Some Big Life Changes

silver_pilate

silver_pilate

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
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I wanted to let you guys know some changes that are in the works in my life. As some of you know, I am a neuro-specialized Physical Therapist working in an out-patient clinic. In February while at a professional conference in Vegas, I happened to run into one of my old PT school professors who is now director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He let me know at that time of the possibility of a position coming open on the faculty of the school and asked if I may be interested in applying. I asked him to keep me informed and told him I would think on it.

As it turned out, I got a call about a month ago, and he suggested we get together over lunch. I spoke with him and another former professor who's head of the Allied Health program and decided I would throw my name in the hat. After a few weeks of preparation, I interviewed this past Friday: a full 9-5 event with faculty/staff interviews, director's interview, HR meeting, and I gave a 40 minute presentation and answered questions on a topic of my choice (I presented over Parkinson's disease).

Well, I got a call today and was offered the position. It's a full time faculty position teaching at the DPT program at Texas Tech University HSC with eventual tenure track. I'll be teaching primarily labs at first, general and patient handling skills, neuro labs, and guest lecturing in a number of classes. As I get settled in, I'll take over more lecturing and lab roles as appropriate. This is a great opportunity for myself and my young family with more flexible schedules, a full career opportunity, and a bigger financial buffer against hard times. However, it will mean a great deal more work for myself in the short term continuing on for the first several years. Also, after about 2 years, I'll have to start work on my PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences while teaching full time as well. The perk is that Texas Tech drops the dime for the doctorate. ;)

Anyway, I wanted to share this with everyone and let you know that I probably won't have as much time on the boards as I would like, and I definitely won't have as much time in the shop for the near future. :( Happy knife making to everyone here, and I'll be seeing you around!

--nathan
 
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Welcome.

As a fellow professor - it will be one of the most rewarding times in your life.

When they 'get it' it is like magic.

TF
 
This is much too good an opportunity to miss.

Congratulations ... now, get out there and get 'er done.:)
 
Congrats......... Be very careful getting that PhD. It sometimes changes people. Lots of hard work and much, much research.

An old College President once told me that it takes about 6 years to get a PhD, and another 6 years to get over it.

Work hard, but maintain a sense of reality. I wish you the best.

Robert
 
Robert Dark said:
Congrats......... Be very careful getting that PhD. It sometimes changes people. Lots of hard work and much, much research.

An old College President once told me that it takes about 6 years to get a PhD, and another 6 years to get over it.

Work hard, but maintain a sense of reality. I wish you the best.

Robert
Click to expand...

There's some truth to that.:o Years in the basement, pouring over beakers, illuminated by stray laser beams ... it can change a fellow.

But here's the most important thing about getting your PhD: persistence. Just plain, animal, bull-dogged persistence. If you refuse to surrender and keep at it with a will, you shall succeed.;)
 
TF,

Thanks for the welcome. This is a career move that I've always seen myself making, but I just didn't expect it to come along this soon. I'm very excited about it and sad at the same time to leave one of the best rehab clinics out there. However, the most enjoyable part of my job has always been patient education and clinical instructorship to students on affiliation, so this will be a great fit for me and something I see myself doing until I retire.

Thanks again for the welcome!

Robert and OldPhysic,

Sound advice for sure. I'm too much of a down-to-earth fellow to be stuffed up by any degree. The good news is, 25 hours will be credited in for my master's work to count towards the PhD, so it should only take me about 3 years to complete it. Research to be sure, but it will be research based in my field of work, so hopefully it will be enjoyable. I just need help with the stats!! Thanks God for statistics programs!

--nathan
 
Robert beat me to it. My grandfather had his PHD at age 19. He used to use almost the same line -
"It takes years of hard work to earn a PHD, and years of hard work to get past it."

Congratulations, I wish you well.
Stacy
 
Congrats man! and good luck too! I hope it all goes well. Hopefully you will still have at least a little time for knives and BF.

Take care.
 
Congratulations! You had mentioned this, and I was wondering what the outcome was. I'll be sending some prayers your way, even if it just to give you some comfort in the new position and that it all goes smoothly. And just because you can't get in the shop doesn't mean ya can't come in and visit with us every now and then ;)
 
Outstanding Nathan!!!!!
You and your family must be so proud and happy!!!!
I hope you enjoy your new profession!!!!
 
Congratulations Nathan and good luck in your new position. My wife always said that PHD stood for Piled Higher and Deeper. :) I do wish you the best, I enjoy teaching also. I have 2-3 PA student a year come through, in fact I have a new one coming in August. Again good luck I really hope it works out for the best for you.
 
Good luck with the new opportunity and I wish you the best. Don't forget the little people.

-frank
 
Oh brother. Now we have to call you Doctor Nathan. :p:D

Seriously, you have my sincere congratulations. Make sure and spend some family time so you don't forget why you are doing all of this. Don't forget to make a few sparks when you get a little time. That should help maintain the sanity. Best of luck!
 
Thanks for all the well wishes, everyone. It's going to be a crazy busy but exciting time.

Ed, don't call me that. Doctor Burgess is my ..... well..... doctor....only....with my last name instead of his own. ;)

It will be wierd being called Mr. Burgess by students, though. I don't think I've ever been called that. And I've been called a lot of things!

Wade, if it was piled any deeper around me, they'd find me in an archeological excavation someday and assume a really, really large dinosour pooped on me leading to my death by suffocation. :D

--nathan
 
One other caveat about getting your doctorate is that you tend to be so specialized you have a tough time relating to entry level students again.

Try not to forget you were once like them - hang out with them a little - go do something you SUCK at from time to time to remember what it is like to learn something new - and you should be okay.

But if you get stuck in that Ivory tower - it is VERY easy to become an overpaid ineffective stuffed shirt.

TF
 
I am happy for you Nathan but of course a little sad to loose you as a knifemaker.

Keep in touch and when you feel the dark side of the force calling again we'll be here.

Patrice
 
Patrice,

Hey now, you can't get rid of me that easily. :D I'm still a knifemaker, and I always will be. It may just be a little tougher to get blade related work done at first, that's all. I'll still be checking the boards and on occasion posting some of my work.

TF, thanks for the advice. I honestly can never see myself getting to that point. The good thing is that these students I'll be teaching already have their degrees and are entering into a professional program that they've been prepping for for 3-4 years of undergraduate. So, their focus will on-topic. Also, the area I will be researching in during the PhD work will dovetail nicely with student projects and literature reviews as well as the classes I'll be teaching. The tough part will be teaching first-through-third year doctoral students while working on the PhD at the same time (only so many hours in the day). However, this will also keep my grounded, I'm sure. Don't worry, I don't ever plan on becoming a stuffed shirt. My passion is teaching and Physical Therapy (and knives ;) ), not end-level degrees. This is just something that has to be done, and it will help me elevate my understanding and contribution to my field.

But listen, you guys stay on top of me. Break my legs if you think I'm standing too tall, because that's just not me. :)

Oh, an Ryan...you guys let me know if you ever set up a hammer in, and I'll do my best to be there.

--nathan
 
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