Earning a PhD Degree

Personal, Institutional, and National Implications

Vernon R. Totanes Rizal Library Ateneo de Manila University 24 October 2013

Requirements for a PhD

Course work Written and/or oral comprehensive exam Thesis or dissertation (or equivalent) Public or private oral exam Publication/s Within a prescribed number of years

Requirements for a PhD

Course work Written and/or oral comprehensive exam Thesis or dissertation (or equivalent) Public or private oral exam Publication/s Within a prescribed number of years

Begin with the End in Mind

Nios story My story Implications
Personal Institutional National

How to apply

My Story
MLIS - 2004 Get a PhD while youre young. Ateneos requirements SLA B&F Travel Grant - 2005 University of Toronto Desire to be OFW Application, acceptance, oh no!

UofT
Start 2006 Why Canada? Why UofT? Not homesick Going home This damned thing End - 2012

Personal
Why you should NOT get a PhD Its lonely It takes a long time People will make fun of you Its a commitment Difficult or no relationships

Institutional
Why you SHOULD get a PhD Dr. Totanes Youre already doing research Job opportunities and promotions Requirement for chief librarians Prestige for institution

National
Why librarians SHOULD get a PhD Research Upgrade LIS education Prestige for the profession

Things to Consider
Why do you want a PhD? Local vs international LIS vs other fields Funding Not just reading, but writing Not just writing, but presenting Not just presenting, but defending

How to Apply
Canada
http://bit.ly/phdtoronto University of Toronto Faculty of Information

Singapore
http://bit.ly/phdsingapore Nanyang Technological University Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information Division of Information Studies

Tips
Talk, listen, write, network Choose adviser and committee wisely Look for support groups The best dissertation is a finished dissertation. Its not about brains. Its about who can finish.

Earning a PhD Degree

Personal, Institutional, and National Implications

Vernon R. Totanes Rizal Library Ateneo de Manila University 24 October 2013