Thriving During Your PhD

In our latest episode of the Psychology of Business podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Vanessa Hills, who recently completed her PhD in Organizational Change Leadership at Western Michigan University. Dr. Hills joins me to share her journey, the challenges she faced, and how she managed to thrive despite the demands of a rigorous doctoral program.

Why Pursue a PhD in Organizational Change Leadership?

Dr. Hills opens up about her decision to pursue a PhD in Organizational Change Leadership, a relatively unique field within business studies. With her background in consulting and communication, she found herself drawn to understanding the dynamics of change within organizations. This episode dives into why Dr. Hills chose this path, the career opportunities it offers, and what makes it such a rewarding yet challenging field to study.

Balancing Work, Life, and a PhD Program

One of the biggest challenges for many PhD students is balancing academic work with life outside the program. Dr. Hills discusses how she managed full-time work while tackling coursework, research, and eventually her dissertation. We explore her strategies for staying organized, finding motivation, and maintaining a support system to handle the demanding workload.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt

Imposter syndrome is a common experience among PhD students, especially during the transition from coursework to original research. Dr. Hills shares candidly about her struggles with self-doubt and how she learned to cope with the feeling of not measuring up. Her tips on handling imposter syndrome are not only relatable but practical for anyone facing similar challenges in academia or their career.

Finding Purpose and Passion in Research

A key part of any doctoral journey is finding a research topic that fuels your passion. For Dr. Hills, this meant a mid-program shift that was both daunting and necessary. We discuss her approach to narrowing down her research focus and how she found purpose in a new topic. Her experience offers valuable insights for anyone feeling uncertain about their research direction or in need of inspiration to keep going.

Advice for Thriving in a PhD Program

Dr. Hills wraps up the episode with advice for current and prospective PhD students. She emphasizes the importance of defining clear goals, building a strong academic community, and staying engaged with your research interests. Her journey demonstrates that, while the PhD path is filled with challenges, it also offers tremendous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Whether you're considering a PhD, are already in the thick of it, or simply curious about the process, this episode provides a rich look at what it takes to succeed and thrive in a doctoral program.

*This article was written with the assistance of ChatGPT 4o based on the transcript of the interview.