Blog Series: ALDA Advisors Share Wisdom of Experience – Part One
by Lori Schroeder | May 20, 2010
During the next five months (May, June, July, August, and September), the Ask Doctoral Advising blog showcases the wisdom of advisors from ALDA (Advanced Learner Doctoral Advisor) who support learners in the comprehensive exam and dissertation stages of Capella University’s doctoral programs. We’ll hear from individuals who serve these Schools: Public Service Leadership, Education, Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Business and Technology. In September, we’ll hear from ALDA supervisors. Beginning in October and throughout the upcoming year, we’ll feature the advice of Capella University alumni. Stay tuned!
In May, I asked ALDA advisors in the School of Public Service Leadership (PSL) program, “What is your signature piece of advice for anyone in a PhD program? What is your essential message you would like your advisees to know, understand, and do?”
The following is the PSL team’s wisdom of experience:
Dr. Constance Davis:
“My signature advice may change from day to day. Prominent advice, advice I consider essential is: Writing Matters. Writing is Important. Your mentor is not your editor. If your mentor suggests hiring an editor, listen to that. Your dissertation will be published for all the world to see. And people will read it. Think of the dissertations you have read while you started your own dissertation. Others will read yours, too. If the writing in your published dissertation is sloppy, why wouldn’t the reader of your dissertation think your research is sloppy, too? Second, it is important to understand the dissertation process. Most of your questions can be answered in iGuide, the Dissertation Manual, or the Dissertation Milestones Guidebook. Seek answers before you ask questions.”
Dr. Melissa Williams:
“Be realistic about whether a Ph.D. is right for you, but also be realistic about whether you are right for a Ph.D.”
Capella Learners: What is the one piece of advice you’ve received that has been of the greatest help to you in your doctoral journey?
3 Responses to "Blog Series: ALDA Advisors Share Wisdom of Experience – Part One"
Ryan James Reid says:
“Buddhism teaches us that happiness does not come from any kind of acquisitiveness, be it material or psychological. Happiness comes from letting go. In Buddhism, the impenetrable, separate, and individuated self is more of the problem than the solution.” – Mark Epstein
“Happiness is the main object of our aspirations, whatever name we give to it: Fulfillment, Deep Satisfaction, Serenity, Accomplishment, Wisdom, Fortune or Inner Peace, and however we try to see it: creativity, justice, altruism, striving, completion of a plan or piece of work” – Matthieu Ricard
“Somehow, in the process of denying that things are always changing, we lose our sense of the sacredness of life. We tend to forget that we are part of the natural scheme of things.” – Pema Chodron
“A further sign of health is that we don’t become undone by fear and trembling, but we take it as a message that it’s time to stop struggling and look directly at what’s threatening us.” – Pema Chodron
Johnna Williams, PsyD says:
To the ALDA Team:
The signature advice that you offer is valuable, and, speaking as a doctoral graduate of Capella (and a former advisor), it is right on point. If I had realized how rigorous and challenging the doctoral journey TRULY was up front, I admit I may not have started. However I can say that because of the significant difficulty of the process, I feel confident in my writing and my clinical skills as I enter the next steps in my journey. The sense of accomplishment, of humility, and of enduring, is priceless.
Lori Schroeder says:
Congratulations on your achievement!
Best wishes, Johnna!