Crossing the Finish Line for the Dissertation

Well, it's done.

All of the chapters of my dissertation have been published as papers in peer-reviewed journals.

It's been two years and four months since I submitted the final draft of my dissertation to my university, and wow, is it ever nice to finally lay the thing to rest. As a bit of a celebration, I wanted to pontificate share some musings on the whole process, and offer some hope for those who might be working on their dissertation right now. So, how did this all come to fruition? What did I do right (in my opinion), and what might I have done differently?

Start Early
Basically, I knew from the get-go that I didn't want to write one of those perpetually unpublished dissertations. You all know the ones I'm talking about. That really ground-breaking, highly citable, novel piece of research that's been sitting around completely unpublished since the person got his or her Ph.D. back in 1976. I can't really blame them - maybe they dropped out of the field. Maybe they decided research wasn't their thing. Maybe bigger and better projects happened along. These are all legitimate reasons (life happens!), but it doesn't make an unpublished dissertation any less annoying. As anyone in the field knows, journals (and reviewers) sometimes look askance at a reference listed as "unpublished thesis" or "unpublished dissertation."

So, I made a mental commitment early on to strive to get my dissertation published as quickly as possible. This was key in achieving the eventual goal.

Get Your Committee On Board
My dissertation committee wanted to see my stuff published, too. In fact, they specifically requested that I frame each of my dissertation chapters as discrete, publishable units. This was good advice. The days of creating a book-length narrative, which is retroactively turned into publishable manuscripts, are over. If you have the dissertation chapters framed as discrete, submission-ready papers, you can save a lot of time! This is a much more common practice than it used to be, which is a good thing (in my opinion).

So, before I had even finished writing the dissertation chapters, I had decided what journals I was going to submit to. Then, I formatted all of the figures, text, and references appropriately. This saved a ton of time in the end!

Git 'er Done
Once the dissertation is written, the congratulations received, and the diploma framed, the real work begins. Get those chapters submitted for publication. Take a week to rest on your laurels, and then get back to work. Every day you procrastinate is another opportunity to completely forget about submitting the papers for peer review. In fact, maybe even consider submitting some chapters before you graduate, if you can.

In the end, though, the only way I managed to get this done as quickly as I did (not that two years is that quick!) was to guilt-trip myself into doing it. Maybe that's what will work for you, too. And as I tell many people - don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Your work will never be perfect. There are always more data. There's always another specimen to measure. But at some point, you just have to call it "good enough."

Submit that paper. Because chances are, there's someone else out there who wants--perhaps even needs--to cite you. And I'm sure they would much rather cite a peer-reviewed paper than an unpublished (if excellent) dissertation or thesis. And for every day delayed, there's just another little way in which you have to revise the manuscript before submission. Science marches on, with or without us.

Regrets?
Not many, on my part. All in all, I'm happy with how my dissertation chapters have turned out. I might have had a few more figures in the ceratopsian one. Maybe a slightly longer discussion in the goat head FEM one. Perhaps I might have pushed to get the ZJLS paper published a little sooner. Oh well. They're done, they're published, and I can clear my plate for new projects.

Speaking of clearing plates, isn't it about time to relaunch the Paleo Paper Challenge?

Choosing a Graduate School V

So here we come to the end of the series. I could probably write 50,000 more posts on the topic, but everyone probably wants to get back to reviews of computer software, right? This post contains some miscellaneous tidbits.

Tests
The GRE's (Graduate Record Examination) are daunting, stressful, and absolutely necessary to get into graduate school in the United States. The test score is only one part of the whole application process, and different schools give different weight to the GRE's. If you nail the tests, you are in good shape. If not, don't necessarily despair. Consider retaking the exam. Perhaps discuss your score with someone at the program to which you are applying, to see how big of a deal the score actually is. Work on strengthening other aspects of your application. Consider looking at "fall back" schools, if most of your "schools of interest" place emphasis on the GRE. Also, investigate if you need to take a GRE subject exam - it's not usually necessary for geology programs (because a geology GRE just doesn't exist), but some (not necessarily all) biology programs might expect a score from the biology subject exam.

