I Was Not Your Model PhD Finisher: I Was the Exact Opposite!

"I learned the hard way, so you don't have to"—my dissertation coaching motto and approach.

My doctorate journey started off promising—having been a type "A" personality with an attitude of hard work pays off; I have always been one to complete tasks on time with effort, dedication and banging results. Naturally, when I started my doctorate journey, I declared to myself and everyone around me, "Watch me. The program guidelines say 4-6 years to finish your doctorate. I'll get it done in 4 years or less. Just watch." I had so much confidence in my assertion and declaration at the time.

Fast forward to TEN years (yes! A whole decade) later: Finally, I completed my doctorate, an accomplishment and feat that I felt in the past decade, almost every day, that I would not be able to complete. I even gave my thesis a begrudging nickname, "The Effer" (being language sensitive here—you know what I mean by "effer").

If it took me a whole decade to complete my doctorate, what makes me qualified and fitting to be a dissertation coach? Easy—I learned and did everything the hard way, so you don't have to. I know the ins and outs of navigating this journey, having been through many (and if not more) struggles and challenges that doctoral students go through. Because I didn't take sound advice from others during my journey and ended up faltering, stumbling and then realizing their wisdom and suggestions were valid, I am all the more aware of ensuring your journey is much more efficient, seamless and less stressful than mine.

Thinking back, what were some of the worst fears and challenges that I encountered during my doctoral journey? Before I list them and describe them here, I'd like to preface this by saying, in the end, I have no regrets. Still, heck, it did take MANY years of my life—a decade, to be specific to get it done because I was stubborn and sometimes just not informed or aware that I was putting roadblocks in my own way. I experienced setbacks that are most doctoral students' worst fears. Why am I sharing them with you? I want to let you know that because I have experienced, lived, and grown through those fears, I am keeping your well-being and goals for your doctoral journey at the forefront with compassion and understanding.

Here are some of my doctoral journey challenges and setbacks:

• During my third year, I changed my thesis topic AND my supervisor. I realized I was choosing my original topic to please my former supervisor.

• Finding committee members last minute: A natural introvert who doesn't care to socialize much with professors, when it was time to think of who I could approach to be on my committee, I realized others' suggestions on the importance of making connections with professors and take note of whose research interests align with mine, really does matter. How I found mine: One thesis committee member was Dr. Jack Miller. I took one of his courses, and he offered (very grateful!). I set up a meeting with the other committee member, Dr. Clive Beck because I took one of his courses and enjoyed his presence, scholarship, and teaching style. He accepted (again, very grateful!). But then, towards the end of my dissertation journey, Dr. Clive Beck unexpectedly passed away when I was ready to defend my thesis. My doctoral supervisor worked hard to help find someone to be on my committee—and thankfully, Dr. Robert White agreed to be on my committee. It was such an anxiety-inducing experience to secure committee members and then experience the death of Dr. Clive Beck. All goes to show you that things can happen during your doctoral journey, but things are figure-outable!

• I requested a "year of absence" from the graduate department because I felt disillusioned by the dissertation journey. Again, it was not something I thought I would do, but it was exactly what I needed. During that time, I tried a different career path, working as a general manager at a restaurant (without any experience in the serving industry! Yes, crazy, I know) to escape academia and my perceived academic failures and imposter syndrome. Interestingly, this experience led me back to my love for and determination to finish my thesis.

• I requested a PhD "degree extension." In my department, you can request an extension to finish your degree up to three times. I asked for an extension once and was granted it. However, through that process, I also learned my committee members' timelines matter too, not just mine: my doctoral supervisor was on a sabbatical for a while, and I was also worried that one of my committee members would retire soon, etc. There were scheduling conflicts, and I had to be flexible even though the department granted me this degree extension. I had a tight deadline for myself to finish my degree.

So you see? I walked through many twists and turns and unexpected pathways in my dissertation journey. All this to say that yes, you, too, will get your doctorate, but with my support, you will have someone by your side every step of the way to hear you out, give suggestions and hold you accountable in a compassionate and understanding way so you can get to the finish line. Completing your doctorate can be an overwhelming experience. Maybe you're struggling with structuring your thesis chapters, crafting a timeline for completion, or simply need some guidance and support throughout the process. If this sounds like you, then dissertation coaching might be just what you need to finally get your research done and achieve your academic goals. Check out the services I offer on the "Book Online" page, and be sure to book your complimentary free consultation session to see if my services align with your goals to finish that PhD! Let's GET THAT PHD DONE!!