On what to do if you earned your PhD from a school on the periphery (or can you create your own halo effect?)
After posting how some schools offered positive halo effects for their graduates and others didn’t, I was asked how can you overcome the absence of a halo?
Tough question.
I’m not convinced that you ever completely do.
You will always have a degree from your PhD granting institution.
You will always know that people from ‘top schools’ had a leg up when they started their careers.
You will always work a little harder to earn recognition for the same accomplishments.
It’s tough - but I think - it’s true.
You can overcome the halo and pedigree issue - by hard work.
But, you never forget knowing that the academic world has a somewhat rigid hierarchy & that the climb was tougher for you than others.
So, recognizing that not having a halo can leave an indelible mark, what can you do to earn a seat at the table? & be recognized as an impactful scholar?
First, aim high.
Students at top schools are trained to target elite journals.
It’s where their mentors publish.
Students at other schools are trained to publish in an inclusive set of journals.
Their mentors are realistic.
I learned early that top journal pubs create a halo effect.
So I published as high as I could.
It doesn’t make you part of the club. It does help you overcome not being part of the club.
Second, volunteer.
Students from top schools gain access to networks, bc their advisors arrange entrée.
The rest of us have to earn it.
I reviewed, ran workshops, & more.
Do the service well.
Eventually, I was invited to serve in editorial roles & leadership roles.
The volunteer work amplified the credibility that came with publication.
To be clear, publication helped me earn leadership roles - leadership does not earn publications.
You can’t avoid doing the work.
Third, be kind.
Students from top schools might get away with being a jerk.
Usually their advisors nip that in the bud.
The rest of us have don’t have that degree of freedom.
Early on, I learned to be humble & kind.
It’s carried me a long way.
It helped build on the reputation that came with publication & leadership.
Fourth, stay involved.
Students at top schools meet people who give talks on their campuses.
You likely didn’t have that chance.
So show up to conferences & events.
You have to be available to meet people if you want to build a network.
Fifth, be confident.
Students from top schools learn confidence.
You should be too.
Never apologize for where you earned your degree.
You won’t belong with the ‘top school’ crowd until you act like it.
FWIW, I didn’t get that there was a pecking order when I applied for a PhD.
It goes with being from a family of humble origins - my dad was a first gen college graduate.
I’m proud to have finished my PhD and love being a Seminole!
And I'm proud of my work and my students!
So work hard and have fun!
You’ve earned it!
Best of luck!
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