Life After Research

Yes, there is life after the completion of a thesis. In fact, I think life after a thesis/project and/or dissertation is more fulfilled because you know you have the intellectual ability to perform academic scholarship. Adding to the body of knowledge on a topic important to you and to the industry you love is an honor. Accomplishing this goal is an amazing feat; one that many people want to quit during the process. However, ultimately accomplishing this goal will make the researcher/student feel a sense of greater understanding and contribution.

I actually plan to use my topic and the information I generated in this course to continue my academic studies in the Gaylord College’s Ph.D. program. I was accepted into the program beginning in the fall, so I’m really excited to actually begin my 6000-level coursework this summer. In addition, I will continue to use the information I learned in the class as a journalism professor at Oklahoma City University and as adviser of the university's Student Publications staff.

Once I complete my Ph.D., I hope to use my dissertation and smaller “break out” types of studies from inside it to make presentations regarding the idea of journalists experiencing trauma as a result of the everyday violent events they cover. Specifically, I would love to present information through the Dart Center for Journalists and Trauma. I also hope to make information from my studies available through the Dart Center’s Web site so others can learn from the work I’ve done. I also would love to publish information about my work in professional journalism publications like the Society of Professional Journalists' Quill and Columbia Journalism Review.

Ironically I also discovered a secondary area of research I’m very interested in during the course of the class. I hope to begin studying (post Ph.D.) the idea of mediated communication and how things like e-mail and instant messaging are changing the traditional ways reporters gather the news. I think methods of news gathering, not just reporting, are changing as we become more multi platform. I look forward to delving into this area once I feel that I’ve done fair justice to the topic about which I’m most passionate.