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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by gardenergirl on February 24, 2004, at 6:48:52
In reply to Re: I posted dissertation goal on Writing. Nag me plz » gardenergirl, posted by shar on February 23, 2004, at 20:59:04
Shar,
There's nothing really that is a sticking point at the moment. Just getting started at all, which I think I overcame recently.I agree, just getting it done and out the door is the key. I'll use that as my mantra when I am obsessing over trying to make it great. Good is good enough.
What was your topic? I bet getting it done was an excellent feeling!
Thanks for the support. I'll definitely post a specific problem if I get stuck.
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on February 24, 2004, at 6:50:07
In reply to Re: I posted dissertation goal on Writing. Nag me plz, posted by gardenergirl on February 24, 2004, at 6:48:52
Posted by gardenergirl on February 24, 2004, at 6:52:33
In reply to Nag, as requested, posted by pegasus on February 23, 2004, at 23:26:30
Thanks for the nag. I"m sorry it felt uncomfortable. But there certainly is an element of truth to it. I've been trying to cut down my time here, but it's so hard, as y'all are so great!
Tell me again (I think you posted this somewhere before???) about your dissertation? Good advice about the committee. I'll have to try not to take things personally when they suggest changes. Hope I'm not PMSing during the defense.
:)
Thanks for the support and great advice. Just got a massage last night. (oh yeah!)
gg
Posted by pegasus on February 24, 2004, at 10:49:11
In reply to Re: Nag, as requested » pegasus, posted by gardenergirl on February 24, 2004, at 6:52:33
Oh, you know, my dissertation was in the "wrong" field. It has a cool, sexy title, but I'm going to leave that out of babble, 'cause I don't want anyone to identify me. (Although if my ex-T ever checked here, he'd have no problem picking me out.)
I'm now in an M.A. program for counseling psychology, so I'm looking at a career change soon. I like what I'm doing for work now, but it's not my passion. It took me forever to decide that it was ok to change careers even though I have a PhD in my current field. It's kind of a big investment, you know? And I had trouble thinking about doing something where I wasn't a PhD (some ego stuff there). But can you imagine getting two! Oh I'll be satisfied as an LPC with my MA for a while, I think.
- p
Posted by shar on February 24, 2004, at 11:23:26
In reply to Re: Nag, as requested » gardenergirl, posted by pegasus on February 24, 2004, at 10:49:11
gg--My dissertation used a technique called meta-analysis to analyze the body of literature that involved gender differences and self-disclosure. It was a statistical approach to determine if the mixed findings (in some studies women disclosed more than men and vice versa, and in some studies disclosure was essentially equal) were spurious, or if, in fact, there was some enduring and statistically significant evidence of a difference in one direction. I loved the stat part of it as much as the topic area.
Pegasus, after I got the ph.d. someone said "Oh, another poor hungry dog." I thought that was pretty cute. When I was putting my then-husband thru Harvard (a LONG time ago), some people gave wives a ph.t. (putting hubby through). I didn't think that was quite as funny, because in my own experience most women didn't have the luxury of having a spouse putting them through.
Oh, Peg, I was also thinking recently about getting the LPC. But, too broke for that now. I'm glad you're going for it.
Anyhow, it was the only graduation ceremony I ever went to, and I LOVED it. That's not a bad thing to keep in mind either, gg. Sometime I'll tell the story about how each carload of people that went to the ceremony thought I was riding with the other, and I was left there with no ride...lol.
Oh, yeah, gg, when you're all done, you can make reservations at restaurants for Dr. GG, that's about the only time I get to use the Dr. part these days.
Shar
Posted by gardenergirl on February 24, 2004, at 13:57:08
In reply to GG and Peg, posted by shar on February 24, 2004, at 11:23:26
Shar, Your dissertation sounds like it was quite challenging, but it also sounds like you enjoyed it (at least as much as one can.)
Peg, I thought twice about posting my topic. I guess I am living in blind faith that no one from my podunk school also babbles. But oh well. I also don't worry about peepers. If someone goes to all that trouble, I suppose that they deserve what they get to peep. I guess I feel the same way here. But I totally get your discomfort and that's okay with me.
> Oh, Peg, I was also thinking recently about getting the LPC. But, too broke for that now. I'm glad you're going for it.
Peg, I'm glad, too that you are going for this. You will be great! Your PhD will help you in that you have great critical thinking skills.
And Shar, boy do I understand broke. My school is not really heavy on financial aid as it's private.