Scoping Out the Program
By all means, make contact with someone (or multiple someones) in a department before applying. The SVP meetings are a tremendous opportunity to chat with students and faculty from graduate programs. This personal contact is important for two reasons - first, it gives you a chance to learn more about the program and get a feel for the personality of the people there. Second, and just as important, is that it gives the program a chance to get to know you. Graduate schools get a whole pile of applicants, and it doesn't hurt if they have a face to go with a name. A second thing to consider is a campus visit. This is also important, but perhaps less essential at the early stages. Campus visits are probably the best way to make yourself known to the faculty, and also the best way to get a genuine feel for the place. But, they can be expensive (particularly if you have to travel a long ways) and may not be the best use of your time early in the game (unless you are really, really, really serious about a particular program). After acceptances are made (or sometimes just before), some schools (but not all) invite a few students out to visit (at the school's expense). If given an invite, by all means accept (but only if you are serious about the program). Finally, if you have been accepted at a program or multiple programs, you absolutely should visit the campus before making any decisions. Never, ever accept an offer sight-unseen (even if you have to pay your own way to visit).

Should You Apply?
For any student, it doesn't hurt to ask a department if they think you should apply. Sometimes you might advised against applying to a program, by a faculty member within this program. Give this sort of advice careful consideration. Sometimes a program might not have funding or space for students - you may have to be willing to wait a year before applying. If it's strictly a matter of money, find out about fellowships or other options that might allow you to apply anyhow. Sometimes, too, a department may end up taking students in the end anyhow (even if this stinks for the students who didn't apply because they were told otherwise). If you are dead-set on a program, it probably doesn't hurt to apply regardless (unless they are absolutely insistent on a lack of money or space). Occasionally, you might be told that you are not a good match for a program or an advisor. This might hurt, but this sort of honesty can save a lot of time and heartache in the long run. Find out why you are not a good match - sometimes it's a very simple issue or miscommunication. And, be aware that different faculty in a department might have different thoughts on the students they want in the department. Some are overly pessimistic, some are eternal optimists, and some just don't care. Every situation is different.

Final Thoughts
Graduate school is an exciting time, but choosing a program can be a daunting task (whether you're at the application or acceptance stage). Weigh all factors, and don't fall in love with the first program that sends an acceptance letter. First and foremost, do what is right for you! Listen to your gut instincts, and get as much information as you can. Be cautious, but open. Be honest, and be yourself. Talk to a trusted professor, or a graduate student, or a potential advisor. You're not in this on your own, and you'll find what's right for you!

Choosing a Graduate School IV

The final two posts in this series will give a short look at a handful of other important factors in choosing a grad school.

Location, Location, Location
Personal preference - city versus rural, or East Coast versus Rocky Mountains - is only one part of the importance of location. As a paleontology graduate student, you will get very specific benefits from the location depending on where you live. On the East Coast, you get the benefit of having a whole ton of major museums (AMNH, USNM, ROM, etc.) within an easy flight, drive or train ride (not that there aren't major museums out west - they're just more spread out). If you anticipate doing lots of museum-based research, this can be a handy perk. But, it comes at the cost of being far, far away from most vertebrate-containing outcrops. This is where the West Coast and Rocky Mountain states certainly have an advantage! The field may only be minutes away.

Department Size
A small department can be nice for an intimate feel, but you might lose out on opportunities for collaborations or advice that you might get in a larger department with more faculty and students. If you build contacts in other departments, however, you can overcome some of this disadvantage. Of course, some large departments can have the problem of each student being a little fish in a big pond.

The Right Timing
How long does it take students to finish? For a master's program, 2 years is typical and 3 years is the acceptable maximum. If students consistently take more than 3 years to finish a M.Sc., this can be a very bad sign - either bad advising, an unmotivated student body (avoid this sort of program like the plague!), or departmental politics. For a Ph.D., 5-7 years is typical (and even 8, sometimes). A 10 year Ph.D. program might be something to avoid, too. This is not to say that life circumstances (having a child, unexpected illness, or other event) won't sometimes add a year or two to graduate school, or that one or two students take an inordinate amount of time to finish - this happens, and the most important thing to consider is how long the typical student takes.

