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Waiting to Get Your Dissertation Accepted?
Last Updated on: 7th June 2024, 04:44 am
While getting gifts for dissertation committee members is not traditional, but it’s becoming more of the norm these days. If done properly, it can be a good way to say thank you to your committee members.
However, getting gifts for dissertation committee members is a fine line to walk. You don’t want to give them a new car. But you don’t want it to be a $5 Starbucks gift card leftover from your research either.
Also, note that it’s important to give gifts AFTER completion of your degree. Giving gifts before your defense, for example, is inappropriate as it may come across as a bribe.
Here are some common gifts that are appropriate, relatively affordable, and will be appreciated by your committee members.
Best Gifts for Dissertation Committee Members
Nice Pens
Fancy pens are a traditional gift. Because academics do a lot of writing, it’s an acknowledgment of the value of that work. While the actual use of pens these days has decreased, the tradition still stands. Here are some good options if you choose pens as your gifts for dissertation committee members.
- Mont Blanc–for example, the PIX Ballpoint Pen
- Cross–affordable quality pens
- The Wood Reserve–Custom Engraved Wooden Pen
Gift Certificates for Dinner
Gift certificates to a nice restaurant are also a good choice. It’s wise to make sure the person in question actually eats the type of food you’re getting them a gift certificate for. A vegan won’t be thrilled about receiving a gift certificate to a steakhouse.
Get Your Dissertation Accepted On Your Next Submission
Don’t spend too much on them, either. You’re a starving doctoral student, and your committee members understand that. Don’t go over $100 for a single gift certificate; less is perfectly fine too.
Funny Gifts
I’ve seen students give their committee members T-shirts that say things like, “I survived John’s dissertation committee.” Gifts like this are usually cheaper than many others. That said, use your discernment–they may not be appropriate for every person on your committee.
Meaningful Gifts
One of the best gifts for dissertation committee members is something that’s meaningful to them. If you have a special relationship with a member of your committee or have bonded over a shared love of something, you could get them something that represents that. For example, if you both like the same sports team, or both play golf, you could give them a football jersey or golf balls.
Joint Publishing
It has been an unwritten rule to put at least your committee Chair’s name on your first publication coming out of your dissertation. That can be very helpful to them because it may help them with annual evaluations at their school.
Thanking your Committee Chair or other committee members through joint publication of research from your dissertation is a tangible and strong thank you.
However, I would let them know beforehand that your intention is to do include their name as an author because some people may not want you to do that. For example, they may have a research stream that goes in a different direction and they don’t want that to look contradictory to their research stream.
Future Thank-Yous
Thank-yous can continue into the future. As you become a colleague, treat your former committee members of respect, and remind them of your gratitude for their assistance. You may find that they start seeking you out for research projects, or keeping you in mind when they hear about jobs. We (committee members) want to help people that we like.
Six years after my degree, a former committee member called me up and said, “I need a favor, are you publishing anything that I could put my name on?” He was coming up for an annual review and needed one more publication. I was very grateful for many things he did for me and I said “sure,” and let him pick a publication that was relevant to the research he was doing.
The Importance of Thanking Your Committee Members
By handling thank-yous tastefully, you fully enter the community of academia.
I’ve been Chair of a number of committees where the thank you was in the acknowledgments section and that’s it. That was fine, and I was happy for the students, but I don’t remember them particularly well–because I’m human.
Thank your committee members well–in a way that is genuine to you–and they will think well of you.
Final Thoughts
In addition to getting a gift, it’s important to send a thank-you note to your committee members and include them in the acknowledgments section of your dissertation.
Now that you have your degree and are moving into the world of an academic career, you will be met with a host of new challenges. If you’re looking for someone who knows the territory, feel free to take a look at my Academic Career Coaching services and reach out for a free 30-minute consultation.
