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What Not to Ask a Dissertating PhD

By: Unknown on 9:00 PM / comment : 0 featured, Grad school, History, lifestyle, PhD

Living in dissertation land is stressful enough on it's own, but fielding constant questions from friends, family, and strangers only adds to my stress. I know these questions are not malicious and people ask because they genuinely care. Nevertheless, writing a dissertation is a very specific kind of hell struggle most people have never experienced. Since most will never understand what the process is like, their questions, while well-intentioned, become a bit exasperating. So, I figured rather than get frustrated with people, I should explain why these standard questions are often ill-received.

Don't ask:

1) When will you be done?
Getting your PhD is not like getting a 4-year undergraduate degree. Every program is different and timelines are more malleable. In most programs, being a PhD is a full-time job and you are considered a professional. You don't go around asking other professionals when they will be done with their training or position, right? Just remember, that writing a book and conducting original research is not done in a classroom for two semesters a year. Your book/research is done when you finish.

2) What are you going to do with that?
The current job market for PhDs isn't great, especially those of us in the humanities, so asking this only increases our anxiety about spending a decade on something that has terrible prospects. I promise I will do something with it, but first I need to finish! Please don't remind me that I probably won't get my dream job.

3) What is your dissertation about?
Ok, this one seems simple and like it would be a good idea, but honestly, no one really cares that much about my esoteric dissertation topic. I have a generic canned response I give, but it is best to ask this question only if you are truly interested in a lengthy history lesson.

4) Shouldn't you be writing?
Yes, always. But life, writer's block, stress, and $hit happens.

5) How's the dissertation going?
Terrible, it's a dissertation. Have you ever written a book? It's not easy. Plus, only five people will probably even read this beast I have devoted the better part of six years on...*sigh*

6) How much, or many pages, have you written?
Just stay away from numbers, they are only a reminder of how much I haven't written and still need to write.

Oh and try to avoid calling a PhD's job/research "school work." It comes off as dismissive, as if they are an overgrown kid in school, not a working professional.


Instead you can ask:

1) Can I buy you drink?

2) Can I cook you dinner? 

And if you actually want to know more about someone's topic or the process of writing a dissertation, try these safer alternatives:

3) Which do you prefer, researching or writing?

4) What is the most interesting thing you have uncovered through your research?

5) Where do you do your research?

6) What got you interested in your subject?


Maybe these will save you from an awkward encounter with a dissertating PhD.

Why More People Should Major in History

By: Unknown on 9:03 PM / comment : 0 featured, Grad school, History, lifestyle

I get a lot of questions about what I plan on doing with my history PhD and what can be done with a history degree more generally. I am surprised how undervalued history degrees are. Despite what you might think, history isn't about memorizing dates and names. History teaches you how to read effectively, think critically, write, research, and analyze and interpret data. All very useful skill sets in a wide variety of fields.

While it is true that becoming a tenure-track professor in the current market is a next-to-impossible goal, this doesn't mean that history degrees are not valuable. I think we have to move beyond the mindset that employers are looking for specific degrees. While specific degrees are required for some careers, more often then not, employers are looking for certain skill sets.

I constantly hear from my friends and family in corporate settings and technological industries that their biggest issue with hiring employees is finding someone who can read and write. It seems so simple, but with higher education's current emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and technical training, I think we are not giving students the reading comprehension and writing skills they need to succeed in any field/life.

I realize history isn't for everyone, but if you do enjoy history, I encourage you not to dismiss it (or the humanities more generally) because it is perceived as being useless or not leading to a specific career. Both couldn't be further from the truth. History degrees are wonderful for preparing students for law school, government employment, and museum work. And the skills acquired from a history degree will teach you how to adapt ideas, explain & interpret events and ideas, summarize information, compare and compile reports, developed world views and understand interrelatedness, offer new perspectives, develop new agendas for old problems, problem solve in general, present information using written and spoken media, and the biggest one, write effectively. I could go on and on, but all of these are essential skills almost every employer is looking for.

So before you dismiss history, think about taking a course, minoring, or even majoring in history. You might be surprised just how useful it is. And on a final note, I leave you with this amazing poster from the University of Utah's Humanities Department:


If you are thinking of applying to grad school for history, you can read my tips for applying here. And if you want more history, here are the five history books that have had the greatest impact on me as a historian.

Buon Weekend!

The Graduate School Balancing Act

By: Unknown on 9:00 PM / comment : 0 featured, Grad school, How I do it, lifestyle

The other day on Instagram someone commented that they wanted to see a week in my life because they didn't understand how I travel so much and keep up with the work/responsibilities of graduate school. I'll be honest, most of the time I don't know how I manage to do it all - work on my dissertation, teach, grade, run my Etsy store, blog, and work as a study abroad coordinator. But, I promised myself when I became a full-time graduate student that I wouldn't sacrifice my quality of life or my other interests (hence the blogging).

