11 Dec Mentor Memo – When things go terribly wrong

I took a course put together for GO-MAP ambassadors at the University of Washington this past quarter. One of our assignments was to write a Mentor Memo to help other grad students through the trials and tribulations of graduate school. I’ll admit, i stumbled blindly into graduate school ad have been surprised, shocked and completely un-prepared for this process. My mother completed high school at 16 and my father earned his degree(s) at night while holding down a full time job and raising two children. Their lives are markedly different, and their understanding of education is incredibly flavored by their drive toward bettering not just their lives, but the lives of their family, so this process has been a fascinating journey of accident and surprise.

I began writing my dissertation proposal in the Fall of 2009. Just as i was finishing my first NSF grant proposal (to be submitted by January 15), the earthquake happened in Haiti. I froze. It took another six months to completely re-configure my dissertation proposal. I then spent the following year applying for funding – and was turned down 8 times. I am now on my 3rd iteration, and although it is nothing like my first proposal, it is something that i happy with and really excited to pursue.

When we were given the assignment, it was a no brainer for me: What to do when things go terribly wrong. There is no instruction manual. My own advisor, Katharyne Mitchell was poised to go to China to do her field research, just when Tianamen Square happened. Another colleague had to contend with civil war breaking out in her research site, just as her NSF approval came through. She had to write in a contingency plan. It happens – experiments fail, research sites become unstable, natural disasters happen. This is what i turned in:

When things go terribly wrong

Events happen. Very big events happen. Just like life, research plans don’t always pan out exactly as you expect. Your research site may become inaccessible due to a civil war breaking out, or a major natural disaster. Or your research project may simply not work, or an experiment might fail. These obstacles are an integral part of being a researcher, and while they can be very disappointing, they can also be great learning opportunities, if you let them.

Don’t panic!

It’s okay to be upset. In fact, it’s natural to be disappointed when your carefully laid plans, sometimes of several years, don’t pan out quite like you’d prepared. But don’t panic! Take a few days to recuperate from the shock, then get back to work. Oftentimes, what emerges from the wreckage is equally, if not more, exciting and viable than your original plan.

Don’t put yourself in harm’s way

It may be tempting to try to move ahead with a research project, even if the research site has become unstable or the project dangerous.  Remember, this is just the beginning of your research career! You will have plenty of opportunity to revisit your project or to come up with new ones. It is not worth putting yourself in harm’s way for your first project – no matter how married to it you are.

Get back on track

Because your research plans or degree trajectory might be tied to funding or time restrictions, it is important to regroup and get back to work quickly.

• Talk to your advisor as soon as possible about the conundrum – he or she will have been through something similar before and can help you lay out a plan of action for moving forward
• Immediately set about figuring out what can be salvaged – while a research site or project may no longer be viable, other forms of research might be able to help answer at least part of your original research question
• Create a timeline for when your new project proposal will materialize – give it to your adviser so that he or she can help you stay on track

Don’t try to rush

Although you might be on a timeline that requires quick action and planning, don’t jump into the next project out of desperation. You will be working on your new project for at least another year, if not for another 10 years – so be sure you are passionate about it! Remember, the degree is not just an end goal – it and your research are a stepping stone into your future.

Lean on your friends and colleagues

As graduate students, we often work (and work through things) alone. Don’t feel like you have to do this alone! Turn to your friends and colleagues as you work through your new project proposal. They will have invaluable insights and suggestions. They will already know your interest areas and will not be as emotionally invested in your project as you are – often times giving them a much clearer sense of how to being to think about moving forward.

They will also be able to offer the kind of sympathy that can only come from those who are working toward the same kinds of goals. Being part of a graduate community is being a part of both the triumphs and the difficulties, and sharing the load will make the recovery that much easier.