>
> Anyhow, it was the only graduation ceremony I ever went to, and I LOVED it. That's not a bad thing to keep in mind either, gg. Sometime I'll tell the story about how each carload of people that went to the ceremony thought I was riding with the other, and I was left there with no ride...lol.
Holy cow! Your big day and you get left. That's too funny.> Oh, yeah, gg, when you're all done, you can make reservations at restaurants for Dr. GG, that's about the only time I get to use the Dr. part these days.
That will be so weird!
Take care,
gg
Posted by pegasus on February 24, 2004, at 14:35:15
In reply to GG and Peg, posted by shar on February 24, 2004, at 11:23:26
The other place you *have* to be Dr. GG is when making airline reservations. Sometimes they'll call you at home when the plane is delayed if you're a Dr. No lie!
I put Dr. on my credit card (the word, not the whole education), and I'm not sure, but I think sometimes I get better treatment. Why, I'm not sure. I sure as heck don't have more money than your average Joe.
And Shar, I hear you on the lack of funds and not being amused by the Pht! No one has ever put me through anything, and I'm paying for school now by working full time. It's a lot to juggle, but I'm proud of myself. I can honestly say that everything I have, however limited, I earned with my own hard work.
Actually, my husband and I went through grad school together. We defended within a week of each other. Which I definitely don't recommend. Neither one of us cooked a meal for at least a month before that, so we graduated with a hefty credit card debt (ok, so I did put part of it on there) and an incredbly dissheveled home. And we totally freaked each other out by passing our worry back and forth.
Graduation was excellent, I agree! Shar, that is so funny about being left behind for your own graduation. At my school the PhD graduates wear these incredible yellow robes, with stripes. We looked like bumble bees. My husband and I sat together, and processed together and everything. It was cool!
OK, you're right, what's to worry about. My dissertation was on the use of satellite images to measure methane emission from arctic tundra. So now whoever knows me in real life here definitely knows me on babble. I'm not ashamed! Unfortunately, all of this knowledge doesn't transfer to psychology very well, but that's ok. I know one heck of a lot about satellite images, which not very many people can say!
- p
Posted by shar on February 24, 2004, at 19:51:08
In reply to Shar and GG, posted by pegasus on February 24, 2004, at 14:35:15
Well, you're safe with me, peg! I can't even wrap my mind around your topic!
Shar
:)>
My dissertation was on the use of satellite images to measure methane emission from arctic tundra.
Posted by alexandra_k on February 25, 2004, at 2:05:39
In reply to Re: Shar and GG, posted by shar on February 24, 2004, at 19:51:08
My deadline is mid-feb next year... No defence (thank god), but still need to come up with an outline. Good luck gg. Might need a bit of a kick in the rear myself...
Posted by noa on February 25, 2004, at 16:29:55
In reply to the joys of dissertations..., posted by alexandra_k on February 25, 2004, at 2:05:39
I always had a sense that Babblers were an educated bunch, and this thread seems to confirm that. All these PhDs!
Egads--if I had to think about a disertation right now----Yikes! But you know what? If I had a dissertation hanging over my head, even though it might not get done, you KNOW my house would be super spotlessly clean and organized!!! My best cleaning happened when I had papers and finals going on!
Posted by noa on February 25, 2004, at 16:31:53
In reply to Re: Shar and GG, posted by shar on February 24, 2004, at 19:51:08
Shar---I was thinking the same about yours!! All that metacognition! Too much for my little brain.
Posted by Emme on February 26, 2004, at 8:36:29
In reply to I posted dissertation goal on Writing. Nag me plz, posted by gardenergirl on February 23, 2004, at 19:57:07
Okay, here's a nag - or maybe a motivational mantra. The best dissertation is a dissertation with a signed title page. :)
And set those margins wide so you have lots of pages. That always spurred me on.
Steady on. You can do it! Before you know it, you'll have a first draft!
Now get back to work! :)
Emme
> Hey folks. Just fyi. I posted my dissertation deadline goal on Writing. It's May 15. Please nag me and keep me motivated!
>
> gg
Posted by Emme on February 26, 2004, at 8:45:13
In reply to Re: Nag, as requested » gardenergirl, posted by pegasus on February 24, 2004, at 10:49:11
> I'm now in an M.A. program for counseling psychology, so I'm looking at a career change soon. I like what I'm doing for work now, but it's not my passion. It took me forever to decide that it was ok to change careers even though I have a PhD in my current field.Hey, you sound like me. My PhD is in science and I like it very much. But part of me would love to go back to school and become a therapist.
