I started writing this post in response to the question “Why are you doing a PhD?” But then I started thinking about the other questions friends and family have been asking. The best way for me to explain is to answer the five W’s (and one H). I present them in the order I am typically asked, What-Where-Who-When-How-Why.
What- “What is a PhD?” In my own words, a doctorate degree (PhD) is training towards a career in research. That is not a historically accurate definition, and many PhDs do not go into research, but for my career goals, this is the definition. “Are you a student?” I am sort of a student. I will take a few classes, but unlike undergraduate students, taking classes is not my primary job. “Does that mean you have a job?” Yes, I have a job, being a PhD is my job. Part of my job is taking classes, but the larger of my job is working on research with my advisor, the two are linked. I am expected to work full-time and am compensated with a full-time salary. Part of my salary is “working” 20 hours a week for my advisor (Kate), but that means working 20 hours on my research or on other research projects in the lab. The reality is, however, between research and classes I will average over 40 hours of work each week, and I am ok with that.
Where- “Where do you work?” The University of Maryland-College Park! This is my home base, the place I come to work every day, where my classes are, where my labs are, and where I bring my samples at the end of the day. Additionally, I will conduct research on different farms throughout Maryland, Delaware, and potentially other states and/or countries, and participate in training events and conferences. All of these will take me away from College Park for days or weeks, please follow along in my adventures!
Who- “Who is involved in this PhD?” Myself! An easy answer, right? It is true, I am doing this PhD because I decided to focus on myself for once in my life (woohoo!). This PhD is, however, going to be a team effort. I am going to have guidance from Kate and the other members of my graduate committee. I am also going to be working closely with undergraduate and graduate students, professors, the graduate school, Plant Science faculty and staff, farmers, and the list goes on. Also, my friends and family are going to play a larger role in this PhD than they can even imagine.
When- “When and for how long is this PhD?” I’m starting right now, this is my first semester as a PhD student. PhDs typically take 3-5 years. I’m expecting this to take me 4-5 years and if that is the case, I am ok with it.
How- “How will you get this PhD?” First, I am going to do well in classes and pass with a B average or higher (hopefully higher). Second, I am going to conduct new and exciting research that will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Third, I will pass several large examinations including writing/defending a research proposal, passing an expensive knowledge-based exam (comps or prelims), and a final defense to prove I have done the research I proposed and that I can properly communicate that research to other scientists and the public. If I can accomplish all of these tasks, I will have a PhD. I have a decently long list of other goals I hope to accomplish during my PhD, but these are the critical steps in passing.
Why- The burning question everyone wants to know, “Why are you doing a PhD?” I want a career in research. Specifically, I want to be that person writing grants, making science happen, and writing up science for the rest of the world to benefit from. It might sound boring, and I might change my tune in a few years, but right now that is my career goal. I cannot reach this goal without a PhD. “Why a PhD in agriculture and why in Maryland?” The MAIN reason I am in Maryland is because Kate had funding for the research I wanted to do and I thought her and I would work well together. The exact fact that we are in MD is a coincidence, I assure you. Other items I considered when applying for PhDs, Maryland is in the Big Ten Conference (yes, there are other benefits besides sports), the large size of the school, and our proximity to various government agencies, research institutions, and universities across the East Coast. We are so lucky to be in close proximity and are currently working with NASA, the USDA, Maryland Soybean Board, UMD and University of Delaware Extension, Precision Hawk, and many other entities that I’m not even aware of yet. I feel I have more opportunities for connections here than I would in other regions of the country. Finally, it is very nice that I am so close to my family and our farm, I love this fact. I love spending time with my grandparents, they won’t be around forever and these are precious years for all of us. The assumption that I am here just because I wanted to “move home” is incorrect and I am so lucky Kate could see past that and hired me.
I am lucky to be here, at UMD, in the Plant Science department, and to have Kate as my major advisor. I know my PhD is going to be a great deal of work, but I am prepared for the ups and downs and I am going to make the most of it. I’m very excited to be sharing these adventures with all of you. Please contact me if you have any other questions about my personal motivations behind a PhD or if you have any questions about the whole process. Thanks!
