Overview of Pursue
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Supervisor Blues
Do you have a support group where you can share your work for comments.
Sometimes you can turn a dead end into a glorious moment, by proving you can do it.
Find people in your field, share, discuss your work, edit and re-edit until very convincing,
Incase you don't hear from your supervisor but have done a good job you will present good work and get more comments at the conference,
Best wishes!
I'm at the end of year 1 of a research MA in a Media Studies area. Progress to date led to a significant crossover into social psychology.
My chosen supervisor was excellent, but there was a lack of suitably qualified candidates for second. I approached someone I didn't know on recommendation from other students. My principal changed jobs early on so the roles swapped. In the first half of this year some serious stuff happened on the personal front for my former principal, now external second, who was consequently unavailable a few months.
Meetings with the new principal were few and far between, he was a no-show for two he himself arranged. He approved without question a flawed application related to the "mechanics" of research and only luck saved me from submitting a disaster. Along with other alarming observations, this shattered my confidence in his competence.
I have a major conference presentation next week. It's based on research completed since our last meeting, therefore beyond the abstract, not revised by anyone but me. Emails letting him know of this and two other acceptances, another asking for a look at my presentation before I give it got no response. Thank god my second emerged from the crises, responded and revised (no communication between them, so not arranged, just my second being competent).
Is it normal for supervisors to be wholly unreachable from early June to early September? I've been told I'm intimidating when I'm annoyed (mature student so same age as lecturers), which I was at our last meeting - it followed one he didn't show up for, and I'd reached a point of seeing him as incompetent. I genuinely tried hiding my feelings, but he might have picked up on my disgust and just not be inclined to respond to me.
What do I do? I could argue spillover into sociology and social psychology necessitates a supervisor with knowledge of that field, rather than media. Staff at my small institution are like family, though, requesting a change could cause me problems.
Conference abstract - different results/changes
Yeah 💃💃💃💃💃💃💃👏👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌💪💪👐👐👐🎺😎
All was fine - you were all right! I'm still learning these things! Nerves now 100% settled. :-)
PhD dropout resume?
Indeed, employers are looking for passionate and positive staff!
Hi everyone thanks for reading this. As PhD quitter, I am looking for a real job but at the same time I need a part-time to pay bills. Do I have to write that I am a PhD dropout when applying for part-time position? I am planning to work as cashier at locate store or in a cafe or some kind and I am afraid people will not understand what I did as a phD student and that they might not hire me for this reason. But I don't want to lie either... what is your experience?
Just write that you are a graduate researcher for the time you were doing your PhD. And no, I do not think that they will discriminate you on being a PhD dropout. However. they will be reluctant to hire you if you display negative emotions or attitude at the interview. I have friends who dropped out from their PhD, worked for a while at odd jobs (cleaners, tutors, waitress, etc), before getting their full time position. The important thing is to display a positive attitude and not be bitter about quitting your PhD.
Conference abstract - different results/changes
All the best Tudor!
But you can just inform the conference organisers that I have updated results, incase you can replace the abstract...they usually do that, it's just they make it seem impossible so that all participants are not always emailing with changes :-)
Publishable Theoretical Paper/Literature Survey Paper
Thanks a lot Nad75 for the useful article,
It's helpful to read 'how to' pieces by universities first. This is a helpful one that I used for an article which got published:
Publishable Theoretical Paper/Literature Survey Paper
Thanks a lot for the advice Bloop,
Nobody can help you with pointers for your literature study, if you do not give us a clear idea about what your topic is. Further, regardless of whether we do provide suitable suggestions for the review, the quality and originality, methodology, results and contributions will ultimately determine how publishable it is.
You can perhaps search for existing literature on your topic on Google Scholar and make strong arguments, based on existing studies and then perhaps, frame your theoretical model and discuss your findings.
Dropping out of PhD - what's next?
I have benefited also. Maybe also add more to the procrastination part. How to overcome it!
It's great you are getting help. Thanks for the feedback, I'll try to add more.
Often in my view the 2nd year can be the hardest. It's difficult to generalise but often the first year is all new and a bit more structured so it can go by fairly quickly (also you have an end of year exam to concentrate on). By the time you are in the later stages 3rd/4th year you have a block of work behind you and can feel the pressure of deadlines coming up so it is still anxious but drives focus. It's hard to generalise but the 2nd year can feel like drifting which is a different kind of anxiety and often more uncomfortable for some.
When you say you can tell from their facial expression... it is perhaps better to get clarity and I would suggest be quite direct about your concerns - it's your life so don't rely on mindreading. It's their job to help you and it's in their interests too. You can do this in a way that manages your image still - ie you don't want to give the impression you really want to stop.
If you were doing well initially you definitely have the ability and the question seems partly about motivation. One positive thing you should be able to do with a PhD is steer and shape it in the direction of things that give you interest. For instance, if you are really keen to talk to some people you could look at bringing in that kind of data source. If you like reading and secondary data sources you can steer things that way.
Another positive on procrastination this might sound a bit crazy but the best general suggestion I can offer is really work hard on your morning routine. If you get the first hour right it helps so much. And also start this the night before writing a 2-3 minute plan for the day. Again I can try and say more just let me know :)
Is it okay to expect advisor(s) to offer a word of condolence?
