(Usually I reserve my longform blogging projects or other math projects on this website for the Summer. However, I’ve been working on this mini-series for months now and finally have enough time to figure out what I want to convey. Also I was waiting to figure out what the next chapter of my story in mathematics education was before I started doling out advice about mathematics education.)
This past May I graduated with a PhD in Mathematics Education from the University of Wyoming (UW). That means I completed the entire program in less than four calendar years, including my dissertation. This emergentmath blog miniseries is devoted to letting you know about all the mistakes I made in the hopes that you’ll avoid them. However, for as many mistakes as I made and as many challenges I incurred from external and internal sources, I was able to complete the program and secure a Dream Job.
So don’t let the tongue-in-cheek title fool you: I cherished my time in the UW program. The program itself is really well structured – allowing freedom and providing support. The opportunities I had at UW to teach and connect with others was invaluable. I had great professors and the program put me in the best possible situation upon graduation.
A combination of effort, luck, and privilege led to me securing a job as a full-time assistant professor at Colorado State University, just a stone’s throw away from my front door. I’ll be able to bike to work and not have to move an inch. For those that are familiar with academia, you and I know just how rare this is. Normally you don’t get to choose what University you work at. You go where you can, at least starting out.
So somehow, with errant decisions littered throughout my time obtaining a PhD, it all worked out better than I could have imagined. I’ll chronicle the challenges – both large and nitty-gritty – I experienced while getting my PhD.
Below is a list of the nine (!) posts where I’ll be dishing out advice. I’ll also conclude each section with my key takeaways and highlights for you to consider. These posts will release regularly throughout the Winter Break (2025).
All posts in this series:
Part 1: Why (not) to get your PhD in Mathematics Education
Part 2: Finding the right program
Part 3: What a Math Education Doctoral Degree is (and what it isn’t)
Part 4: Do you like to write? You better.
Part 5: Classes, Coursework, and You
Part 7: Let’s Talk About Your Dissertation: the thing that people just don’t want to do
Part 8: Your defense committee: Prelims, Quals, and the moving of mountains
Part 9: What comes next (for me and for you)?
Appendix A: Slow cooker meals
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emergent math 