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• Feature Article: Dissertation Advisor Horror Stories
Dissertation Advisor Horror Stories
We've all heard them: stories about the dissertation advisor from
Hell. My clients have told me stories that make my hair stand on end.
To be fair, I only hear one side of each story. But since I talk to
people on a weekly basis, it would be hard for them to make these stories
up.
And while I'm being fair, let me just state that I have heard
stories about wonderful advisors also. The National Association for the
Support of Graduate and Professional Students (NAGPS) did a survey in
2000 and found that 77% of graduate students surveyed felt that they
were receiving 'ongoing, constructive feedback' from their supervisor.
Unfortunately, that leaves 23% who answered in the negative (or neutral).
The nature of my practice means that I am more likely to see the dissatisfied
advisees.
Who Cares About Bad Advisors?
It is the advisor that can make or break your graduate experience. The
advisor is the person who will help you develop as a scholar or professional
in your chosen field. Even the most prestigious schools can turn out
an unprepared Ph.D. if the advisor quality is low.
Many of my grad student clients appear to suffer from a version of posttraumatic
stress. They have been so burned by their advisors that they get panicked
just thinking about contacting them. Their self esteem has been lowered
and they question their ability to function in the field.
The Advisor Who Ignores Your Existence
I've noticed that the students who have the hardest time are those
who move out of town when they are ABD. Their advisors suddenly act as
if they don't exist. They don’t return emails (one client
has waited 7 weeks and counting), they take long periods of time to return
drafts (one person drove 6 hours in the snow, only to be told when meeting
with his advisor that he should go away for a couple of hours so the
advisor could actually read what had been sent a month ago.)
The Advisor Who Sits on Drafts
I think we would all agree that a month is an ok turnaround time. But
a year? Yes, one of my clients waited a year to get feedback. Unfortunately,
such treatment can cause the student to blame himself, rather than demand
his rights. See next week's article on how to handle such situations.
The Advisor Who Demands A Perfect First Draft
Here is one extreme example of the demand for perfection. A client of
mine tried to talk to her advisor about some problems with the structure
of her thesis. The advisor responded that she would not comment until
she read the actual final dissertation!
The Advisor Who is Too Busy to Attend Your Defense
I'm not sure how this could be possible, but I've known
students who have to postpone their defense, which is months away, because
the advisor or a committee member doesn't have time.
The Cruel and Cutting Advisor
Having apparently forgotten what it's like to be a graduate student,
some advisors give huge, hurtful insulting comments without specific,
helpful suggestions. The most extreme example I've heard is the
advisor whose response to receiving two chapters was to say that
one chapter was fine, but that the other one made him wonder if she should
change advisors.
How To Repair the Rift and Get Your Needs Met
If you are in this kind of situation, what should you do? Tune in next
week, when I review the various options.
Do You Have a Horror Story?
If you do, please let me know, anonymously if you wish. I'’d also
welcome any first person accounts from people who have successfully dealt
with such a situation. Check
out my 'Discuss it' forum, located
in the 'Articles, Services and Tools' section of my website
(see the left hand column.)
© Gina Hiatt, PhD.
Gina is a dissertation
and tenure coach.
She helps academics, from grad students wondering about their
dissertation topic to faculty members who want to maintain a
high level of research and writing, to reach their goals more
quickly and less painfully.
 Ready to finish your dissertation?
Coaching can help you complete it more quickly with less pain.
Call or write Gina about individual or group coaching.
Overwhelmed with the responsibilities of being a junior
professor, or worried about getting tenured? Call or write
Gina about individual coaching or her writing/time management
groups.
Stay tuned to this newsletter, which will give you hints, reminders
and practical suggestions for staying on track and creating the career
you deserve. And check out the writing/time management groups on our
website!
Ask the Coach
Have a question that you would like to have addressed in this
newsletter? Send it to questions@academicladder.com and you could see your question answered in the next issue!
R & D Team
Want to be on my R & D team? I'm creating two workbooks,
one for grad students, and one for professors. If you would like to give
input and insight on
what to include, or critique a page or two, just send
me an email with R & D in the subject line. Include your name, let me know if you
are student or faculty, and any other details you'd care to share. Thanks!
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The Academic Ladder
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'I am entirely certain that twenty years from now
we will look back at education as it is practiced in most schools today
and wonder that we could have tolerated anything so primitive.' -
John W. Gardner
 Book of the week:
 A
Ph.D. Is Not Enough: A Guide to Survival in Science
by Peter J. Feibelman
Despite it being geared towards scientists, this short
book gives nitty-gritty information that will be extremely helpful to
academics in any field. From giving a talk to choosing a career, his
advice is succinct, to the point, and useful. Although best read when
you're still in graduate school, even before you pick your dissertation
topic, it's helpful at any stage of your career.
Read
more reviews!
RESOURCES, REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS
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