Image Description The image displays the book鈥檚 cover alongside an example of the mapping exercise included within the book. In the 鈥淢y People鈥 section of the chart, the letters A, M, and S appear. These represent Allies, Mentors, and Sponsors respectively.
The transition from a master's to a PhD is one that many graduate students experience, but it often comes with a shift in both structure and emotional landscape. While master's programs are typically structured, with classmates working through similar assignments and coursework together, the PhD journey is often much more solitary. As someone who has navigated both stages, I can say that the sense of camaraderie and shared experience in a master's program is replaced by a more independent, sometimes isolating path during doctoral studies. This is where Dr. Leela Viswanathan's book, The Deliberate Doctorate: A Values-Focused Journey to Your PhD, becomes such a valuable companion. It offers an honest and uplifting guide to using personal values as a compass throughout the doctoral journey, helping students navigate both academic and personal challenges with intention. Below is a personal reflection on its core insights and practical relevance for anyone considering or currently pursuing a PhD.
Anchoring the Doctorate in Values
Dr. Viswanathan emphasizes the importance of staying connected to your core values as you move through the unpredictable landscape of doctoral studies. Her reflections on her own PhD experiences resonated deeply with me. There were moments in my own journey when I felt adrift, unsure of my direction or purpose. The book reminded me to pause and reconnect with what truly matters to me whether that鈥檚 curiosity, integrity, or a commitment to making a difference. By anchoring my decisions in these values, I found it easier to maintain motivation and integrity, even when faced with adversity or ambiguity in academic life.
Cultivating Deliberate Practice
The book draws inspiration from the concept of "deliberate practice," encouraging readers to approach their research and skill development with intentional, targeted effort. This means setting clear goals, seeking targeted feedback, and embracing challenges as opportunities to refine expertise. For me, this approach transformed how I viewed my research. Instead of simply going through the motions, I began to see each project as a chance to grow and improve. This mindful, skills-oriented approach not only facilitated academic growth but also brought sustained satisfaction throughout my PhD.
Building Career and Community
The book also recognizes that the PhD is just one part of a broader professional and personal journey. It encourages doctoral students to foster supportive communities, seek mentorship, and align career choices with long-term passions and strengths rather than simply following external expectations or fleeting opportunities. Personally, I believe this section is most important from the start, because building a network is a slow process and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. For instance, through many professional events at Queen鈥檚, I was able to connect with doctoral peers in other departments and bond with them, even though our research interests were different. The common thread was our shared struggle and scientific thinking. Another way of looking at this is for job opportunities; down the line, we all need to be part of a working community, and getting to know what comes next is effective. The image here is from the book where the author suggests mapping networks, which is an efficient way to do it.
In summary, The Deliberate Doctorate stands out for its values-based, reflective approach, offering tools not just for academic success but for a fulfilling doctoral experience and meaningful post-PhD career. It鈥檚 a guide that speaks to the heart of the doctoral journey, reminding us that our values and connections are as important as our research.