On December 1, 2008 I blogged about my doctoral dreams and how I plan to apply for programs starting on December 1, 2009 — my “PhD-Day.” I also featured photos and a video of a graffiti-laden delivery truck on which the letters “P-H-D” are spray painted on the roll-top door. I have decided to call this truck the “PhD-Mobile” (like “Batmobile” but for academics).
I have intermittently encountered the “PhD-Mobile” and interpret it as a sign that pursuing a doctorate is the right path for me. I started seeing this truck in March 2008 when I was driving to and from the DeVry Center in Bakersfield, CA where I have been an adjunct professor since October 2007.
I am sure these letters are just some tagger’s initials, but to me they represents my dream of earning a PhD by studying the impact of social media on the management and marketing of knowledge (possibly with a focus in the health care industry).
With regard to that process, I am now evaluating disciplines in which to conduct my research. The leading contender is Communication, although Marketing and Information Science remain possibilities. You can track my progress in my PhD-Day Diary.
After a long period during which I did not see the “PhD-Mobile” I saw it again during the morning of February 24, 2009! I happened upon it while driving on Interstate 5 North (near Pyramid Lake) from my home in Santa Clarita, CA to DeVry University (as has been the case in the past).
Here’s a video of the truck (in slow motion and intentionally without sound):
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A photo of the same truck follows. Note that the truck was driving so slowly in order to get this picture (after initially getting the video, above) I had to exit Interstate 5 at Pyramid Lake, wait for approximately five minutes and then, once I saw the truck pass by, re-enter the freeway.
The timing of the sighting was auspicious as it was two days after my birthday and right after I had been evaluating my options. I had also taken a practice GRE on Sunday (my actual birthday) so my mind was very pre-occupied with thoughts related to the doctorate.
I guess this was a reminder that I am headed in the right direction!
Good luck! I’ve had my Ph.D. for 21 years and have been teaching for 26 years (started when I was ten!) It’s a great career choice.
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Good luck with your goal! It is a good one to have! Sounds like you are seeing all the right signs! Communication is an interesting field form new media related stuff. I’m not too sure what you’re interested in, so I can’t really say if it is the right area for you. I would say it likely depends where you go. Pick the right school when applying, there is nothing more important.
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Hi Delaney,
Thanks for the words of encouragement and for revealing your amazing academic abilities (or is it time traveling capabilities?!). In what discipline is your PhD and from which school did you earn it (I have an idea for a podcast feature on this blog and might want to interview you to document your experiences as a doctoral student and obtain any advice for current doctorate seekers). I might also want to ask you some questions for a possible book on HR and the Law I might be endeavoring to write soon. Really glad to have found you on Twitter!
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Hi Matt,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. After reviewing your blog it seems we have some similar interests. Of course, my path to a doctorate has been a bit more indirect than yours, though I feel the journey I took to get to this point gives me a unique framework through which I can understand, evaluate and implement the curriculum. I am hoping the admissions committees feel the same way!
Regarding my research interests, I’ve explained my intent in two different, but similar ways: 1.) to understand the impact of social media on the creation and distribution of information, and 2.) to understand the impact of social media on the management and marketing of knowledge.
The first has more of a journalism or communication flair to it and the second is more business or organizational communication related. Both angles are representative of my interest and experience. But both statements capture my desire to investigate the process by which people engage, communicate and learn with technology. I am also concerned with the effect of this technology on the culture in which it is used.
At the moment my top two schools are USC (Annenberg School for Communication) and UC Santa Barbara (my undergraduate alma mater). For a multitude of reasons USC is my top choice right now and I am making inroads with the faculty and administration. I have also connected with a recent graduate and a recently admitted student there for perspective. Likewise, I have developed a great relationship with a current PhD student at UCSB who has helped me to understand my options there.
On December 1, 2008 I declared that December 1, 2009 would be my “PhD-Day” as that is the date on which the USC application is due (UCSB is a short time later). Ever since making this proclamation wheels have started to turn and I definitely feel positive momentum. On some levels the fact that I have nine months left feels like a lifetime and other days it feels like the clock is ticking ever faster. Either way, I feel very motivated and focused.
How do you like your program?
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