> It's kind of a big investment, you know? And I had trouble thinking about doing something where I wasn't a PhD (some ego stuff there).
Yeah, it took so darned long to get the degree. I think my ego won't give it up very easily. But I guess I've always needed a lot of external validation. Not good.
> But can you imagine getting two! Oh I'll be satisfied as an LPC with my MA for a while, I think.
I think it's *great* that you're going for a career change you'll feel good about! Sounds like you are doing it part time while you work at a job in your field?
Emme
Posted by pegasus on February 26, 2004, at 11:46:52
In reply to Re: Nag, as requested » pegasus, posted by Emme on February 26, 2004, at 8:45:13
Hi Emme! That's so sweet and supportive. Thanks much.
I tend to be a bit embarrassed about my PhD, because it's so far off from what I love. I think a lot of it was about getting that external validation that you mentioned. You know, doing hard science to prove I'm smart, and all that. Turns out that I didn't get any validation from teh people I wanted it from anyway.
You're right that I'm working in my field, to support being in school again. I'm actually considering keeping a foot in this career once I get my LPC. It is fun and satisfies a lot of things (such as earning some money). But, oh, what I love is talking to people, and thinking about how minds work!
I went through a big episode in therapy about changing careers. My T, of course, was all for it. But I thought I'd used up my one chance to choose a career, and that it was too late to try again. Plenty of fuel for self hate there. But it's so incorrect! Life is full of chances, it turns out.
So, what's your dissertation topic?
- p
Posted by Emme on February 27, 2004, at 8:23:36
In reply to Re: Nag, as requested » Emme, posted by pegasus on February 26, 2004, at 11:46:52
Hi Peg.
> I tend to be a bit embarrassed about my PhD, because it's so far off from what I love.
Don't be embarrassed by it. Think of it as showing that you're versatile. All folks have multiple interests, right? And...being trained to be analytical could be helpful in your new career. You know, analytical enough to help people take apart their problems and empathetic enough to be supportive and all that.
> I think a lot of it was about getting that external validation that you mentioned. You know, doing hard science to prove I'm smart, and all that.
Yeah. I think there may be a side of me that had something to prove. But that side wouldn't have won out if I didn't honestly feel interested in the science. Now I'm applying for academic jobs and a big part of that is wanting to mentor students. If I try for a research job somewhere, it'll be because I want to do research that will be of value to the environment. So I'd like what I studied to be a vehicle for things I feel strongly about. Whether that actually happens given the job market and my need to move on and find a job, well I'll find out.
> Turns out that I didn't get any validation from teh people I wanted it from anyway.
That's too bad. I hope you felt some internal validation. Unfortunately, along with the really cool parts of my program, I also felt really incompetent a lot of the time. That wasn't good. But I guess that's my internal baggage. I think I'll have to fight feeling incompetent no matter what I do.
> I went through a big episode in therapy about changing careers. My T, of course, was all for it. But I thought I'd used up my one chance to choose a career, and that it was too late to try again. Plenty of fuel for self hate there.Boy that rings a bell. Big time. That's good that you pushed through that. How long were you thinking about it before you made the plunge? An MSW program isn't really a good option right now for practical reasons. But I'm going to definitely keep it in mind if I want to give it a go at some time in the future.
> But it's so incorrect! Life is full of chances, it turns out.
Thanks for the reminder! I have to keep telling myself that.
> So, what's your dissertation topic?In a quick sentence, the chemistry of iron in groundwater and aquifer sediments. Were you in an environmental science program? I think I saw your topic mentioned in one of the posts above and it looked like the sort of think someone might have done in my department.
What kind of work are you doing now?
Okay, now if anyone on this board knows me, they're one step closer to figuring it out. :)
Emme
Posted by Racer on February 28, 2004, at 16:20:27
In reply to I posted dissertation goal on Writing. Nag me plz, posted by gardenergirl on February 23, 2004, at 19:57:07
I just posted a challenge to you over on the writing board. This is just a heads up for you, in case you miss it there.
How's it going so far?
Posted by Racer on February 28, 2004, at 20:41:25
In reply to Shar and GG, posted by pegasus on February 24, 2004, at 14:35:15
Actually, I think that subject is fascinating in how well it might augment psychology. Seriously, that's one of the things that I muse about, how other sciences can act as models for more successful mental health treatments. Things like, how environmental sciences can be extrapolated into medical care, with the emphasis placed more strongly as the environment/patient as a whole, the biosphere/bodysphere sort of thing. And, of course, you'll have a whole board of us here to try things out on...
