Dissertation and Promotion

The most surprising aspect about dissertation writing that the Dissertation Journey helped elucidate for me is that it is not supposed to be a contentious effort on behalf of the candidate but rather a chance for the PhD candidate to present findings, discuss the problem and the manner by which they went about their investigation of the problem, and most surprisingly, Roberts and Hyatt state that the defense is an "exciting and collegial experience" (p. 183). Now that do couch this statement in saying that the process may vary depending on the institution, but this was very surprising to me. I was envisioning a Star Chamber or Congressional Testimony whenever I thought about a dissertation defense. 

For example, when moving from the lower enlisted ranks to become a non-commissioned officer (NCO), soldiers must not only study for a test and attend a three week long class, they must also stand across from the highest enlisted leaders in the unit and be ready to answer any questions from the unit's policies and procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), the Ranger Handbook, or the NCO rules and regulations. My own panel was a fiasco and I was stunned that I passed. I was so nervous that when the First Sergeant saluted me, I actually forgot to salute back until someone prompted me. Yep, THAT bad. 

This was the model that I imagined when dissertation defense was discussed. Now, having read that quote, I'm not surprised. The second surprise from both the book and from the last year of working with my Major Professor, is how much help I'm getting to ensure I get things right. There's this book, this class and other classes like it, all of the professors. Instead of a contentious experience, the dissertation writing process seems more of a collaboration of like minds helping guide the student to success. Heck, even having a class dissecting and getting granular with the APA style book is a wonderful help to move me along. Why shouldn't the defense be conducted in a similar manner? NCO's at my unit were hardly as supportive in my elevation to sergeant.

This style of advancement, with multiple support systems such as 1) my weekly student study group, 2) my dissertation committee, 3) the professors with whom I interact and 4) the major professor is unique and beneficial. Already I've found I have more support than for most of my projects at work, or have ever had with any career advancement opportunity. I find that this style of support also has led to positive insights and to greater growth toward identifying the area of interest that I have, developing my thoughts within those areas, and fine-tuning my dissertation topic. It was not what I had been expecting. I may not have expected the rigor and defensiveness that came with getting my sergeant stripes, but I did not expect this much support either. Perhaps the corporate (contracting) world within which I work, where there is a definite "sink or swim" attitude and mind set has become too engrained in my mind. I am finding that I like having swimming lessons and a coach to help!

Instead of dreading the process I am looking forward to getting started and editing. Having read the Dissertation Journey, and having started building a committee, I'm looking forward to the next steps with verve and gusto. 

References:

Roberts, C. & Hyatt, L. (2019). The dissertation journey (3rd edition). Corwin Press.