What the heck is a dissertation coach anyway?
A. I’m sure different coaches will give you different answers to this question but, to me, a dissertation coach is someone who helps you finish your dissertation and survive the process. Through a combination of phone calls and emails (and in person meetings if we’re in the same area), I will offer tips and strategies for finishing while helping you to deal with the emotional angst of finishing. You will find (or already know) that the dissertation process can be a very lonely and isolating one where no one around you really understands what you’re going through. I understand because I’ve lived it so I can offer a shoulder to cry on but I will then stop the tears by helping you work through your crisis du jour (and believe me, there is often a crisis du jour if not a crisis per hour!). More than just offering practical tips and strategies for the actual finishing of the dissertation, my job as a coach is to help you identify and capitalize on your strengths, figure out areas where you
