Ep. 113: Dr. Norrell Edwards on Thinking About Your Ph.D. as Just One Part of Your Career Journey
Ph.D. in English/Black Diaspora Literature, University of Maryland, College ParkDr. Norell Edwards
In this episode of the Cohort Sistas Podcast, you’ll hear from today’s guest, Dr. Norrell Edwards, who shares her perspective on thinking about your Ph.D. as just one part of your career journey, not the be-all and end-all! Dr. Edwards completed her doctorate in English literature from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a specialization in 20th and 21st century Black Diaspora Literature. Dr. Edwards recently joined Texas Christian University as Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow from her position at Georgetown University, where she served as Assistant Director of Education of their Prison and Justice Initiative. She currently serves as the volunteer director of communications for the Next Step Forward Initiative, a New York-based grassroots organization focused on making progress to eradicate systemic racism. Tuning in, you’ll hear how Dr. Edwards found her way into academia and why she says that landing on the doctoral path was somewhat accidental, and she shares the programs she enrolled in, the challenges she encountered and how she overcame them, as well as the successes she experienced along the way. Tune in today to find out more!
Connect with Dr. Norrell Edwards on LinkedIn, on Twitter, or on her website, NorellEdwards.com.
Key Points From This Episode:
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Learn a bit more about Dr. Edwards and how she found her way into academia.
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Why people often assume she is Haitian; her interest in French literature and work in Haiti.
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Hear about her dissertation on the memory of the Duvalier dictatorship in Haiti.
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The research that Dr. Edwards is currently working on in her postdoctoral fellowship.
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Dr. Edwards speaks about New Rochelle her work with the Next Step Forward Initiative.
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How she ended up on the doctoral track in the first place; why Dr. Edwards says it was almost accidental on her part.
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Some of the programs she enrolled in and some of the obstacles she encountered and overcame to complete her Ph.D.
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She highlights the importance of finding the allies that will help you get to the finish line.
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How Dr. Edwards identified her mentors and the mentorship she has received from Stacie McCormick at TCU.
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Why she believes she might have approached academia differently with a different mindset.
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Find out why Dr. Edwards didn’t feel supported in pursuing an alternative academic career.
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Some successes she encountered in her program, thanks to her open-minded approach.
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Find out how her academic and non-academic work intersects, including grant writing, ESL, and her non-profit work; the value of storytelling.
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Dr. Edwards shares how her degree was funded, from departmental funding to McNair.
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What her next career steps are and whether or not she needs to be tenured to pursue them.
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Hear her parting advice for prospective or current Black female doctoral students: you can get the support you need outside your institution.
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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.
