So as we hit the mid-point of the month of December, I start thinking about what is less than a month away, and make final preparations for what will be ten great days in a great city working with some of the most talented people I know.
What is the same is the housing; we will be making our second stay at the Garfield Suites in Cincinnati. This is probably the best solution for going away and staying somewhere that doesn’t have a beach. Feels like a home away from home.
What is different this residency is that we are also having our classes at the same hotel where we are staying. To me this is a comfort–no coats, no boots, no snow, and no commute. It will be a relaxing situation.
What I am most excited about is the use of technology this time around. Sure, we have always had all the comforts of home (wireless access and Starbucks coffee), but this time I will be active in a technical matter. First, daily blog entries are planned (in some cases multiple daily blogs). Also we are going to experiment with some other technology.
The other item that I am excited about is the fact that I will be teaching a class back in Rochester with the use of technology. I am hoping that my master’s students are as excited as I am about me teaching them about “Leadership in the E-World.” The most exciting part here is that some of my colleagues will be teaching along with me and taking part in the action.
So much to still prepare…. Looking forward to our time together in a few short weeks and creating something special … again….
-j-
Monday, December 17, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Life of the Ph.D. Student
I have been away from the blog for a couple weeks while I get the time to take a deep breath and reflect on what a difficult semester this has been for me personally, and begin thinking about new ideas as to how I am going to tackle yet another semester of learning, running a business, being a faculty member, and trying to live a family life.
I am here to say it can be done. I was told that with a little flexibility and a lot of Starbucks coffee, anything is possible. I can attest that this is true.
Now just a couple more loose ends to tie up, with some classes and one class that needs a little more than just tying up. I will be 3/4th of the way done with the course work. Now if only I felt 100% sure of my dissertation topic.
Hopefully this time away will give me some of the fire back. Based on experience, I know that it will. It is like finishing a marathon; when you are done, you are not surprised since you knew that you had it in you, but you really feel more tired than excited about being finished.
Now it is time to get in line at the starting gate for the next five months of running… I hope to improve my time. The fact really is, at the end of the day, I will just be happy to get done and try to enjoy the run.
-j-
I am here to say it can be done. I was told that with a little flexibility and a lot of Starbucks coffee, anything is possible. I can attest that this is true.
Now just a couple more loose ends to tie up, with some classes and one class that needs a little more than just tying up. I will be 3/4th of the way done with the course work. Now if only I felt 100% sure of my dissertation topic.
Hopefully this time away will give me some of the fire back. Based on experience, I know that it will. It is like finishing a marathon; when you are done, you are not surprised since you knew that you had it in you, but you really feel more tired than excited about being finished.
Now it is time to get in line at the starting gate for the next five months of running… I hope to improve my time. The fact really is, at the end of the day, I will just be happy to get done and try to enjoy the run.
-j-
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Those Last Couple Miles
What a crazy week! Up early today to write some end-of-term papers and get a start on the day. So much to do and so little time to do it. Our cohort is close to finishing our third semester, and I am starting to feel as if there is in fact a way to balance life, work, and the PhD program.
Looking at our semester (five classes), I would have to say it has not been an easy ride. I have been reminded that the PhD is not a degree that will be easy. The rigorous standards are the journey that you are encouraged to embrace and enjoy. The challenges that I have faced this semester have helped prod me along to my dissertation topic in virtual leadership. Understanding that it takes some time to all fall into place, I am feeling better now about moving forward with this topic. Looking around me, I am starting to see the importance of this research and its “timing” on what is going on in society and our global community.
I must remember that it is a long race and pace is important. We are almost half way done with the program! Now the focus is on the end of the semester. Those last couple miles….that will be the challenge….
-j-
Looking at our semester (five classes), I would have to say it has not been an easy ride. I have been reminded that the PhD is not a degree that will be easy. The rigorous standards are the journey that you are encouraged to embrace and enjoy. The challenges that I have faced this semester have helped prod me along to my dissertation topic in virtual leadership. Understanding that it takes some time to all fall into place, I am feeling better now about moving forward with this topic. Looking around me, I am starting to see the importance of this research and its “timing” on what is going on in society and our global community.
I must remember that it is a long race and pace is important. We are almost half way done with the program! Now the focus is on the end of the semester. Those last couple miles….that will be the challenge….
-j-
Monday, November 12, 2007
Life of the Ph.D. Student
I have been away from the blog for a couple weeks while I get the time to take a deep breath and reflect on what a difficult semester this has been for me personally, and begin thinking about new ideas as to how I am going to tackle yet another semester of learning, running a business, being a faculty member, and trying to live a family life.
I am here to say it can be done. I was told that with a little flexibility and a lot of Starbucks coffee, anything is possible. I can attest that this is true.
Now just a couple more loose ends to tie up, with some classes and one class that needs a little more than just tying up. I will be 3/4th of the way done with the course work. Now if only I felt 100% sure of my dissertation topic.
Hopefully this time away will give me some of the fire back. Based on experience, I know that it will. It is like finishing a marathon; when you are done, you are not surprised since you knew that you had it in you, but you really feel more tired than excited about being finished.
Now it is time to get in line at the starting gate for the next five months of running… I hope to improve my time. The fact really is, at the end of the day, I will just be happy to get done and try to enjoy the run.
-j-
I am here to say it can be done. I was told that with a little flexibility and a lot of Starbucks coffee, anything is possible. I can attest that this is true.
Now just a couple more loose ends to tie up, with some classes and one class that needs a little more than just tying up. I will be 3/4th of the way done with the course work. Now if only I felt 100% sure of my dissertation topic.
Hopefully this time away will give me some of the fire back. Based on experience, I know that it will. It is like finishing a marathon; when you are done, you are not surprised since you knew that you had it in you, but you really feel more tired than excited about being finished.
Now it is time to get in line at the starting gate for the next five months of running… I hope to improve my time. The fact really is, at the end of the day, I will just be happy to get done and try to enjoy the run.
-j-
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Back to Reality
I am back in Rochester after a great trip to Vancouver for the International Leadership Conference.
It was a time to really reflect on the Ph.D. program and my dissertation topic of virtual leadership. I am very excited to say that there was the opportunity to meet with many different professionals and scholars who all have a similar interest in virtual leadership, and we were given the forum to really explore this area that has little history. I was even more excited to meet up with some other Ph.D. students from other institutions who I can now correspond with on the topic. This is exciting for me.
What really made the trip special was the dinner that we had on Friday night.
As a large group of 11, we were able to enjoy great conversation regarding UI&U. It was great to get to have conversations with my fellow learners, professors, administration, dean, and president all at the same table. This is what makes UI&U special for me.
I have circled the calendar for next year’s convention in Los Angeles.
-j-
It was a time to really reflect on the Ph.D. program and my dissertation topic of virtual leadership. I am very excited to say that there was the opportunity to meet with many different professionals and scholars who all have a similar interest in virtual leadership, and we were given the forum to really explore this area that has little history. I was even more excited to meet up with some other Ph.D. students from other institutions who I can now correspond with on the topic. This is exciting for me.
What really made the trip special was the dinner that we had on Friday night.
As a large group of 11, we were able to enjoy great conversation regarding UI&U. It was great to get to have conversations with my fellow learners, professors, administration, dean, and president all at the same table. This is what makes UI&U special for me.
I have circled the calendar for next year’s convention in Los Angeles.
-j-
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