Very sorry about your loss.
When I lost my Dad during Masters study, my Supervisor sent an email to check if I was back from home, and asked how I was?
By the time we met, he began from the email, which was easier for both of us. He didn't say much about the loss, gauging I could cry, but the general response I got was warmth, kindness, understanding.
Even if someone decides to keep quiet about your loss, but at least their actions, should be an assurance that they care what you are going through. A simple reply to your emails could have been a good gesture.
At PhD level, a Supervisor - Student relationship is more than just a dissertation. They are your first support structure. Yes you are right to expect at least some sympathy.
But because they proved to be from another planet than yours.....keep going, find other people that understand what you are going through, talk about your pain if need be, like you have done here, so it doesn't bottle up. Don't keep to yourself. It is well!
Publishable Theoretical Paper/Literature Survey Paper
I would like forumites to please help me with strategies for writing my literature study in such a way that it becomes a publishable piece.
My field is Social Science.
In the end I want to build a theoretical framework/model that can help the analysis of my study results (gaps and the contribution of my study)
Supervisor Dilemma and Competency Issues
TreeofLife and all, just to update you...managed to present my proposal today afternoon my time and apparently A, was very bad, spiting me and even lied about something that he said it exists when it doesn't exist. A senses am now more inclined to B in direction and thus still want control of the work. During the presentation, B stood for me through it all. B has gone the extra mile making personal arrangements with regards to next steps.
I am not sure if I should continue with A as the main or I formally ask for reshuffle....thinking about the future😥
Struggling to manage illness and PhD supervisor
All the best, pray for the best outcome!
Supervisor Dilemma and Competency Issues
TreeofLife, you are indeed treeoflife, I feel I had a lot of anger wanting to go and fight with A but after your WISE counsel/advice, I feel, I will keep acknowledging B's contribution in presentations/discussions as more inclined to the direction of the study and should any publications come up, B will be the obvious second co-author, should A remain adamant and want to feel good on formal paper. I will keep you posted!
Thank you again
It doesn't really matter who leads on paper in my opinion. I had a primary supervisor (prof), but secondary (senior lecturer) was way more involved in terms of overall direction and day to day stuff. This is very common in academia.
Let A be your lead on paper, and then do what B suggests. Unless A really cares about your research direction, this won't bother them. They will be getting the credit and not having to do the work.
In ideal situation, A will let B lead, so you could ask that, but don't be surprised if they say no.
Supervisor Dilemma and Competency Issues
I think you'll be fine, just get both of their input and bend your PhD to the direction you want to go as much as possible.
Thank you very much Tree of Life for the advice.
So you are suggesting I just indicate on paper that B is the technical lead, because the research is tilting heavily on their side.
Or I communicate with A the research direction and suggest/recommend to them that B lead?
Or keep quiet until later.
But either way, B is the one who will be doing most of the work....? It's a dilemma to me too?
What do you think?
Supervisors and Competency Issues
Hi all,
I need advice guys. I was allocated an external Supervisor (A) who is not an academic- by this I mean not teaching or supervising students anywhere. No strong publication record, less than 3 papers, and these were done over 7 years ago. Supervisor seems to have connections in the department. On our initial meeting I raised issues to do with my research that I wanted to achieve. Seeing I might struggle under such supervision, I raised this with department and was allocated a now very competent person (B) as part of the team.
Now having submitted my RP to both, A's approach is akward, having had 2-3 meetings already, focus tends to be on outline, references etc. But this is just a concept note which needs guidance on strategic direction?
From B's feedback, I feel my concept note has been fully read. Commented on key methodological issues, and offered more insights into other options etc. B is an accomplished Professor, widely published, understands methodology/how study should evolve etc.
Now A came first and am sure based on contract, wants assumes lead, which I think, wrong person on good research.
I have discussed with B the possibility of taking the lead, no obvious reservations of taking the lead. So I need advice, should I discuss this with A and share my concerns and let B lead.
If I remain quiet now it might ruin my work at critical phases of the work.
Please advice me beloved and best approach!
Supervisor Dilemma and Competency Issues
Hi all,
I need advice guys. I was allocated an external Supervisor (A) who is not an academic- by this I mean not teaching or supervising students anywhere. No strong publication record, less than 3 papers, and these were done over 7 years ago. Supervisor seems to have connections in the department. On our initial meeting I raised issues to do with my research that I wanted to achieve. Seeing I might struggle under such supervision, I raised this with department and was allocated a now very competent person (B) as part of the team.
Now having submitted my RP to both, A's approach is akward, having had 2-3 meetings already, focus tends to be on outline, references etc. But this is just a concept note which needs guidance on strategic direction?
From B's feedback, I feel my concept note has been fully read. Commented on key methodological issues, and offered more insights into other options etc. B is an accomplished Professor, widely published, understands methodology/how study should evolve etc.
Now A came first and am sure based on contract, wants assumes lead, which I think, wrong person on good research.
I have discussed with B the possibility of taking the lead, no obvious reservations of taking the lead. So I need advice, should I discuss this with A and share my concerns and let B lead.
If I remain quiet now it might ruin my work at critical phases of the work.
Please advice me beloved and best approach!