What- “What is a PhD?” In my own words, a doctorate degree (PhD) is training towards a career in research. That is not a historically accurate definition, and many PhDs do not go into research, but for my career goals, this is the definition. “Are you a student?” I am sort of a student. I will take a few classes, but unlike undergraduate students, taking classes is not my primary job. “Does that mean you have a job?” Yes, I have a job, being a PhD is my job. Part of my job is taking classes, but the larger of my job is working on research with my advisor, the two are linked. I am expected to work full-time and am compensated with a full-time salary. Part of my salary is “working” 20 hours a week for my advisor (Kate), but that means working 20 hours on my research or on other research projects in the lab. The reality is, however, between research and classes I will average over 40 hours of work each week, and I am ok with that.
Where- “Where do you work?” The University of Maryland-College Park! This is my home base, the place I come to work every day, where my classes are, where my labs are, and where I bring my samples at the end of the day. Additionally, I will conduct research on different farms throughout Maryland, Delaware, and potentially other states and/or countries, and participate in training events and conferences. All of these will take me away from College Park for days or weeks, please follow along in my adventures!
Who- “Who is involved in this PhD?” Myself! An easy answer, right? It is true, I am doing this PhD because I decided to focus on myself for once in my life (woohoo!). This PhD is, however, going to be a team effort. I am going to have guidance from Kate and the other members of my graduate committee. I am also going to be working closely with undergraduate and graduate students, professors, the graduate school, Plant Science faculty and staff, farmers, and the list goes on. Also, my friends and family are going to play a larger role in this PhD than they can even imagine.
When- “When and for how long is this PhD?” I’m starting right now, this is my first semester as a PhD student. PhDs typically take 3-5 years. I’m expecting this to take me 4-5 years and if that is the case, I am ok with it.
How- “How will you get this PhD?” First, I am going to do well in classes and pass with a B average or higher (hopefully higher). Second, I am going to conduct new and exciting research that will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Third, I will pass several large examinations including writing/defending a research proposal, passing an expensive knowledge-based exam (comps or prelims), and a final defense to prove I have done the research I proposed and that I can properly communicate that research to other scientists and the public. If I can accomplish all of these tasks, I will have a PhD. I have a decently long list of other goals I hope to accomplish during my PhD, but these are the critical steps in passing.
Why- The burning question everyone wants to know, “Why are you doing a PhD?” I want a career in research. Specifically, I want to be that person writing grants, making science happen, and writing up science for the rest of the world to benefit from. It might sound boring, and I might change my tune in a few years, but right now that is my career goal. I cannot reach this goal without a PhD. “Why a PhD in agriculture and why in Maryland?” The MAIN reason I am in Maryland is because Kate had funding for the research I wanted to do and I thought her and I would work well together. The exact fact that we are in MD is a coincidence, I assure you. Other items I considered when applying for PhDs, Maryland is in the Big Ten Conference (yes, there are other benefits besides sports), the large size of the school, and our proximity to various government agencies, research institutions, and universities across the East Coast. We are so lucky to be in close proximity and are currently working with NASA, the USDA, Maryland Soybean Board, UMD and University of Delaware Extension, Precision Hawk, and many other entities that I’m not even aware of yet. I feel I have more opportunities for connections here than I would in other regions of the country. Finally, it is very nice that I am so close to my family and our farm, I love this fact. I love spending time with my grandparents, they won’t be around forever and these are precious years for all of us. The assumption that I am here just because I wanted to “move home” is incorrect and I am so lucky Kate could see past that and hired me.
I am lucky to be here, at UMD, in the Plant Science department, and to have Kate as my major advisor. I know my PhD is going to be a great deal of work, but I am prepared for the ups and downs and I am going to make the most of it. I’m very excited to be sharing these adventures with all of you. Please contact me if you have any other questions about my personal motivations behind a PhD or if you have any questions about the whole process. Thanks!