first book contract was issued from an academic press!  I cannot believe that just happened.  Well, it didn’t exactly “just happen.”  It’s been brewing for months.  Here’s my process of how it all came together for me.

The Big D and the Problem of Time

I studied for the better part of two months over the winter for comps. Actually, no, I prepared for two and a half years in my doctoral program by completing coursework. I literally consumed hundreds of journal articles and seminal works both in my courses and during my intensive prep for comps. I conducted research and taught courses. I vigorously prepared for one week of writing and answered four questions. After writing 76 total pages and answering my comprehensive exams over seven days, I completed exams in order to become a doctoral candidate. Courses are now complete. Research assistantship is over. Teaching assistantship is mostly done. With all of this emerging free time, what do I do with it?