A checklist for my PhD mid-term reflection: It is okay and totally normal to feel lost sometimes.
Dear friends,
At the beginning of the 4th yr of my PhD, I feel a lot of stresses and self-doubt. After talking with my mentors and peers and studying the CVs of some cool ppl (junior faculty & PhD students), I realized that what I really need to do this Sunday is not to push myself to finish the work from last week but to take a moment to think about my TRUE goals associated with my PhD identity (I have other identities!).
To guide my reflection, I developed some prompts and action items. They are not based on any behavior theories but I found them very helpful. If this may be of any help, feel free to use this checklist (you may want to tailor it to your situation) and/or share it with your friends!!
Best,
Yiqing
July 11, 2021
My checklist
1. Identify my goals of expertise and skillsets
May begin with thinking about the following questions:
o What I am REALLY interested in? Think about research-related stuff that I find joy.
o What I am good at?
§ What are my previous contributions to manuscripts and research projects?
§ How do others see me? What are some positive evaluations I received from my collaborators, peers, mentors, and students?
o Which areas that I am currently not good/experienced but I really want to learn/have the resources to learn?
o How about the funding situation for certain research areas? (It is okay if I don’t know)
My goals of content expertise
o Tier 1: areas that I want to feel confident and passionate about in terms of leading papers, applying for grants, teaching, mentoring students, etc.
o Tier 2: areas/projects that I want to be considered as a candidate of "best supporting actors."
o Tier 3?
My goals for method expertise
o Tier 1: methods that…
§ I am good at
§ love to teach and coach others
§ qualified as a reviewer
§ want to write a textbook/develop a YouTube channel now or in the future
o Tier 2: methods that…
§ I have some research/education experience.
§ I can understand a manuscript/research talk applying this method.
§ I can learn this method and apply it in a short time if needed.
· My other professional goals:
o Teaching...
o Coaching, mentoring
o Others?
2. Update my CV
+ Linkedln, personal website, etc
Celebrate any updates I am able to make this time!!
3. Identify gaps between the "current me" and the "ideal me" (when I am on the job market)
Gap 1: ...
Gap 2: ...
4. Think about how to achieve those goals!
Try to be specific, reach out to ppl for feedback (coach, mentors, advanced students, peers, etc.)
Places to start:
In my dissertation...
In my teaching...
In the current research projects (and proposals) that I am leading/contributing...
In some ongoing research projects that I have heard about...
5. [Developing my support system] Identify *people* whom I want to...
collaborate in ...
build/continue mentorship for ...
get support on ...
get connected OR re-connected for ...
Note: list questions and reach out for feedback!