Kicking off my unPhD

Paige Hewlett

June 5, 2024

unPhD

"After spending more time researching a variety of academic programs in organizational behavior, development, and similar fields, the allure of a credential certifying me as an expert is there, but much more faintly."

After spending more time researching a variety of academic programs in organizational behavior, development, and similar fields, the allure of a credential certifying me as an expert is there, but much more faintly.

Based on the type of work I am interested in doing, my current time/plate capacity, and a variety of other features, I have decided to spend time expanding my knowledge and skillsets differently.

Using a calendar year format, my unPhD will follow a traditional 4 quarter annual cycle and include specific themes or areas of interest. Academic programs typically focus the first two years on research, coursework, and field relevant study, before spending time in more self-directed capacity focused on dissertation research and preparation.

Q1 is focused on gathering the relevant body of research, including books, reference articles, and subject matter experts. Based on the research performed in Q1, I will develop a statement of purpose to guide the research process based on my goals, objectives, and key results. As these items evolve and shift, the research and programming will likely iterate as well.

Specific deliverables will vary, but include articles or written content, digital resources, and podcast discussions. I’ll be sharing the updates through articles on my personal blog.

To the library, so to speak!