In an early doctoral class, I encountered a book review assignment. One of the requirements for our book selection was that it be recently published, within the last two years, and in our “area of expertise.”
First question: Do I have an area of expertise?
Second question: Have I EVER had an area of expertise?
Takeaway #1: Embracing the Scholar
I’ve done lots of different things in my life and I’m really good at keeping multiple plates spinning at once, but expertise is not a word I claim. That said, I do have interests … lots of them … ideas, too. I enjoy research and the process of gathering and shaping said ideas into a form that brings me some delight and can even interest others. I really enjoyed our class discussions and listening to the mentor text presentations. Is this the beginning of a path towards specialization and academic expertise?
Besides being challenged to step up to the plate and claim an area of interest (not quite sure I’m there yet for “expertise”), I suppose one of the most memorable lessons of this class was being invited to think of myself as a scholar. It’s not that I’m so much falling victim to the “Imposter Syndrome” that Joli Jensen discussed in Write No Matter What —rather, I hadn’t really considered myself to have set foot on this scholarly path yet. I’m not sure what I was waiting for, but this class made me realize the need to get down in the dirt, figure out my focus, along with how my insights might be conveyed to others. So I held back a giggle as I wrote my “Biography;” I tamped down my perfectionist tendencies and ran up against multiple deadlines as I posted videos on my blog site. I even emailed and conversed with an author/scholar I admired to ask questions about one of her articles that I read and referenced both in my book review and literature review.
Does that make me a scholar? Perhaps so, at least I’m on the right path now. And while we’ve all heard that “Fake it ‘til you make it” admonition, I’m thinking that our work here in this class wasn’t fake at all. We’ve written potentially-publishable articles, maintained our own blogs, and communicated our research insights in various ways. I’ve been challenged in my thinking – even in how I think of myself – and that’s a good start.
Takeaway #2: Honesty is Everything
Ever had that feeling of pulling back the curtain only to be disappointed by reality? In the midst of the classwork, I really appreciated Dr Hunt’s honesty in sharing her accepted and not-accepted-yet articles. I was impressed with (blown away by) the Trello board and spreadsheets documenting her projects and ideas and progress. I learned from the responses both from you all on your blogs and from Dr Hunt’s individualized feedback. As a result, I felt like I got to know each of you just a little bit better, enough that there is now a lifeline extended to link us all together in this experience.
Sure, the curtain was pulled back to reveal the sometimes intimidating but potentially rewarding publishing process. But because of this class experience, we’re each walking away with a set of tools. And those tools just might come in handy when we’re wielding our pens and working the writing that we’ve since learned is our craft. With that in mind, maybe I will get going on my writing schedule after all. I’ll lace up my shoes and take a few more steps down that scholarly path. After all, there’s work to do, fellow scholars!
References
Jensen, J. (2017). Write no matter what: Advice for academics. The University of Chicago Press.
I agree with you that opening ourselves up through our blogs and having faculty who have taken a coach/ mentor role, sharing the “behind the curtain” elements of writing and academia in general were huge aspects of this course. This made a big difference in my feelings about the overall program for me. When I started my journey towards an Ed.D. in the Spring of 2020, I was looking forward to the lively discussions and community of learning. Then Spring Break came… I never had a real sense of community or feeling that I was more than a student taking classes until the past few semesters when we started back face to face. I have learned so much from all of the wonderful educators like yourself (who I consider to be the real experts!) and I am grateful for the supportive faculty members who realize that we are all working to be on the same level. I wish you the best and look forward to seeing you at your dissertation defense! – Jeritt
Yes! I’m glad to have been a part of that face-to-face community that collectively ushered you on to the next phase of your degree (last class? Woo-hoo!). I’ll be watching for your dissertation defense as well!
Rebecca
Rebecca,
I have enjoyed working with you in several classes over this past academic year and look forward to future collaboration. I feel like we came into the program at the perfect time. TCH 533, taught by an experienced and compassionate scholar, has given me hope for completing the program. By ‘pulling back the curtain’ Dr. Hunt has shown us that yes, this is hard and there are a variety of challenges, but we all experience that and we can all help each other.
I guess, in my naivete, I had always pictured universities as a collaborative and supportive academic community of scholars. Jensen’s book was the first indication that I might be wrong about that and it worried me. I am glad to see that we work with the support of our peers and our mentors. While it is still very challenging work, at least it isn’t lonely and isolating work!
I feel so fortunate to know you and work alongside you! Thanks for your organization, your comments, your teaching, and encouragement. I’ll look forward to our next class together! — Rebecca
Rebecca,
Your blog post resonated with me, particularly your discussion about expertise. As someone who is new to the program, I am only beginning to explore my interests and learn about the scholarship that already exists in my field. I appreciate your comment about giggling while you wrote your biography as that is something that I had difficulty with writing. I also appreciate your thoughts about learning more about the behind-the-scenes aspects of scholarly writing. It was nice meeting you in class and I hope to work with you in future courses.