Okay, I admit it. I’m a bit of a geek. Or a nerd. Or more likely a combination of both. I love to gather knowledge, and practicing my trade feels a bit like playtime. To demonstrate just how geeky I am, I looked up the difference between the terms. Slackpropagation has a very interesting chart for the rest of you geeks out there.
I digressed.
Still working full-time, I am helping doctoral students progress a few baby steps forward toward achieving their Ph.D. This weekend’s intensive Dissertation Research Seminar was spent honing topics, research methods, theoretical foundations, sampling plans, ethical considerations, and more. Each time someone received an email saying their topic was endorsed, the entire room burst into applause.
They are forging ahead on dissertations about human trafficking, Special Operations fathers, equine-assisted therapy, transgendered youth, supervision of counselors experiencing vicarious trauma, and so many other very interesting research topics related to our field. It is encouraging to see people struggle through the process, and come out successful. Many of these students are first generation graduate learners, so it is quite an achievement. To know I had a small part in their success gives me pleasure.
Tomorrow’s final session consists of presentations, where thirteen learners will share what they have accomplished so far. Peers will be their audience, and feedback will be welcome as collaboration strengthens their research. We will all leave in our airplanes or cars to our respective homes, some in the U.S. and others overseas (one of my students flew in from Germany). The journey will take them one step closer to achieving their dream.
One day they will write up their findings and submit to a professional journal, or present at a national conference. Who knows, you may see their names on national television when they have become experts in their field.
Life goes on…are you living it?
À la prochaine (Until next time)…