Will Switching Schools During My Ph.D. Hurt My CV?

[Norman]

Hello all,

I thought I might pick some of your brains with a potential problem I might have. I switched schools after 2 years of my Ph.D. program, since my research advisor took a job at a different school. I followed him to his new school since my previous institution did not have a particle physicist anymore, let alone one who was familiar with all the previous research I had done on the subject.

I did not get a masters from my previous university since it would have been a big pain in the rear. I know I was lazy and should have just wrote a masters thesis, but I would have had to do some research in a field I had no experience with and that would have just delayed the work I wanted to do.

Well now I wonder if this will look badly on my CV. I have 2 years of a Ph.D. program on there with nothing to show for it from that institution. Should include an explanation somewhere? Is appropriate to have a statement like that on your CV?

Just wondered what you all might have to say about it.
Cheers,
Ryan

 

[abszero]

I've heard of this happening a lot: about four grad students at my school are going through the same thing. I'm sure someone will see that and probably infer that this is what happened.

 

[Norman]

That is good to know that it is common, but is it appropriate to mention is somewhere on my CV? I also know a couple grad students who have been dropped from programs and transferred to other schools. How do I distinguish myself from those students?
Thanks,
Ryan

 

[George Jones]

Why do you have to mention the school at which you started your Ph.D.?

Edit: Is it because you want to include TA experience at the first institution?

Regards,
George

 

[Norman]

Why do you have to mention the school at which you started your Ph.D.?

Edit: Is it because you want to include TA experience at the first institution?

Regards,
George

In fact I will not be doing much teaching (most likely none) at my new institution since I have a fellowship for research. So I would like to have that included since I was one of the best TAs there and my reviews show it. In addition, I have done research during my time there and took almost all of my class work for my Ph.D. there.

 

[George Jones]

A suggestion: Include a brief separate Education section that summarizes your degrees, like

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Physics, University of ?, 20??. (Started at U of ?; advisor changed institutions.)

Bachelor of Science, Physics, University of ?, 20??.


Also have other sections with titles like Awards, Work Experience, Teaching Experience, Research Experience - whatever headings that suit you. The fairly short parenthetical comment in the Education section then explains everything.

As I said, this is only a suggestion - you should have a format with which *you* feel comfortable.

Regards,
George

 

[Norman]

That is the basic format that I have right now,
Education, Research, Teaching, Awards, Publications, Conference Talks, Academic Societies, and a small paragraph that explains my current research activities.

Thanks for taking the time to respond George.
Cheers,
Ryan