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The Ph.D Grind: A Ph.D Student Memoir

pgbovine.net

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Re: The Ph.D Grind: A Ph.D Student Memoir

#2

Post by scott_s »

I'm only halfway through this, but it rings true to my experience. The circumstances are different, but the emotions and lessons I had to learn are much the same. Near the end of my PhD, when I knew that graduating was just a matter of time, I had difficulty explaining to people what the process had been like, and how to answer people when they asked if they should do it, too. In the future, I'll point them to this.

Re: The Ph.D Grind: A Ph.D Student Memoir

#3

Post by seanmcdirmid »

scott_s wrote: post #2

I'm only halfway through this, but it rings true to my experience. The circumstances are different, but the emotions and lessons I had to learn are much the same. Near the end of my PhD, when I knew that graduating was just a matter of time, I had difficulty explaining to people what the process had been like, and how to answer people when they asked if they should do it, too. In the future, I'll point them to this.

I've been out for 7 years now (ended about the same time this guy started). I actually had some experience working at Dawson's bug finding startup a bit at the end, which was an interesting experience, but not what I was interested in, so I went to EPFL to work on Scala for my post doc. I can sympathize with the author's struggles!

I'm only halfway through this, but everything is true, especially about research agendas and insider academic sub-communities.

Re: The Ph.D Grind: A Ph.D Student Memoir

#6

Post by jkimmel »

rgregory wrote: post #4

This rings true for Humanities Phd's as well. It's difficult to describe the cycle of guilt, drive and passion somehow all wrapped together. This is a great overview.

I'll second the motion from the biology department. The trials of finding the right mentor, navigating the waters around the Cape of Publication, and maintaining your passion seem to be common throughout academia. Definitely an informative read, regardless of the specific academic field.

Re: The Ph.D Grind: A Ph.D Student Memoir

#9

Post by pgbovine »

scott_s wrote: post #2

I'm only halfway through this, but it rings true to my experience. The circumstances are different, but the emotions and lessons I had to learn are much the same. Near the end of my PhD, when I knew that graduating was just a matter of time, I had difficulty explaining to people what the process had been like, and how to answer people when they asked if they should do it, too. In the future, I'll point them to this.

hey scott! i actually was gonna look you up and email the link to you tomorrow ... but it seems like someone else has already posted on HN
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