Doctor Doctor ?
Every semester, I guest lecture at SIUE and teach students about Construction scheduling and construction float.
This is probably my 4th semester doing this and I was far more relaxed than I had been in the past. The lecture went really well and students were engaged in discussion about the topic. I enjoyed recounting all the things I taught myself during my experience building the Metrolink extension.
I was offered a position as an instructor, should I want it, to teach the entire class. Even more surprisingly, the interim director of the CM program was interested in me doing a PhD with him, suggesting that it would be pretty easy for me to get one. I could, he said, greatly contribute the knowledge in the community about Sustainability in Construction (or even LEED in construction), and open up my avenues to teach as a professor.
Wow.
I had never considered doing a PhD. before and this was a total surprise. I intend to explore the idea (albeit lightly), by visiting the man in the two universities that he is affiliated with. What may be more interesting to me is to write a book and direct the research via his contacts in a univ. rather than try to combine that effort with credit hours for myself. It's a boost to the ego and a pleasantly interesting daydream to consider this life path.
It was very very easy for me to know what I would study, were I to go this route.
I would want to extensively study and document the South Indian vernacular residential homes. This is a fast disappearing facet of Indian architecture, and as far as I know, there is no comprehensive book that (yet) lays out this knowledge. Dakshin Chitra is an organization near Madras that has a wonderful display of vernacular architecture, and is researching the subject and educating people about architecture and social culture. I would probably opt to work with them during my study.
Were I doing a PhD, I would probably have a chance to explore other Indian vernaculars as well, before deciding to focus my interest in residences.
It is interesting to consider potential future paths for my life. Makes me celebrate life itself and the endless possibilities for rich experiences & contributions. Given that I have chosen to experience parenthood, it is unlikely that I will choose these paths. But knowing that I could anchor my heart and soul in such an exploration helps me understand how to shape my life so that I can at least dabble in it.
This is probably my 4th semester doing this and I was far more relaxed than I had been in the past. The lecture went really well and students were engaged in discussion about the topic. I enjoyed recounting all the things I taught myself during my experience building the Metrolink extension.
I was offered a position as an instructor, should I want it, to teach the entire class. Even more surprisingly, the interim director of the CM program was interested in me doing a PhD with him, suggesting that it would be pretty easy for me to get one. I could, he said, greatly contribute the knowledge in the community about Sustainability in Construction (or even LEED in construction), and open up my avenues to teach as a professor.
Wow.
I had never considered doing a PhD. before and this was a total surprise. I intend to explore the idea (albeit lightly), by visiting the man in the two universities that he is affiliated with. What may be more interesting to me is to write a book and direct the research via his contacts in a univ. rather than try to combine that effort with credit hours for myself. It's a boost to the ego and a pleasantly interesting daydream to consider this life path.
It was very very easy for me to know what I would study, were I to go this route.
I would want to extensively study and document the South Indian vernacular residential homes. This is a fast disappearing facet of Indian architecture, and as far as I know, there is no comprehensive book that (yet) lays out this knowledge. Dakshin Chitra is an organization near Madras that has a wonderful display of vernacular architecture, and is researching the subject and educating people about architecture and social culture. I would probably opt to work with them during my study.
Were I doing a PhD, I would probably have a chance to explore other Indian vernaculars as well, before deciding to focus my interest in residences.
It is interesting to consider potential future paths for my life. Makes me celebrate life itself and the endless possibilities for rich experiences & contributions. Given that I have chosen to experience parenthood, it is unlikely that I will choose these paths. But knowing that I could anchor my heart and soul in such an exploration helps me understand how to shape my life so that I can at least dabble in it.