Over the snow days at the beginning of this semester, Jessica (Jess) Geier
finished her dissertation in Educational Administration. She is now interviewing
for jobs and preparing for her defense. Jess has been involved in many
campus organizations, including serving as co-chair of the Graduate Student
Assembly for 2005-2006.
What advice do you have for grad students who are on the last leg
of trying to finish the dissertation?
Remember you are not alone. Graduate school, in particular the "dissertating" phase
can feel as though you are on an island, isolated from the rest of the community.
On said island, you may begin to feel like an imposter, that your research
lacks rigor or appeal, that you are not smart enough etc. Remember that others
feel the same way you do. Remember to be kind to yourself. Find someone or
multiple someones that you can talk about your work with, have fun with,
relax with...go to the gym, read a novel, take a break, and then return to
the writing.
How has keeping busy helped you be productive in grad school? What are
some of the things you've done that have kept you busy?
For me, keeping busy was/is essential to my own productivity. Without tasks to fill my calendar, I convince myself that I can "do it later" ... And when later comes along, I tell myself that tomorrow it will get done. Instead, I filled my schedule with events beginning in the late morning, early afternoon. This freed me to work during my "witching hour"—I am most productive during the hours of 10pm and 3 or 4am, if I can sleep late in the morning. During the early hours of dawn the world sleeps and, without the distractions, I am free to write. My day is full of meetings with colleagues and faculty now as well as my work with the Division for Diversity and Community Engagement. Prior to this year, I spent much of my time working on graduate student leadership and campus committees. I always have, as they say, several sticks in the fire. Better to be busy, learning and doing.
Thoughts on putting together a dissertation committee?
Find a champion. You will want, nay, you will need, a person who can smile, wink, nod, and otherwise encourage your stumble through the darkness of writing your dissertation. This person should be the type of friend who can be honest, i.e. yes, this still needs work, but who knows when you need some words of encouragement. Ultimately, this is the person that, in my case, I learned the most from—it was conversations with this person that taught me courage, strength, and that people would want to hear what I had to say.
How did you decide to go back to graduate school?
I wanted to work in education and, without a PhD, I had little opportunity to do so. That said, it was ultimately my father who reminded me that the more education I received, the better my chances at being happy with my career. In my house, education was of paramount importance, particularly because my sister and I are first generation college attendees...graduate school was discussed in my house as the next, obvious, step in our career paths, not as a possibility.
What kept you going in graduate school?
Coffee. Friends. Six hour dinners on the roof of Whole Foods. Compassionate mentors. Passion. The students who participated in my research. A belief that this work is important.
What does your degree mean to you now that you have finished the dissertation?
SIGH. I'm not sure yet. It means opportunity. It means that I have the opportunity to go forth and use my knowledge, hopefully, to affect effective change.
How has UT been a fit for the specific things you were looking for in a graduate environment?
I made UT work for me. In education there is a movement to make small learning communities or academies of large institutions. I think I used that philosophy to make such a large graduate program feel like a small social network of colleagues. From graduate student leadership, volunteering for various activities, or the simple scramble for jobs (any jobs!) to pay the bills, I've been fortunate to meet students and administrators across campus.
What were some of the biggest graduate school myths that were dispelled for you throughout your time at UT?
But there are so many...! The answer to this question is somewhat addressed by question #1 but I will expand. The biggest myth, beyond the Imposter Syndrome (i.e. that you are not good enough, smart enough, ready enough etc to be a PhD) is that the dissertation must be the MOST amazing piece of writing/research you will ever complete. The "opus myth" let's call it - the belief that the dissertation is the seminal work of your lifetime. I am still living in this land. But to quote a few of my committee members, indirectly, the dissertation is a final hoop you jump through to prove you "can do it" and then the real works begins post-graduate school. I hope they are right.
Q & A by Elisabeth McKetta, March, 2007
