On Monday I met with Dr. P to go over my doctoral program. She was lovely...we spent a lot of time talking about our kids. Maternity leave, daycare, nursing (it's been a while, but I can still discuss these topics with some knowledge). It was very nice and we went to lunch.
She has definate ideas about some of the coursework I should take (she thinks it will be easier for me if I get more background in hard science before I engage in "translational research"). She may be right and I will keep an open mind. Her areas of expertise are not necessarily mine, but since I'm doing this VERY part-time, I will be able to tell over time how this is going. I also met Dr M, the education professor, who gave me ideas about that aspect of my program. It will take me 10 courses (5 more than is needed for my minor) and a practicum for me to become certified in this area...I'll have to see how this plays out (how many years to I plan to be in school?!?).
I signed up for class...one night a week beginning in January with the head of the department (who was also Dr. S's mentor) - she is VERY well known in the field - it's good and scary all at the same time...
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Mentors, and other critical support systems
Happy Thansgiving! I am thankful for my healthy and beautiful girls, a fabulous hubby (knezdad), my hubby's wonderful family, L&B's wonderful cooking (especially L's bread pudding!) and that I was accepted into my program...
This week I received notice of my "official" mentor, Dr. P...she's on maternity leave this semester, so we haven't connected yet (yay, another mom! She has two as well, but they are much younger than mine). It goes without saying that Dr. P is younger than me (isn't everyone?) - I think about by about 4 years. She's very respected in the field and I look forward to working with her.
Other professional mentors will be important to me as well. I received an assigned mentor through my professional organization. Dr. A is 29, loves her research field (very different from mine), an assistant professor at the U of Iowa (highly respected U in my field) and is a very enthusiastic mentor. I like her a lot.
I've decided to get my minor in SPED Administration (why? punishment, I suppose) and I connected with her last week. Dr. M is also enthusiastic about her field and has a related Master's degree, so she understands what I do.
I've looked through the course catalogue (on-line now...no more killing trees like when I was in grad school in 1989-1991). There are two courses I want to take (I can only take one) - One is taught be Dr. P (the official mentor) the other by Dr. M (the unofficial one)...we'll see how this works out after I have meetings with them.
Then there's Dr. S...the whole reason I'm doing this. She convinced me to adjunct for her (it only took 5 years of her asking and my girls to grow up a bit). She deserves a whole blog entry, but she'd be embarrassed to know it exists, so I'll just interject Dr. S-isms where appropriate.
knezdad - you are the ultimate support system...I couldn't do any of this without you and thank you for being such a wonderful hubby!
This week I received notice of my "official" mentor, Dr. P...she's on maternity leave this semester, so we haven't connected yet (yay, another mom! She has two as well, but they are much younger than mine). It goes without saying that Dr. P is younger than me (isn't everyone?) - I think about by about 4 years. She's very respected in the field and I look forward to working with her.
Other professional mentors will be important to me as well. I received an assigned mentor through my professional organization. Dr. A is 29, loves her research field (very different from mine), an assistant professor at the U of Iowa (highly respected U in my field) and is a very enthusiastic mentor. I like her a lot.
I've decided to get my minor in SPED Administration (why? punishment, I suppose) and I connected with her last week. Dr. M is also enthusiastic about her field and has a related Master's degree, so she understands what I do.
I've looked through the course catalogue (on-line now...no more killing trees like when I was in grad school in 1989-1991). There are two courses I want to take (I can only take one) - One is taught be Dr. P (the official mentor) the other by Dr. M (the unofficial one)...we'll see how this works out after I have meetings with them.
Then there's Dr. S...the whole reason I'm doing this. She convinced me to adjunct for her (it only took 5 years of her asking and my girls to grow up a bit). She deserves a whole blog entry, but she'd be embarrassed to know it exists, so I'll just interject Dr. S-isms where appropriate.
knezdad - you are the ultimate support system...I couldn't do any of this without you and thank you for being such a wonderful hubby!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
ooohhh...it's going to be many years before I'm done
knezdad and I have talked many hours about my going back to school...I spent all last summer studying for the GREs again (but did better this time than when I took them 18 years ago). Last Wednesday I receive my acceptance to my PhD program. Well, "received" is not exactly the right word. I checked the website on my PDA after teaching a class...and saw the work accepted instead of applied, which it has said since I sent in my application in July. Now I wait for the letter in the mail. More anticlimactic than when I was accepted to my M.S. program and waited for the mailman to come...
I am a mom of two elementary aged children, have a great husband, work full time as an educational consultant, teach an adjunct course at a state college one night a week (65 miles south of home). The PhD program is 65 miles west of home. While work is helping with the costs, that gravy train might end at any time (there's no guarantee of financial help for all semesters). I'm starting this very part-time (one course a semester).
I read the above paragraph, and think, "who the heck is this person?" When it's written down, it doesn't sound like my life at all. My life is just...my life.
BTW - knezdad is awesome...two years ago, we made a decision to remove our children from daycare (one was not doing well at all). He quit his very stressful job to become a stay-at-home-dad (I was working part-time and I returned to my job full-time). The company recognized his value, so he became an assistant to the guy who replaced him. Now he has a job where he can work around the kids' bus schedules, so he's always home when they are home. He works weekends, when I'm home with the kids. I couldn't do this PhD program without him and his schedule...I am very aware how lucky I am. Last week we celebrated 21 years of being together (we met as undergrads). We really work as a team.
Why a blog? Just to document why I'm doing this. (why am I doing this? oh right, academia...). I want to keep things in perspective for me. I'll post the trials and tribulation of starting a PhD program at 40, and the wonderful experiences I have as a mom. I don't expect anyone to actually read this. There is so little information out there for older students will kids returning to school, if it can help one other person, fabulous.
I am a mom of two elementary aged children, have a great husband, work full time as an educational consultant, teach an adjunct course at a state college one night a week (65 miles south of home). The PhD program is 65 miles west of home. While work is helping with the costs, that gravy train might end at any time (there's no guarantee of financial help for all semesters). I'm starting this very part-time (one course a semester).
I read the above paragraph, and think, "who the heck is this person?" When it's written down, it doesn't sound like my life at all. My life is just...my life.
BTW - knezdad is awesome...two years ago, we made a decision to remove our children from daycare (one was not doing well at all). He quit his very stressful job to become a stay-at-home-dad (I was working part-time and I returned to my job full-time). The company recognized his value, so he became an assistant to the guy who replaced him. Now he has a job where he can work around the kids' bus schedules, so he's always home when they are home. He works weekends, when I'm home with the kids. I couldn't do this PhD program without him and his schedule...I am very aware how lucky I am. Last week we celebrated 21 years of being together (we met as undergrads). We really work as a team.
Why a blog? Just to document why I'm doing this. (why am I doing this? oh right, academia...). I want to keep things in perspective for me. I'll post the trials and tribulation of starting a PhD program at 40, and the wonderful experiences I have as a mom. I don't expect anyone to actually read this. There is so little information out there for older students will kids returning to school, if it can help one other person, fabulous.
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