I saw a female faculty in the hallway the other day. Last time I spoke with her, I was in poor shape (you, dear reader, might remember). She'd given me some advice on the preliminary exam, finishing the degree, and getting a job. She asked, "How is the prelim going?" I said, "All done." She said, "Wow! Do you plan on graduating this summer?" I said, "I've got some job offers already."
This is how I thought graduate school was supposed to be. I'm working independently on stuff I enjoy. I'm learning new things. I see a clear end. I know what I need to do to get out.
Instead, the first 11 semesters were torture; I got through them with rage, depression, therapy, and tenacity. The last 2 look like they'll be decent.
I've quoted her before, but she's worth repeating. From Annie Proulx's "The Bunchgrass Edge of the World,"
The main thing in life was staying power. That was it: stand around long enough, you'd get to sit down.
One question: What do I call this blog once I graduate?
6 comments:
Oh Oh Oh - where's the offers?
as for names - FemaleCSDoctor or something like that.
you don't. rather, you start a new one, perhaps entitled $firstName $lastName, PhD. with your real name, that is, not cheeky variables. :)
How exciting! It must be wonderful to see a clear end. I hope you blog a bit on how you are deciding which job offer to take.
Whatever you call your new blog, please don't disappear!
oh please! oh please! oh please!!!
I'm really happy to hear that you will continue the blog.
I never comment, I'm not a cs or a grad student... but I love reading your blog. You might be my favorite writer of all science bloggers. I think you are.
Of course, I was glad to hear you are going to escape alive, but that was in an altruistic way. In a selfish way I was a little disappointed. Now I can be unmitigated glad!
Yay! The end is in sight! I remember feeling like I was on top of the world by the time I graduated. It's a good feeling, isn't it!
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