MSc Student

It has been suggested that I supervise an MSc student.

I know the value of a good supervisor to curious and courageous students. I've also had colleagues who have had find their own way with bad supervisors. I would like to become one of the good ones.

I would also like the opportunity to examine my own views and reflect on my own knowledge from some different perspectives. A long-term commitment would help me to do that. I also hope to learn a lot from this student, both about the research topic, and whatever contexts it is situated in. I'd also like to offer something from my random assortment of experiences that may be useful to the student, the university, and the broader community.

The opportunity arose because I casually responded that I had practical experience with a research topic belonging to a student who was seeking a supervisor. I did not know that holding a Master's degree qualified me to supervise MSc students. I have never supervised a student before.

At this point, I know little about how the MSc program works in this university or department, and my supervisor who has worked here for ±20 years is not aware of any reliable documentation. (Graduate programs were consolidated into one office two weeks ago!) Difficulty modifier: The thesis will be in Finnish.

I will meet this student, and the prospective co-supervisor, tomorrow at 8 a.m. We are proceeding on the understanding that I would primarily be responsible for the non-administrative parts of the supervising (since I will be away from time to time doing research work) while my co-supervisor would handle the bureaucratic stuff and teach me about supervision as we go along.

It is my intent that this blog will help me, as well as anyone else who finds it, become better scholars in some way.

I think I will find some time this weekend to read the PhD comics archives.

To those who've had good or bad experiences on either side of the student/supervisor relationship:

Please share with me your thoughts, advice, and experiences (both good and bad) so that I may learn from them sooner rather than later. I thank you, and the student (probably) thanks you for helping to ensure that this experiment goes well.