Life After Your Doctorate
I remember back to the days when I was spending every free moment reading, writing, editing, and doing everything possible to finish my dissertation. I had to tell so many people, “sorry, I can’t make it to that event” or “no, I can’t go to dinner because I have to write this weekend.” I felt like I sat at work all day looking at a computer, went home, ate dinner, and then sat in my home office all night looking at a computer; my brain (and eyeballs!) were so tired! I would dream of the day I’d finally be done and think of all the relaxing I would be doing, and all the time I’d have back.
On March 8, 2019, I defended my dissertation (with just a few edits) and was officially finished with my doctoral program. I celebrated with my family and close friends that night, having prosecco and a delicious dinner, and welcoming the cards and cheers of “Congrats, Dr. Sage!” The next day I boarded a plane to a conference I had planned on attending for some time and started thinking about some of the things I wanted to do now that I had completed my doctorate. As the Assistant Dean of Students at a small, private college, I did not necessarily need to do anything, nor did I need this degree at this stage of my career. Still, I knew I needed to plan ahead for the future and that I wanted to keep writing while I was already in the routine of it. I thought about the things I wanted to do: publish my work, perhaps continue my research, work with colleagues to publish – the possibilities were endless. While at the conference I attended a session about the various ways to publish, and I was excited and ready to do just that.
Seven months later, I’m writing this blog and I have not published (or even submitted anything to be published), I have not continued research, and I have not discussed publishing with colleagues either. What I did do was go on an amazing vacation to Arizona, spent time with my friends and family, read books for fun, went to the beach, took weekend trips, took more naps, and did a lot of other things I wasn’t able to do while in my program. I got engaged, I adopted a dog, and I’m planning a wedding. I did start to turn my dissertation into a manuscript to be published, but other things came up, and it became less important in the grand scheme of things.
When I think about my progress and what I’ve done since defending in March, I have mixed feelings. I feel joyful and grateful that I’ve been able to spend time doing things I want to do, and glad that I’ve been able to give time back to people I wasn’t able to give it to throughout my program. I feel relaxed, rested, and like I finally have my life back.
I also feel disappointed that I hadn’t met my goals in the same way I did when I was in my doctoral program. I was one of the first in my cohort to defend, and I stayed on task and completed my research and writing very quickly, which I was so proud of. Yet with more freedom and no due dates, I’ve found myself getting off track much more easily, and less motivated to check the items off my to-do list. I also feel a lost on how to move forward. There is no “how to” for how to get published, and no dissertation chair or dissertation coach to check in with me or give me feedback. I’m on my own now, and although I’m a self-starter and incredibly motivated, it’s much more difficult than it was in a doctoral program.
This past weekend I was at a conference and spoke to a few colleagues who finished their doctoral work before me – people I consider to be scholarly role models. Many asked if I had published yet, and while no one was condescending and everyone was supportive, many urged me to get it done now, while it’s still fresh in my mind and while I still have the energy to do it. I know they’re right, and hearing those words of encouragement helped; I hope to get this manuscript done (with the help of a few friends and also Dissertation by Design’s own Jessica Parker) by the new year.
So what is life like after your dissertation is complete? I’m sure it’s different for everyone. For me, it has been mostly relaxing and rejuvenating with a side of “get your work published” guilt. It is also rewarding to see the “Ed.D” after my name in my email signature at work, and it continues to be the best feeling in the world to hear people call me “Dr. Meagan Sage.” I’ll keep pushing to get my research published, but for now, I think I’ll go catch up on This Is Us – it’s all about the balance, right?