Due to recently spending a lot of time in airports, I've been thinking how much the dissertation process mimics the air travel. 5 hours in Savannah's airport will do that to you J
Pilot = advisor
Flight attendants = committee
Delay = failed idea
Cancellation = thanks for playing!
Taxiing to the runway = approval of the idea, working toward the proposal
Taking off = proposing dissertation
Cruising altitude = data collection, writing up results
Landing = finishing draft of dissertation
Taxiing to gate = defending dissertation
Getting off the plane = successful defense!
Getting you bags & leaving the airport = graduation!
You're obviously hoping that your flight at ABD airport doesn't get delayed and runs smoothly. But often, flights get delayed (failed idea); although they don't get cancelled very often (remember the metaphor, not the reality of air travel lately). But once you leave the gate, it doesn't mean you'll take off right away. You may get parked on the tarmac or be 10th in line for takeoff (backlog of dissertation proposals/defenses for committee members). Sometimes you get the front of the line, but your pilot and flight attendants determine that you're not ready for takeoff, that you have a mechanical problem and have to go the hangar for repair (major revisions, may have to propose again). Repairs often take awhile, and your classmates seem to taking off without you.
You get back to the runway and your pilot and flight crew give you the go-ahead to finally take off (successful proposal). Once you reach cruising altitude, however, it is not always a smooth ride. Turbulence (such as having trouble recruiting subjects, getting wacky results) may cause you to hit your head repeatedly (on your desk). Somehow, the ride does smooth out (hopefully no emergency landings!) and you get ready to land with the first draft of dissertation. You may be on the ground, but you aren't nearly as close to the gate as you think you are. Taxiing to the gate may take a very long time (many revisions). You may even have to park on the tarmac if your pilot goes MIA.
When you do arrive at the gate (after you track down your pilot or find a new one), you have to stay on the plane for awhile while your pilot and flight attendants hurl pieces of carry-on luggage at you (questions; they hurt just as badly) at you before you can get out. Or you might not get to get out now (failed dissertation defense) – you might have to taxi to another gate first (defense #2). And it might take awhile. When you are allowed to exit the plane, you are welcomed into PhD airport. Yay, you're a doctor! But wait, not quite finished yet, before you pick up your bags, you have to make revisions and format your diss for publication. You get your checked bags (diploma!).
Where to now? Oh, crap…probably should decide where to go after leaving PhD airport…
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