Reflections of a Recent Graduate with Dr. Paul Shaw

Happy Doc Student Podcast

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In episode #112, I invite back Dr. Paul Shaw .Paul is a professional musician, who earned his Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Humanities and Culture and a certification in Creative Writing. His new book: The Women’s Music Movement: Music as Feminist Praxis 1973-1980, was published in 2023 by Brill Publishing.
Our previous conversation is here: #37 The Paul Shaw Story: From Jazz Musician to PhD (Part 1)

Highlights:

1. Community is essential for this journey – but what that community looks like may change based on your stage (taking courses versus writing your dissertation/doctoral project).

2. Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to a supportive network.

3. There is great value in both supporting someone and being supported during this journey (helping others remember their WHY and letting others have your back and remind you of your WHY is no small thing).

4. Consider attending your graduation and enjoy the ceremony of completing this massive goal.

5. Join (or start) a writing group in addition to your cohort community.

6. Writing is often a thorn in many doctoral students’ sides – What if you began your program with the frame of mind that improving your writing is one of the major tasks of a doctoral program?

7. Make friends with the revision process – it is only through multiple revisions that you learn how to create new information.

8. Tap into your inner curiosity because doctoral-level writing goes beyond book report-type writing (it must demonstrate to your faculty you can think at a higher level).

9. Trust the feedback you get from your faculty - their goal is to help you complete your degree.

10. Address feedback in a comprehensive way; at this level, revisions go beyond just making a few changes here and there (they can be massive and a change in one place may require a change in a place somewhere else).

11. Think about what’s coming, not only so you can plan, but so that you can connect the dots and see the big picture.

12. Get and stay organized - electronically for sure (and hard copies – if this fits with your personality/preferences).

13. If you are struggling, are you doing everything online in front of a blue screen? Consider printing out seminal articles and writing in the margins and/or taking notes in a journal (there is something to be said for the brain/hand connection).

14. Keep your default setting on DISCOVERY!

Dr. Kelly Olson Feedback Podcast: #18 How to Feel Good About Feedback with Dr. Kelly Stewart

Connect with Paul

FB and IG: Paul A. Shaw III

Website: https://www.Paulshawmusic.com

Get his book here: https://amzn.to/454iIM5
Book Paul references in this podcast: A Writer's

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