Twenty years ago, about now, MIS Quarterly accepted my submission. It was my first major paper.
When I first presented the paper, a #seniorfacultymember told me it was the worst paper that he'd ever seen.
Only after an intervention by a #juniorfacultymember & my #coauthor coaxed me off the edge of a cliff, did I settle down, revise the paper, and submit it.
Only after a #deskrevision, because I forgot to include a table, did the paper go out for peer review.
Only after four #revisions, as I was moving to my new job, did the paper get #accepted.
I'll never forget the elation, explaining to my then partner what a huge deal it was, & the congratulatory note from my committee member that declared me "part of the club!"
I'll also never forget the lessons learned from that #peerreview process.
First, confidence.
My degree was not from a top school in the field. That my work had found its way in a top journal conferred confidence that I could compete with academic elites.
That confidence provided a foundation for submitting the next paper and the next.
Second, goals.
My first #MISQuarterly took me from seeking any publication to seeking top publications.
That paper taught me to aim high. I start every project with the goal of an MIS Quarterly publication.
That goal forces me to write better papers.
Third, realism.
As a student reading papers, I assumed the peer review process was straightforward. As an early-career author, I learned that straightforward process is challenging.
That #realisticcareerpreview made me robust to the rigor and length of the peer-review process.
Fourth, collaboration.
I learned how to iterate on papers, methods, and roles through multiple rounds of review. This takes more than mechanical skills; it takes patience and optimism.
That collaborative mindset has made me a better #author.
Fifth, reputation.
My first publication was in a well-regarded regional journal. No one talked to me about it.
My MIS Quarterly publication was commented on for years. Many people talked to me about it.
I learned that where you publish matters.
Sixth, hard work.
Yes, there is some luck in a top publication. There is more effort.
After my next paper was rejected, I recognized that hard work was essential to academic life.
Finally, gratitude.
I learned to be thankful for #mentors, #reviewers, and #editors.
Each had shared harsh feedback along the way. Each had offered paths forward. Each contributed to my career's positive trajectory.
I remain grateful to Pamela Perrewe for taking the time to mentor an out-of-discipline student.
Twenty years later, I still benefit from the confidence, the realism, the work ethic, and the gratitude conferred by earning a first "big" journal hit.
I hope all early-career people have an opportunity to learn the same lessons. To do so, you have to submit - so please do!
Best of luck with your journal submissions!
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jason-thatcher-0329764_seniorfacultymember-juniorfacultymember-coauthor-activity-6944422204365291520-xR4Y?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web
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