Reflection on the Dissertation Experience

Gerry Crete

By Gerry Crete

Unlike any other project, essay, poster, or presentation, the dissertation is both an academic and personal journey.  For me, this journey began at the start of my doctoral studies as I reflected on the privileges and challenges in my own life.  It occurred to me early in the program, that if I was to complete my coursework and dissertation in three years, that I would have to start gathering information and processing my thoughts straight away.

When I began the doctoral program, I was working as a school counselor and I researched the concept of school counselors as educational leaders.  As I reflected on the intersection of privilege and oppression in my life as a male, I discovered the work of scholars such as Jim O’Neil, Ron Levant, Chris Kilmartin, and Matt Englar-Carlson on men and masculinities.  This led me to consider the idea of how boys are socialized in schools and how counselors can collaborate with teachers to provide educational experiences that would help boys process their masculinity in positive ways.  In the meantime, I transitioned professionally from working as a school counselor to a marriage and family counselor.  I took classes in the Marriage and Family Therapy Certification program for my cognate requirements.  My professional and academic endeavors intersected once again and this time they centered on the issue of trauma, and in particular, the experience of childhood trauma and abuse by adult men as well as the vicarious trauma experienced by the partners of male survivors.  It was at this point that I discovered my real passion and three years of research into masculinities, counseling couples, and trauma work coalesced.

My advice for students in this program is to be open minded, flexible, and willing to take academic and personal risks in the pursuit of passion because this will provide motivation for a long and difficult but rewarding journey.  Start researching early and save articles and information into well organized files.  Learn to create annotated bibliographies and take notes on everything you read.  Reach out to other professionals in your field and be active in your professional associations.

I try very hard to prepare things early so I have lots of time to revise and rewrite.  For me this highlights the importance of time management.  I was fortunate enough to be able to block off time from work so that I could really pace myself.  I literally sat down with a calendar and planned out my time for writing.  The IRB process can be time consuming so make sure to begin that before or right after your prospectus defense.  I creatively used Twitter and Facebook to find participants. I also benefitted from staying connected with some of my cohort members for advice and moral support, working in a group with my major professor, and enlisting cohort members to be on my research team.  Once data is collected and you begin the findings/results sections, be prepared for multiple rounds of editing.  Also, stay connected with your academic advisor and check the graduate website months in advance for administrative forms that need to be submitted before you can defend your dissertation and before you can participate in the commencement ceremonies.  All of this is to say that this is a lengthy process with many hurdles, but the personal and professional rewards are worth it.

It also helps to have a supportive and understanding family!  It has been really important for me to exercise self care.  For me this means time at the gym, time to go for walks, eating right, and quality time with friends and family. I set a few personal goals related to physical fitness and spirituality that have actually helped me through the dissertation process.  Enjoy the journey!