Job Prospects
After finishing graduate school, it's really nice to get a job. Find out the track record of graduates from a program, and find out what kind of jobs they end up in. Do these jobs mesh with what you're interested in? Does anyone actually get a job in paleo? Do the students drop off the face of the planet after graduation? If you're interested in a career in academia, but all of the students get jobs as collections managers or technicians, you might want to look elsewhere (and vice versa). If you want a job at a big R1 university, but most of the students that graduate from a program end up teaching at small liberal arts colleges, you should also be wary. But, also leave the option of your career goals changing through the course of graduate study!

Up next: Tests, Campus Visits, and Final Thoughts

Choosing a Graduate School III

Geology or Biology?
Paleontologists straddle two worlds. The fossils we study come from the ground, and this geological context is important for better understanding the prehistoric environment. Yet, we also need to understand the biology of the now-dead organisms - all of those protuberances used to define species are muscle scars, or neurovascular foramina, or *something* that once had soft tissue. Unfortunately, it's also difficult to be a "jack of all trades." Paleontology graduate programs typically are housed in geology, anatomy, or biology departments, and your choice in this matter will have huge ramifications.

Why Does the Department Matter?
In the simplest sense, the type of department will dictate the types of classes you take in graduate school. Don't count on getting the opportunity to take strat-sed in a biology program. In a broader sense, it will dictate the types of resources and faculty at your disposal. A geology department is far more likely to have access to good thin-section equipment, the toys needed for rare earth element analysis, and experts in taphonomy or sedimentology. By contrast, a biology or anatomy department will probably have more to offer for dissecting facilities, soft tissue histology equipment, and experts in anatomy or functional morphology. So, department focus will generally (but not always) offer opportunities and constraints unique to the discipline. As noted below, your training will also define the types of positions for which you can apply later on.

Help! I Don't Have a Background in [Biology / Geology]!
This depends completely on the school and the individual. I originally wrote off my current anatomy department, because I was coming from a geology undergrad program. I didn't think they would ever want or consider a student who didn't have many biology courses - yet, it has mattered very little in the long-run. There's really no adequate preparation for human gross anatomy (other than to just take the course)! For me, and many others, it's been no problem to make the jump from geology to biology. I know fewer who have gone the other way, but that's probably just a sampling bias. In any event, don't write off a program if you are truly interested! Many departments are willing and able to help you fill any gaps in your knowledge, and it's best to talk to someone in the program itself to find out their expectations.

Recommendations
The most important thing to consider in this regard is where you see yourself in 20 years. Both geology or biology backgrounds probably offer equal opportunity for entry into the museum world, but if you're chasing after university-level jobs, give this topic careful consideration. Do you want to be in a geology department? An anatomy department? An evolutionary biology department?

I have a strong personal bias towards anatomical paleontology (just to be upfront). When choosing a graduate school, I saw much better job prospects with a background in anatomy. I could find a home in a biology, anatomy, or even possibly geology department (if they were more interested in a paleontologist than a stratigrapher). Anatomy offers the option of landing a job at a medical school (teaching gross anatomy), or teaching anat-phys at a liberal arts school, or finding a museum job. The options seemed narrower, and the job market smaller, for geology. Additionally, my research interests (understanding dinosaurian anatomy and paleobiology) were much more appropriate for a biology or anatomy department - I didn't feel that I would necessarily get the resources that I needed in the (quite excellent otherwise) geology departments to which I applied. Finally, I felt like I wasn't constrained when it came down to the final job search. I was able to apply for anatomy, geology, and museum jobs (with some success). So, there are no regrets in my mind about the course of action I followed.

Ultimately, the decision is up to you. Readers: feel free to chime in with your own thoughts!

Up next: Miscellanea Part I - Location, Size, Timing, and Job Prospects

Choosing a Graduate School II

Even though you are ultimately responsible for your graduate education, having a good advisor certainly doesn't hurt! The qualities of a good advisor depend just as much on the student as on the professor - one student might flourish with a professor, while another might founder. So, choose carefully, and think about what you want to get out of the advisor-student relationship (and what your major professor will expect!).

"Big Names"
Many folks will choose an advisor based on his or her reputation - and this is certainly something to consider. A "famous" advisor may be able to open doors that wouldn't be available otherwise, in terms of contacts and opportunities. But, be careful - a famous scientist is not necessarily a good advisor. Be especially thoughtful about the other factors outlined below. . .

