Seven tells that you need to change dissertation advisors.

After a recent post, I was asked to comment on bad advisors. This is a tough ask - because I worked with a couple of advisors - some better than others. I do not want anything I post inferred as being mean about one of them. I appreciate how my advisors shaped me - no matter how painful it was at the time - I'm better for the experiences. However, you may need to find a new advisor - to save your sanity. I was reminded of this, over lunch, by a friend who had changed advisors & who felt like they could breathe for the first time in years, when finally completely out of the relationship. And as much as I love my advisors, I was reminded of how much better I felt, when I had an advisor who wanted to help me graduate. So how do you know? Its time for a change? First, you are not growing as a scholar. Your advisor's job is to prepare you to conduct original research. You should periodically stop & assess whether that is actually occurring. If you are not building research skills, ask why? If the issue is not you, assess your relationships. Second, your conversations are acrimonious. If you leave each meeting angry, it is a telling sign that the relationship is broken. If you feel the conversations are about you, then take a step back & consider alternatives. Third, you are forced to do non-scholarly work. If your advisor asks you to mow the lawn, pick up laundry, or park their car (this really happens), you may have a problem. If you feel you can't say no, you need to actively question if this is a good relationship. Fourth, your advisor does not speak well of you in meetings. If you learn your advisor tells faculty are your home institution or further away that you are a problem student or lacking in talent, it is time to look for a new advisor. Even if grumpy, your advisor should publicly represent you well. Fifth, your advisor does not help you progress. If you find that you are far off the schedule to graduate, & your advisor has said nothing, perhaps it is time to look for a new advisor. Sixth, your advisor uses you. Advisor-student relationships should be symbiotic - with both benefitting from working together. If you feel your advisor is taking far more than they give, esp. demanding upaid work, carefully consider if you want to persist in the relationship. Seventh, your advisor ignores you. Advisors should respond to your messages - esp. if nudged. If your advisor ignores your messages, consider an alternative. If one, some, or all seven tells are present, take time to understand how to change advisors & think through the implications of change. Then schedule a conversation to discuss your concerns. If you & your advisor can not find common ground, it is time to step back & look for a new advisor. Switching advisors is not a trivial act, so take time to do it with care. More on how to change tomorrow. Best of luck. #mentoring #phd #phdadvisor

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