Update on The PhD Grind:
— TWO committee members (official ones!) added today. I now have FOUR committee members with various links to the department/school and one Really Good Reader. Both “new” members gave Very Good Substantive comments that came out of their close reading of my prospectus (that alone is worthy of my eternal thanks). Both were very supportive, encouraging, enthusiastic, and complimentary. Both felt that I could defend soon… but I think I want to make changes as per their comments first. I need to find the energy to make these adjustments and push for a defense date… I wish I could just do it now and get it done!
— Even more surprising and delightful: one committee member and I are exploring the mentorship thing. She handed over some Very Raw Data for me to play around with in an attempt to carve out the seeds for a working paper. It’s related to HIV. It’s theoretically rich. And there is no pressure. Perfect.
E-gads! It is starting to sound like I am actually a doctoral student!
In short, exactly what I’ve been hoping for is starting to materialize. I feel a little off-balance as I’m not used to actually getting what I ask for… do a feel a rug loosening under my feet, or can I trust my legs to hold this time around?
Chris | 04-Dec-07 at 8:54 am | Permalink
First and goal on the nine-yard line. Punch that sucker into the end zone.