What should I expect when I go on the road with my dissertation?

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Main PageResearchWhat should I expect when I go on the road with my dissertation?

I was asked to share some thoughts on what to expect when you go on the road. So, I'll kick off a list that others can add to. ~Drake

10 things to expect when you take your dissertation on the road:

  • Expect that at least one your flights will be canceled.
  • Expect to need multiple copies of your presentation in various locations. Particularly if your laptop is stolen in the airport on your way to an interview and the copy on your jump drive is out-dated. Can you say Kinkos at mid-night? True story.
  • Expect to be asked questions that you have never thought about before, but can’t explain why you didn’t think about them.
  • Expect to try and anticipate every possible workshop question, but then to hear none of the ones you anticipated.
  • Expect to talk about BYU and the PhD prep track, even if you didn’t go through the PhD prep track.
  • Expect to float a lot of cash on credit cards. Reimbursement, in some cases, takes months.
  • Expect to not have much of an appetite at lunch (many workshops start right after lunch). Don't order a bacon-burger.
  • Don’t expect to be very effective on your other projects.
  • Expect to need Advil, or Tylenol. Pepto for sure.