Beyond my own fascination with science type subjects, it also seems as if your subject would allow you to see some quantifiable aspects of psychology that might be less apparent to another practitioner. Maybe I'm totally out of my depth with that, but I still wish you well with your career change!
(And I went from accounting to manual work, so I can definitely relate to the difficulties of commiting oneself to a career change! Good for you for recognizing the signs that it was right, and acting on them. Maybe you'll inspire the rest of us.)
Posted by pegasus on February 29, 2004, at 17:40:08
In reply to WOW! » pegasus, posted by Racer on February 28, 2004, at 20:41:25
Well, shucks. Now you've made me all embarrassed. Really, it's nothing.
No, really, thanks so much for the validation. It means a lot. I still run into old advisors and colleagues who think I'm insane, or an obvious failure for wanting to change careers. And it's nice to hear that you think the skills might transfer. I never really thought of that before. I guess you do learn a certain way of thinking, when you're doing environmental science.
And I have noticed that I can sit down and whip out papers like I never used to when I was in school before. Maybe my mind is just more organized than it used to be after all this training. Yeah, I think I'll believe that. It was all worth something after all!
My old T used to say that maybe it just takes all of this work and school and striving for validation to get to where I could seriously consider this new career. I.e., maybe it wasn't just a mistake way back when picking a college major. Maybe I wasn't ready to do it then, for whatever reasons. And now I'm ready. And I could say that I've always made the best decision for me at every point. So even if the path looks crooked, it's the straightest one I could have done, considering my particular situation. I like that idea, too. I hope maybe you guys will find it helpful, too.
- p
Posted by pegasus on February 29, 2004, at 17:51:11
In reply to Re: Nag, as requested » pegasus, posted by Emme on February 27, 2004, at 8:23:36
Hi Emme,
Yeah, I spent a lot of time feeling incompetent, too. I think academia is sort of set up for that to a certain extent, though, so I'm sure neither one of us are truly incompetent. And yet, some of us are more sensitive to being put in situations that bring that up.
That's very cool that you are really interested in your field also. I think it sounds great that you want to mentor students, and/or contribute to the environment. My husband has done that, and there are things about it that are great. He also picked a good field for him, and I love to see how jazzed up he can get about it. I think maybe it was the contrast in our attitudes that really made me start thinking I wasn't in the right place. But I'd never badmouth science in general, or academia and a whole (although don't get me started on the patriarchal structure of the whole thing).
Your topic does sound like something that could have been done in my department. So I'm not going to scratch any further into that! I don't want to find out you're one of my best friends or anything! Well . . . you know what I mean. I just need my babble buddies too much to want them to leap out into my real life. But hugs for being here on babble!
It took me about 7 years to make the leap from feeling like my current career was a bad fit, to actually starting grad school again. And maybe a year of therapy, with the whole of last summer pretty much focused on this issue. And a really supportive husband and a few very supportive friends. And a flexible job, and just the right program in my town. So, I know it's a convergence of tricky factors, and I'm really lucky. Hey, I feel so incredibly lucky! Not afraid! I just realized that. Yay for me! (I'm learning from Karen Kay about cheering myself on, too.)
- p
Posted by pegasus on February 29, 2004, at 17:55:43
In reply to I posted dissertation goal on Writing. Nag me plz, posted by gardenergirl on February 23, 2004, at 19:57:07
So, GG, how's the dissertation coming along? What section are you working on? Do you have any sections done yet? How are you feeling about it?
I just had dinner last night with an old friend from school, and we recalled an incident where he had to get an emergency root canal while finishing up his dissertation on a tight deadline. It was very bad timing. He kept putting off going to the dentist, until it got so bad he couldn't see straight and he had to get the root canal and almost missed a deadline. So remember to floss your teeth, and keep up your regular visits to the dentist. And otherwise take good care of yourself.
Um, I meant this to be supportive, but it sounds kind of scary now. I'm *sure* this will not happen to you.
- p
Posted by Racer on March 1, 2004, at 0:37:56
In reply to Re: WOW! » Racer, posted by pegasus on February 29, 2004, at 17:40:08
Speaking of crooked paths, I have a new one. It's so hard for me to express my feelings, in the sense that I can't tell you that I'm angry or happy or describe even hunger by name. I can offer word pictures to illustrate them, though. Here's one that came to me about life and therapy recently.