Dealing with Disappointment

By: Unknown on 9:49 AM / comment : 0 featured, Grad school, History, lifestyle

Even though disappointment is an unavoidable part of life, it never ceases to stop hurting. Especially when you work really hard for something and want it so badly. You get your hopes up and imagine what could be. You start planning and dreaming and then suddenly your hopes are dashed and you have to deal with the realization that what you wanted and worked so hard for isn't going to happen.

Grad school seems to come with more than its fair share of disappointment, since there are more candidates than there are grants and jobs. Last month I was over the moon when I received a phone call letting me know that I was a finalist for the Rome Prize. The Rome Prize is a prestigious and highly-coveted grant awarded by the American Academy in Rome. Scholars receive a year of funding and get to live at the Academy in Rome while they research and write. It is basically a dream, and I applied thinking I would never stand a chance.

But then I got that phone call and I started to dream about what might be. They flew me to New York last weekend for my interview. I was so nervous and excited. I had spent all week prepping and preparing. Halfway through the interview, however, my stomach began to twist. I could tell by their questions that they wanted me to be in a place that I wasn't. It felt like they were looking for someone who was well into the dissertation writing process, and I had only just begun. Despite this, I maintained my cool and the interview went well. I left still holding on to a bit of hope.

Unfortunately, the following Tuesday that hope was replaced by disappointment when I received the phone call telling me that I had not been selected for the grant, but that I was the alternate. My heart sank. I had convinced myself that this grant was going to be my big break and one of the defining moments of my career. I wanted it so badly, but I wasn't going to get it. Disappointment flooded over me and I allowed myself a 24-hour pity party, complete with prosecco and Nutella.

But here is the thing. I believe everything happens for a reason... or at least I need to believe that. So after my 24-hour pity party, I wiped the dried Nutella from my face and re-grouped. I reminded myself that this wasn't my only opportunity. I needed to reflect on what I could learn from the experience and move forward with that in mind.

What seems like a devastating disappointment today will only be a bump in the road tomorrow. Case in point, when I was an undergraduate I was convinced that I wanted to go straight to grad school for my Masters and Ph.D. in Art History. I had applied to several schools and even landed an on-site interview and visit at a pretty prestigious school in New York. I went to visit, met with the professor I wanted to work with, and even sat in on one of her graduate classes. At the end of the visit, however, she sat me down and flat out said that she didn't think I was ready for grad school. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I was devastated.

At the time her worlds felt like the end of all of my hopes and dreams, but looking back it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Because I didn't go to grad school right away, I worked abroad that summer in Italy. Working abroad led to travel opportunities, new interests, even new careers. And I wouldn't be where I am today without those experiences.

So while I am sad and disappointed I won't be going to Rome next year. I know it isn't the end of the world and there will be other opportunities. In fact, I plan on reapplying next year.


Have you ever had a disappointment turn into an advantage?

500 Words a Day

By: Unknown on 9:00 PM / comment : 0 featured, Grad school, History

500 words a day... sounds easy right? This is my dissertation diet. From now until the first of May I need to write 500 words a day.

Huge projects (like writing a book) are completely overwhelming. Whether it is a research paper or a dissertation, it helps to break large projects into their smallest, and most attainable, parts. The worst thing you can do is procrastinate or expect that you can simply lock yourself in a room for a day or two (or a month in my case) and finish. That is just not healthy and, usually, does not produce your best work (although we have all done it).

Since writing is the act of thinking, it is a process, not a product. You have to give yourself the time to write, think, and rewrite. I am hoping that by creating such a small daily goal, I won't get overwhelmed by the process of writing my dissertation. I can sit down each and every day and simply write. I also hope that this will prevent me from being consumed by the dissertation writing process. I want to maintain balance in my life - work hard while still maintaining my health, friendships, and hobbies. Also, miss Ophelia requires a lot of attention!

Of course this is all well and good in theory, but, like with anything, goals can be more difficult in reality. If I can keep to this dissertation diet, however, I will have a little more than 50,000 words by the end of this semester, which would give me plenty of time over the summer in Italy to research any missing pieces, and begin revising. My long-term goal is to defend in spring 2017.

Here is to setting attainable goals and making them happen!

The Past is Chaos

By: Unknown on 5:44 AM / comment : 0 from the archives, Grad school, History

I will never forget the first time I heard my advisor state, "the past is chaos." It was during the first class of my master's program. A program that week after week rocked my world and challenged me to rethink everything I thought I knew about history.

