Blog Series: ALDA Advisors Share Wisdom of Experience – Part Four
by Lori Schroeder | August 26, 2010
During these 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 August, I asked ALDA advisors in the Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (HASoSBS), “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 HASoSBS team’s wisdom of experience:
Ellen Carey:
“It’s important to keep a balanced perspective. Always keep your eyes on the goal – becoming a PhD or PsyD. Understand not only where you are headed, but what’s involved in each step along the path. Don’t forget the details, but don’t get bogged down in them either. Work independently and think for yourself, but don’t work in isolation. Listen to your mentor and make good use of the resources available to you. Expect success, but be prepared for unexpected bumps along the way. Develop a realistic plan for completion and do your best to stick to it. Celebrate the successes along the way and recognize the disappointments are part of the learning process. Be kind to yourself, but hold yourself accountable. You are responsible for your ultimate success, but remember your Capella team truly wants you to succeed and is here to support you.”
Dr. Vera Keracovic:
“The transition from coursework to the dissertation stage represents a shift, and possibly a quantum leap in the way of thinking and being. Beyond the academic skills and competencies, there are additional critical factors that facilitate successful completion of the dissertation project and ultimately the doctoral program. Importantly, intellectually agreeing and actually applying them in practice may be worlds apart!
- Be in charge and resourceful:
- Know and understand the process (Milestone Guidebook, Comprehensive Manual, Chapter Guides, Dissertation Manual, Research Center website)
- Create and cultivate a working relationship with your mentor about frequency of contact, turnaround time, and accountability for both of you
- Get ORGANIZED
- Manage your time – time is money
- Work on creating a supportive environment:
- Have a conversation with significant people in your life, both family and at work about what will change in terms of your availability and what type of accommodation you will need
- Advocate for yourself
- Prioritize your commitments – what do you need to let go for now?
- Embody and role-model doctoral aspirations – if you have children, what do you want them to understand about what you are working to achieve?
- Know that failing is a gift of learning. What is your response to failure?
- Self-care – prolonged exhaustion, physical and/or mental is not conducive to higher order thinking
- CELEBRATE your successes!
Dr. Mark Larson:
“Humility”
Johnna Williams:
“Develop the relationship with your mentor! Like any other relationship, it will take time and effort. There will be missteps and miscommunications. You will think you understand what they said, when in fact, you haven’t and vice-versa. There will be frustrations, and there will be great days. It is work, just like any relationship (friend, spouse, significant other, employer, etc.). You cannot assume that you know everything about a person by what you think they have (or have not) said, so do the work. It will pay off!”
What is the one piece of advice you’ve received that has been of the greatest help to you in your doctoral journey?