It Goes without Saying

Book excerpt: The definitive toolkit for doctoral students in engineering on thesis—and journal article—preparation, project (and stress) management, IP protection, collaborations, and other aspects of the PhD journey. It shouldn't take a PhD to get a PhD, but sometimes the process can seem that confusing—even though, to the mentors and advisors, so obvious that it goes without saying. For doctoral students in engineering confronting this dilemma, Caroline Boudoux, an accomplished researcher and entrepreneur, provides a demystifying guide to the challenges—daunting, seemingly routine, and at times unexpected—of pursuing a PhD in this demanding field. In It Goes without Saying, Boudoux marshals her considerable experience mentoring graduate students, teaching doctoral workshops, and—not so long ago—earning her own PhD at MIT to give PhD candidates the know-how, and the confidence, to succeed. Among the topics this book takes up are: What a PhD is: the journey, the milestones, and the endgame. Technical questions about what a doctoral project in engineering is and how to lead one. Practical matters including tips on writing, from proposal to dissertation; ethics; and intellectual property. Personal concerns, such as dealing with expectations, imposter syndrome, and stress. From the mundane to the metaphysical, this user-friendly guide gives the doctoral student in engineering the tools to make it from Day 1 to the successful completion of the PhD in a timely, fully informed, and forward-looking manner.