Passion

Passion is energy. Feel the power from focusing on what excites you.

~Oprah Winfrey~

 

To complete my PhD I need to acquire some skill doing research which makes sense as it is a body of research. This translates in my programme to completing a Certificate or Diploma in Research, where the Certificate is 60 credits (bare minimum) and the Diploma is 120 credits (nuff work). The first module of this programme called Research Methods finished a few weeks ago and I want to share my observations, and maybe the major lesson.

The co-ordinators of the programme divided it into 12 vignettes (so English) of an hour and 50 minutes each over the week. A bit painful it seemed when I thought about it before, as it meant that we would be sitting in a classroom setting (groan) from 10 am till 6pm daily with reflective group work (really?) to wrap up each day. I did know though that it was a ‘necessary evil’ to complete my major goal, so I put on my happy face and my good attitude and I got ready for the week.

This programme also meant that I would get to meet and ‘socialise’ (maybe interact is a better word…hmmm…) with persons outside of my department as the programme was run by the Business School for all new PhD students, in addition to students completing a Masters in Research (wow). I was betting that they would not allow us to choose our groups but would place us in groups to force interaction so I was sure I would meet some new people.

Each vignette was presented by a Lecturer, Doctor, and Professor (your get my drift) of the Business School’s various departments: Strategy & Organisation, Human Resources, Management Science, Economics, Accounting and Finance, the Centre for Entrepreneurship etc. Each individual presented on a different research method that they used in their PhD work or that they are using in their current research, which meant that we were not discussing the method in isolation but in some context that illustrated how the method could be used and be useful.

Anyway my thoughts on the week:

• I am not a nerd! Some of the people that I met are so intellectual that they can seem intimidating. I was not sure that I could relate to them in my normal fashion, if you know what I mean, where my normal fashion means using small, simple words. (lol)
• I had great fun in some sessions, especially those that utilised active learning techniques and got us up and involved. One presentation I was involved in was especially fun as my team’s topic was about work and play and we tossed ‘a ball’ (wadded up paper) to each other as we spoke. Simple but effective!! ( I was petrified at first, I cannot catch to save my life, so I had the ball first)

• Some sessions were just not what I was expecting and the titles were very deceptive. For example, in the vignette entitled, Historical Methods and Perspective I was certainly not expecting to hear about Colonialism, Feminism and the like, although it did all make some sense in the end. 
• Lunch will be provided does not mean hot food (lol), something I am becoming very acquainted with in the UK. No rice and peas, no macaroni pie, no beef stew peeps. No! Lunch will be provided on a university budget means assorted sandwiches (not cheese paste and tuna… but sexy sandwiches), assorted pastries, cookies, juice, water, coffee and tea.

I think I am taking too long to get to the point.

There was one consistent trait with every presentation, and that was passion. Each presenter had a passion for the research method or the specific research they were discussing. Even the guy talking about an area that to me was more boring than dirt was smiling, animated and passionate about his research, his work and his PhD years or sometimes all of these. But that passion always shone through.

I highlight one individual who was such an inspiration in so many ways. (I don’t have their permission to talk about them so this will be slightly vague) With a first degree in a creative area, an MBA and a PhD, in addition to one of those truly mixed up backgrounds (born here, raised there, studied here, completed research there etc. etc.) the individual shone as an example that being true to yourself, your background and being passionate about your cause and research, no matter how different, can still lead to success in your chosen field.

So what I learnt, what my major lesson was (hmmm how do I put it) is: choose your work, research, (dare I mention them … relationships) and activities wisely because being passionate about whatever it is makes that much more difference. It makes you smile, it makes you animated, it makes you committed, it makes you a better presenter and it will see you succeed.