Advising Style
What sort of advisor do you want? Hands-on? Hands-off? Both kinds of advisors are out there, and both can be excellent - if your personality is matched to theirs. If you are a little less sure what you want to do, and if you feel like you'll need a little more guidance through your graduate career, a more hands-on advising style is probably appropriate. The "hands-on" style covers a whole range of styles - from weekly meetings and heavy guidance in choosing a project, to occasional reminders to provide manuscript drafts and dissertation outlines. A hands-off advisor won't beat down your door for constant progress reports, or nag you about dissertation progress. This is nice in that it might let you do your own thing - but it can be a double-edged sword if you need a little motivation now and then. And, will the hands-off advisor be there if you need him or her to read papers, write letters of recommendation, or offer career advice? Here, it's best to talk to other students of the advisor.

Research Topics
Many students (myself included) gave the research interests of their advisor some heavy consideration. It's certainly important - after all, you want to find someone who can give you the best guidance and feedback on your graduate research. But, this isn't necessarily hyper-critical. Many excellent paleontologists have trained under advisors who worked on completely different taxonomic groups or research techniques. And, you probably want to avoid becoming a clone of your advisor - this might make for a very smooth grad school experience (or not!), but it is critical to start developing skills as an independent researcher as soon as possible.

Other Options
Perhaps the most important piece of advice I can offer - don't just choose an advisor. Choose a department. By this, I mean look for a place where there are several people who might be potential advisors (even in the most informal sense). In a worst-case situation, it means that you have a back-up plan if your advisor leaves for another position or if you have personality conflicts (this does happen!). In the best case, it means you have that many more people with whom you can interact. Some of the best feedback I've gotten on my dissertation has been from the physical anthropologists in my department - and they've never touched a dinosaur in their lives! Yet, the fundamental questions are the same - and good science is always good science, no matter what the topic.

Up next: Geology or biology?

Choosing a Graduate School

It's that time of year, when graduate school acceptance letters are starting to go out. In an ideal world, you've received multiple acceptances - which school do you choose? I missed the boat on pontificating about writing a graduate school application, so this go-around I'm going to focus on a more timely topic (although some of these factors can certainly apply to writing the application or choosing schools in which you might be interested for further investigation). Based on my own experience and the experience of friends, this series of posts presents a few things to look for as you search for the "perfect" paleontology program. Note that it's based on the assumption that you are 1) in the North American university system; and 2) going to be a full-time student. Your own situation may be different and might require special consideration.

Do You Want to Do Graduate School?
Grad school doesn't pay well. You aren't guaranteed a job in paleontology at the end, and you will be over-qualified for many entry-level positions. You will have to be independent and self-motivated (particularly for Ph.D. students) in a way that you've never been before. You will have to make hard choices (although many do find a good balance) between research, classwork, and personal obligations (many relationships have been sorely tested for many people!). Don't do graduate school, particularly a Ph.D. program, just because everyone else you know is doing it, or because it's what your parents did, or because you don't know what else to do. If so, there are good odds that you will not have a pleasant experience. If you know beyond a doubt that you love research, that you can kick your own butt into gear (because your advisor won't do it for you), and that you love the challenge of a infrequently-trod path, graduate school might be for you!

Money
It's important, but money should never be the deal-maker or -breaker. First, you should never have to pay to go to graduate school (although some M.Sc. programs may be an exception). If the school isn't giving you a tuition scholarship at the very least, run away. If they aren't going to offer a fellowship, or teaching or research assistantship (no matter how poorly paying), think twice about how you're going to pay the rent. Find out how long you are guaranteed funding, and what the possibilities of getting additional funding are. But, also realize that you aren't going to be rich in graduate school. Talk to students in the programs to which you are applying - are the stipends enough to make ends meet? Is the health insurance sufficient? And in the end, realize this: Nearly every graduate student complains about how low the stipends are - but, we often forget that *we're getting paid to go to school* (even if not always a lot). Very, very few people are lucky enough to have this problem!

Stay tuned: Advisors and the like will be discussed in the next posting.