The Family Finishes the Dissertation

Completing my dissertation was a momentous achievement, but I could not have done it without the support of my sweetheart—a project manager extraordinaire. We shared in the commitment to get it done. We celebrated each milestone and cursed the stalled days. But the motivation and management never wavered. Whenever I lost my momentum, to say that I was prodded to keep moving would be an understatement. And with the same zeal, I in turn prodded my Chair—who after I was finished, called me a “bully”! That comment never ceases to make us chuckle. I guess she had never before been “project managed” by a professional with 20+ years’ experience of moving projects to success. And yet, that is what it takes to finish: a relentless perseverance to stay on task with your timelines—and a family whose desire to finish is as great as your own. 

To those of you who are taking the step into doctoral studies, I highly encourage you to bring on your family as a key component of your staff—because it is the family that finishes the dissertation. And just in case you become too preoccupied with your degree completion and success, do not forget to say thank you to your family. 

Thank you, Sweetheart!