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 (:
17 comments:
Congratulations, Doctor!!!! Woot woot!!! I'm so excited for you!! I bet you could tell by my overuse of exclamation points, huh?
I can't wait for that blessed day when I'll join your ranks. I imagine it'll be like holding your breath for years and finally being told to exhale. This will serve as my inspiration to keep on plugging away. Thanks for sharing and congrats again :)
Congratulations to the highest power! This is absolutely wonderful news, and I shared it with my teenage son to let him see IT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED! I am so happy and proud of you Dr. Chi!
Congratulations!!!
Yay!!!!!!
(It's hard to express what a monumental accomplishment this is, so just imahige that that "Yay" is written in 5235-point font.)
Wow! What a wonderful accomplishment. Congratulations to you. I'll be keeping my eyes on the news 'cause I believe we may be seeing more of you in the future.
WHOA!! Congratulations Dr. Chi-Chi! May the blessings fo the Lord that maketh rich and add no sorrow follow you! I will be joining you in 2011!
Cheers!
Congratulations!!! I am too excited for you and you look so good in that PhD cap and gown!
u just got your Ph.D all while looking fly so what are you going to do next... lol Congrats my sista its good to hear of more and more women of color getting the all mighty Ph.D and doing the damn thang! Get em"
We've never met but I am a fellow recent Chicagoan working towards my doctorate in medicine. I am so ectatic about your accomplishment! And I'm even more impressed that you will continue on w/your postdoc. I'm inspired!
Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS!!
hey chi-chi, congrats! just like you, i am nigerian with a phd in pathology and explored life beyond the lab bench. i have locs too! it would be great to get in touch with you. if you'd like, you can email me at crystal (_) vase (AT) yahoo (DOT) com.
CONGRATS!!!!
Hey lady, Congrats!
I hope you are doing fine. Don't be a stranger.
Take Care~
im so proud of you! i remember that process for my Masters in Physiology and it was nerve wracking-anything can happen in that defense! You are so lucky you had editors helping you! lol! I think I wrote for a year, my parents didnt eve believe I was really in 'school'.....gurrrrrll...I applaud you! Pathology is wide open and waiting for you!
chele
congrats girl. u brought back memories of when i worked on my thesis for immunology/physiology. the defense was grueling and the writing-yes grueling, amazing that it continue wayyyy after the defense. my parents didnt even believe i was in grad school, they thought i was fibbin! lol! congrats Dr. im sure you are off to a promising career!
Congratulations Dr. Chi!!!!!!!!!!!
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