Hi friends,
I write to you on the day after my graduation! I didn't realize how much had happened since my last post so let me update you:
On July 9th: I submitted my thesis to my committee--that was the longest part of this whole process. It took me about 1.5 months to complete this draft. One thing that helped was that I had up to 25 people help copyedit the text for typos. Some were scientists and non-scientists, and they all helped me! Special shot out to Brunsli! Thanks everyone. I also used Cashboard to keep track of time while I wrote each day. It was really helpful and made me realize that 5-6 hours of writing(0nly) is really a lot of work because that was a full day of work! I have a new respect for lawyers who may log 7-8 hours a day! They work hard! My unrequested advice: Start early an just do it!
On July 16th: I successfully defended my thesis! It was so weird because I'd been waiting for this day for so long and it just came and went so fast! This and the next day, where one of the happiest days of my life! I was so stressed and tensed up until my committee chair said those words, "Congratulations Doctor!" I felt so free, it was the best!
On Aug. 3: I submitted my thesis to the library. I made edits recommended by my committee, by the library and continued to get rid of typos! I have to say that completing the thesis is the longest form of labor that you will ever go through. I felt like I was having a baby for 2 months! After their final review, I only had to change the page numbers on my "List of Figures" page. Whew! After that, they ok'd me for graduation!
And yesterday, Friday, August 28th, 2009, I received my Ph. D. in Pathology and officially became Dr. Chi (: My entire family came to celebrate (Mom, Dad, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, their husbands and children my boyfriend John and friends throughout my life). I had a reception afterwards and just celebrated! I have to thank God for trusting me and enabling me to pull this off. I can't believe it but I am a Dr.! Yaaaaayyyy!
So I'm sure you're asking, "What now?" Well, the future is wide open. While I'm interested in the study of Epigenetics, I've come to realize that benchwork is not in my future. So while I pursue postdocs in Epigenetics, I'm also applying for fellowships in Science communication and journalism as well as Science Policy. We'll see, I'm back so now I can keep you up to date!
Cheers!
Dr. Chi (:
