Ep. 109: Dr. Chantal Hailey on The Importance of Peer Mentorship in Doctoral Studies & Post-Academic Success
Dr. Chantal Hailey Ph.D. in Sociology, New York University
On today’s episode of the Cohort Sistas Podcast, assistant professor at NYU, Dr. Chantal Hailey emphasizes the game-changing role of peer and senior support in doctoral studies. We dive into the role of racial preference, safety and perceived safety in New York. We begin our conversation by touching on the role of race, safety and racialized safety in school choices. Dr. Hailey tells the story of how attending a predominantly white private school piqued her interest in sociological dynamics at a young age. She goes on to tell us about her own journey with school selection and how she experienced NYU’s focus on sociology as a whole as opposed to sharing knowledge solely to recruit her into their program was a big selling point for them as an institution. Dr. Hailey shares with us that taking time off between undergraduate and doctoral studies enabled her to develop the confidence she needed to succeed. Next, she shares with us some of the benefits of building strong relationships with students further along in their academic journey than she was. She tells us about the element of competition and the importance of protecting your ideas and gets real about the rollercoaster of highs and lows involved in grad school. We talk about NYU’s funding structure, the funding process, and the importance of asking questions and allowing people to challenge you. Tune in for some hard-won pearls of wisdom to guide and inspire your doctoral journey.
Connect with Dr. Chantal Hailey on Dr. Chantal Hailey, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
Key Points From This Episode:
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Dr. Chantal Hailey’s upbringing and educational history.
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The role of race, safety and racialized safety in school choices.
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How black and brown schools are perceived to be less safe than white and mixed schools.
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How Dr. Hailey began to explore sociology and racial inequalities during her private school education at the age of 13.
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The process of picking and applying to schools for doctoral studies.
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How the faculty offering information on sociology in general and not exclusively to recruit Dr. Hailey to their program was a green flag for NYU’s priorities.
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Finding balance as a doctoral student with many interests outside of academia.
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How developing a sense of self prior to post-graduate studies was necessary to develop a voice and build strong relationships with authoritative figures.
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The value of building relationships with students who are further along in their academic journey.
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The level of competition versus collaboration in academia.
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The highs and lows of rejection and achievement in grad school.
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The importance of maintaining an identity outside of academia without losing motivation to succeed.
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The value of advisors and mentors in encouraging Dr. Hailey to forge ahead with her studies.
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The importance of finding an advisor who is invested in your holistic wellness.
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Why Dr. Hailey chose to only approach institutions that provided funding for students.
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The value of connecting with other black women in your department.
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The importance of asking questions and allowing people to challenge you.
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The Cohort Sistas Podcast brings to life the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women with doctoral degrees and their lives beyond the degree. If you are a Black woman interested in joining the Cohort Sistas community, sign up to do so here, and if you are looking for more information on how to support or partner with Cohort Sistas, please visit our partnerships page. Find us on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to follow The Cohort Sistas Podcast, rate the show, and leave us a quick review.
