This is a fun take on how PhD progression occurs, mainly in Indian context (more specifically my grad institute), but I presume similarities may occur worldwide. This is in context of giving your ideas or discussing/arguing/contesting what the mentor suggests. (Take it with a pinch of salt).
Generally, it is 5 year duration here- mentors won't allow 4 years easily nor would you be able to complete the work in that time. Sometimes, even 6 or 7 years can pass by without you noticing.
So here are the Stages of the PhD progression-
1st year - You are naive and don't know what is good or not (scientific project wise). You work on all ideas of mentor even if they are trash. You don't know when to speak up.
2nd year- You have started to feel you should speak up against some of the (silly) ideas but don't know when. And whenever you do, you get trashed.
3rd year- Having had enough of side tracks, you get bold and start speaking at (against?) all (almost) ideas the boss suggests. Not knowing when to say what, you always argue (not good for getting a PhD in the long run).
4th year- You develop tact and know when to say what but its too late, the damage has been done last year. Now that you want a PhD, you try to play ball using the new found wisdom to just get it done. Adviser also realizes this and never fails to mention you need to do XYZ before you can graduate.
5th year- Both of you understand each other like husband and wife. No pretenses work. Conversations are less animated and most talking is done by body language only. Both are in "you don't kill me I won't kill you" mode. Mentor is sharp enough to know you can't take that risk anyway. Tries to get done a few things you were always avoiding but now can't refuse.
6th and 7th year- You are still here? Either you haven't seen it coming or(bad planning/tough project) or your mentor is plain greedy. Why hire a post doc when you can get the work done through a miserable student who will do anything to get a PhD. You think I don't have an idea what to do next, let's get anything done to graduate. You do almost everything you are asked of, and arguments are as much as in 1st year again.
Generally, it is 5 year duration here- mentors won't allow 4 years easily nor would you be able to complete the work in that time. Sometimes, even 6 or 7 years can pass by without you noticing.
So here are the Stages of the PhD progression-
1st year - You are naive and don't know what is good or not (scientific project wise). You work on all ideas of mentor even if they are trash. You don't know when to speak up.
2nd year- You have started to feel you should speak up against some of the (silly) ideas but don't know when. And whenever you do, you get trashed.
3rd year- Having had enough of side tracks, you get bold and start speaking at (against?) all (almost) ideas the boss suggests. Not knowing when to say what, you always argue (not good for getting a PhD in the long run).
4th year- You develop tact and know when to say what but its too late, the damage has been done last year. Now that you want a PhD, you try to play ball using the new found wisdom to just get it done. Adviser also realizes this and never fails to mention you need to do XYZ before you can graduate.
5th year- Both of you understand each other like husband and wife. No pretenses work. Conversations are less animated and most talking is done by body language only. Both are in "you don't kill me I won't kill you" mode. Mentor is sharp enough to know you can't take that risk anyway. Tries to get done a few things you were always avoiding but now can't refuse.
6th and 7th year- You are still here? Either you haven't seen it coming or(bad planning/tough project) or your mentor is plain greedy. Why hire a post doc when you can get the work done through a miserable student who will do anything to get a PhD. You think I don't have an idea what to do next, let's get anything done to graduate. You do almost everything you are asked of, and arguments are as much as in 1st year again.
I echo the 4th year second line strongly among many others.
ReplyDeleteHaha, nice! I am in the 4th year and the description is apt.
ReplyDelete