There's a maze in Australia, called Ashcrombe, which has a standard 7 foot hedge maze, and a rose maze. The rose maze is made up of walkways, with metal fences around them to keep you on the path. You can see, from any point, the bower in the center, with a bench for sitting, but you can't necessarily get there from here. There were several entrances, and many branching paths, but only one or two led to the center of the maze. That's life/therapy to me. Sometimes the most direct way is not a straight line.
What I think I was trying to say last night -- in a drug induced panic-AND-stupor -- was that you'll bring a new perspective to the field. You've learned one way of seeing the world now, and you won't be unlearning it -- just bringing that perspective to bear on a new subject. There's a lot of environmental science involved in mental health care, and your background can help you recognize signs that the patient is experiencing environmental impairment that another professional without your skills and experience might not.
I experienced a similar revalation in college, although not as profound as yours. Since I read a lot, everyone always told me I'd major in English Lit, so I did. Hell, I was a kid, what did I know? I didn't even know what alternatives there were! Oh, yeah, state school, so nothing useful like guidance counselors -- until AFTER you declared a major. While I'm still not entirely sure what I want to be when I grow up, I can discuss the new rescentions of certain novels, the contextual nuances of the Brontes, and the use of the comma in the novels of Ann Radcliffe. *When* I've found a use for all that, I'll let you know...
Posted by gardenergirl on March 1, 2004, at 0:43:38
In reply to So, how's it going? » gardenergirl, posted by pegasus on February 29, 2004, at 17:55:43
Pegasus,
Oh the pain! Actually, I recently had to have FOUR crowns done. I have really bad teeth, genetically in part, but I never used to floss. Since the crowns, where he had to cut into the gum and bone to raise the something or other due to decay, I have been VERY VERY good about flossing. So funny you would say that.I am working on my method section, but I am also finding myself distracted by the stats. Believe it or not, I found myself describing cluster analysis to a second year, and I sounded like I know what I am talking about. Good heavens, where did that come from? I feel like I should hurry up and write it down before it goes away. But I also don't want to jump from section to section too much as I get easily distracted.
How did the rest of you get it done? Did you work on yours piece by piece or more jumping around as you were inspired?
BTW, I am impressed with all the topics y'all have posted. (I hope I didn't leave anyone out of the subject line. It's late and I didn't read back through all of the posts.) The topics y'all had sound like a lot of work. I hope they are topics you were passionate about at least a little. I started with a topic I could not have cared less about. Of course, I did nothing on it, and eventually handed it back to the prof. who handed it to me. Someone else has picked it up, fortunately for the prof.
So, I have really clean floors from procrastinating yesterday, and I had social obligations today. A little behind, but it's spring break, so I only have three clients to see this week. Mucho work to do instead of therapy!
Thanks again for the support and the interesting comments about your own!
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on March 1, 2004, at 0:44:32
In reply to So, how's it going? » gardenergirl, posted by pegasus on February 29, 2004, at 17:55:43
Posted by pegasus on March 1, 2004, at 12:42:05
In reply to Got one for you » pegasus, posted by Racer on March 1, 2004, at 0:37:56
I don't even know what new rescensions are! LOL I bet what you said about me applies to you as well. I mean, there must be an interesting way to think about literature that transfers to other things in life. I think anytime we train our brains, it must affect a lot of areas that we weren't necessarily aiming for.
I like to read, too. When I was in high school, though, they let us take AP tests to get college credit for some high school work. I tested well on the English stuff, so I never took any English classes in college. Now, how dumb is that!? One of my favorite subjects, and I work it so I don't take any classes in the subject!! I had no idea what I was doing.
I like your maze idea. I think life is a maze. Only, somtimes the stuff you find in those dead ends is as cool as the stuff at the end of the maze. So, who is to say that you shouldn't just wander around having fun?
- p
Posted by pegasus on March 1, 2004, at 15:36:48
In reply to Re: So, how's it going? Noa, Em,Peg,Racer,shar, ?, posted by gardenergirl on March 1, 2004, at 0:43:38
Oh, sorry for the crowns GG! That's a weird cooincidence. I have bad teeth also. But I try to take good care of them, because I hate dentists. One way I cope with dental anxiety is to pinch myself while they're working on me. It freaks out the dental assistant, though, and she keeps trying to get me to stop by giving me stuffed animals, etc. I keep telling her it's *better* when I pinch, but she doesn't get it. Sigh.
I wrote my dissertation in a very regimented way. One section at a time. But maybe that's because I was pretty uninspired by the whole thing toward the end. I did keep track of random ideas that came up out of my schedule by sticking a note in that section, until it was time to work on it. I don't know what works best. I would guess that everyone has their own style that works best for them.
Good luck!
- p
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