At the time, I thought I understood what she meant. I had never thought about the difference between the past and history, much less that there was one. That simple sentence, however, perfectly summed up the difference between the innumerable people, places, events, actions, thoughts, experiences and emotions of the past and the narratives historians construct. Looking back now, I understood the theory, but it wasn't until I spent a year researching in the archive of Florence that I could grasp the reality of that statement.

As I continue to unpack, I am confronted by the chaos of information I collected over the year. I am overwhelmed by letters, inventories, financial receipts, recipes, and travel narratives - thousands of bits of information with no intrinsic narrative. It is chaos, and over the course of this year, I have to transform that chaos into a dissertation/book. Right now, the thought of that freaks me out. But, I know I need to overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed and intimidated by such a big project and just get to work (easier said than done, of course).

So what kind of narrative am I hoping to write? My goal with this project is to rethink and rewrite the story of the late Medici dynasty through the lens of medicine and natural history. Previous histories on the Medici family have adhered to a narrative of decline. This narrative began with late nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century British historians. Basically these historians championed the rise of the Medici beginning with the family's early bankers/merchants Cosimo il Vecchio and Lorenzo Magnifico. Following the family's economic rise, they solidified their political influence with the election of two popes and establishing formal rule over Florence as dukes (and later Grand Dukes). A century and a half later, however, this narrative changes from one of wealth, power, influence, and innovation to one of gluttony, stagnation, bigotry, and decay.

If only life and history were that simple and conformed to such uncomplicated dichotomies. Hopefully, my archival-based research can shed some new light on this later period and reveal a more nuanced understanding the late Medici court.

So, here goes nothing!

Academic Tips: Networking + Asking For Help

By: Unknown on 2:33 AM / comment : 0 featured, Grad school, History

There’s this notion that being, or becoming, a successful academic depends exclusively on a person’s brilliance and dedication to their studies. As much as I wish one’s natural abilities and commitment were the only determinants of one’s success, this simply isn’t the reality in academia, or in any field/profession for that matter. Fueling this perception is the fact that many in academia were drawn to intellectual pursuits because they are naturally introverted or lack social skills. That’s a nice way of saying that a lot of academics are socially awkward and/or don’t play well with others. 

If there is one thing I have learned in my years in graduate school, it is that no matter your brilliance you absolutely must put yourself out there to network within your field and seek help from established scholars in order to succeed. First, it is important to understand that networking is not the same as participating in an old school, “good ol’ boys club.” That is to say, by professionally networking you aren’t participating in a system that is designed to exclude people in order to ensure the power and success of a select few. In contrast, networking is open to all and allows you to engage with like-minded scholars and gain exposure for your work. 

Here are some ways to network as a grad student:

Conferences 
Conferences are a very traditional form of academic networking. They often feel stuffy and awkward, but it is important that you both give papers/presentations and attend other scholars’ papers/presentations. In addition to presenting and attending, you should push yourself to ask thoughtful questions and introduce yourself to the presenter following their talk (especially if they work in the same or a related field).

Email Introductions
Again, a blind email introduction feels awkward. Scholars, however, are always excited to “meet” junior scholars working in their field, especially since fields are often very specialized. When you do email, make sure you have something to say. Don’t just tell them about you; let them know how their work has influenced your own (who doesn’t love flattery?). Finally, try to ask a meaningful question. This will hopefully start a significant dialogue!

Academic Networking Sites
Make sure that you are aware of the relevant academic networking websites for your field. These sites are used to announce things like conferences, publications, and job openings. Academia.edu (aka “Facebook for academics”) has become a very important site for scholars to connect. Make sure you have an updated profile and samples of your work. 

Social Networking 
Believe it or not, many historians have taken to twitter and they call themselves “twitterstorians” (with a hash tag and everything). Twitter is a fun and casual way to interact with scholars (who are people too!) and there are lots of important scholars who tweet regularly. I have even live-tweeted a conference for the institution I am researching at in Florence. Social media isn’t going anywhere and I imaging it will only become more important with future generations of scholars.

Cooperative Research
Finally, if your research allows for collaborative or interdisciplinary projects and research, you should definitely pursue it! I am seeing more and more grants geared to these types of collaborative projects.

As important as networking is, it is even more important that you don’t stop at making connections. You need to use the connections that you make! That means not being afraid to ask for help or advice. And most importantly, you want to create connections with scholars who can one day write letters of recommendation for you when you apply for grants and jobs. 

One final thing to remember, don’t just focus on networking with the most well-known people in your field. Horizontal connections with your peers, or those slightly above you, are just as fruitful. 


If you have any networking tips please share!