(no subject)
A commenter from another community suggested that I post this here...apparently there are professors here? So...here goes:
I have been working with my advisor on getting a major project underway. Basically, we are looking at recruiting about 400 teachers and children. It will involve child testing...within 8 weeks. It is going to take a lot of manpower, and I am supposed to be the "lead " for this project this upcoming fall. I am supposed to be doing my RAship of 20 hours on this project in the fall. Another grad student has 10 hours on it, and we are DESPERATELY looking for other students to come join our project. We have two "maybes" right now...which is making us worry a little.
To the point:
I am thinking of taking a semester off...this fall. It is horrible timing for this project, but I really think I need it. She is aware that I might take this semester off, but has been talking this entire summer about the tasks that I will be responsible for this fall. I am so scared that this project is going to TANK if I don't put in the 20 hours a week. We are trying to get at least 40 hrs total (students combined) on this project. Without me, that would mean 4 people (10 hours each) have to work on it..right now, we only have one student for sure...If nobody else comes into our lab, this project will basically be impossible. Even if one other student joined...it would be difficult to get all the work done.
We got a major grant to do this project, and I love what the project entails, but my life at the moment is making me reconsider my priorities. I am going to feel so irresponsible for leaving the project. Guilty.
If you were a professor, and you had planned this major study...and a grad student left, leaving a giant gap to fill, how would you feel? I think she'd tell me that it is okay, but will it jeopardize any perceptions of professionalism, etc.?
I have been working with my advisor on getting a major project underway. Basically, we are looking at recruiting about 400 teachers and children. It will involve child testing...within 8 weeks. It is going to take a lot of manpower, and I am supposed to be the "lead " for this project this upcoming fall. I am supposed to be doing my RAship of 20 hours on this project in the fall. Another grad student has 10 hours on it, and we are DESPERATELY looking for other students to come join our project. We have two "maybes" right now...which is making us worry a little.
To the point:
I am thinking of taking a semester off...this fall. It is horrible timing for this project, but I really think I need it. She is aware that I might take this semester off, but has been talking this entire summer about the tasks that I will be responsible for this fall. I am so scared that this project is going to TANK if I don't put in the 20 hours a week. We are trying to get at least 40 hrs total (students combined) on this project. Without me, that would mean 4 people (10 hours each) have to work on it..right now, we only have one student for sure...If nobody else comes into our lab, this project will basically be impossible. Even if one other student joined...it would be difficult to get all the work done.
We got a major grant to do this project, and I love what the project entails, but my life at the moment is making me reconsider my priorities. I am going to feel so irresponsible for leaving the project. Guilty.
If you were a professor, and you had planned this major study...and a grad student left, leaving a giant gap to fill, how would you feel? I think she'd tell me that it is okay, but will it jeopardize any perceptions of professionalism, etc.?