A Familiar Friend: The Impacts of the Master’s Thesis Over Four Formative Career Phases

ABSTRACT

Over the course of my career, I have experienced the thesis in different ways. This reflection paper will relay my encounters with what I am calling “thesis-objects” (to borrow a concept from object relations). I encountered the thesis-objects at different phases of my professional development: when I was a student, a supervisor for Smith MSW students, a PhD applicant, and chair of the Alumni Thesis Award Committee. My relationship with each thesis-object has refined me and granted me new perspective and personal growth. When I was a student, the thesis was a coach helping me develop tools to answer important questions. When I was a supervisor, the thesis was a bridge-builder, strengthening my relationships with supervisees. Then, when I was a PhD applicant, the thesis was a door-opener, providing me means to access PhD opportunities. Now that I am a chair, the thesis is a teacher opening my eyes to new intellectual terrain and pressing social problems.

KEYWORDS:

• master’s thesis
• research
• reflection

Funding

This article was supported with funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, grant T32 NIMH MH019960.

Additional information

Funding

This article was supported with funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, grant T32 NIMH MH019960.

Notes on contributors

Cole Douglas Hooley

Cole Douglas Hooley, LCSW, is a National Institute of Mental Health predoctoral fellow, Washington University in St. Louis, George Warren Brown School of Social Work. He also maintains a private psychotherapy practice.