I can’t believe that I haven’t updated my blog in three whole months. But as my last post warned, I took the summer off to focus on the quest for my next big challenge.
The process included research, reflection, brainstorming, endless flip charts stuck up on the wall, and countless discussions with friends, family and mentors. It was messy, and at times uncomfortable. I’ve never taken that long to decide anything. By nature, I’m a quick decision-maker, comfortable with risk and prone to leaps of faith. But I don’t like not having a clear direction, feeling like I’m drifting from possibility to possibility. When I still hadn’t reached any firm conclusions in late August, I felt an almost overwhelming urge to choose something, anything, and just get on with it. But none of the possibilities that had emerged felt like it — my next big thing.
Then BAM! Everthing started falling into place, and within two weeks, it all came together. Not one, but two very big things, each perfectly meshing with the other. Both incredibly challenging and exciting.
I can only talk about one of them now, because the other isn’t quite ready for public launch, so here’s the Part 1 announcement:
As of next week, I’ll be a doctoral student at Birkbeck College, University of London, working towards a PhD in Intercultural Communication. This topic has become a passion for me over the past few years, and was further inflamed by my experiences serving as 2008-09 Chair of IABC. Throughout my whole process, it was clear that my next big thing would have to entail a focus on expanding my cross-cultural knowledge and experience. I looked at a number of universities in the UK and abroad, and Birkbeck seems like the perfect fit. With only a BA in Mass Communication, I was initially looking at MA programmes. But based on my 20+ years of experience, they waived the MA requirement and accepted me into their “new route” PhD programme. So I’m prepared to feel like I’m in over my head at first, but I’m hoping I’ll catch on fast. Hey, I said I needed a challenge, didn’t I?
Stay tuned for Part 2 sometime in the next few weeks. It’s big.
Wow! That is a really great “next big thing” Barb! Can’t wait to call you Dr. Barb.
I know how exciting it is to embark on new things, and also how hard it is to not talk about them (I’m doing a bit of that myself right now), so will keep an eye out for your next announcement soon.
~LPT
Congratulations!!! What a great thing to do. I’m working on my Masters in Communications & Leadership Studies right now–set to graduate in May. One of my professors said to consider the PhD route. I am interested, but scared. Please post updates of how the program is going!!!
(And I must thank IABC for sparking my interest in learning as much as I can about communications. I tell people that I’m a “conference junkie.” Can’t wait to finish this degree and start on my ABC.)
Best,
Courtney
IABC New Orleans
Congrats! I wish you well in your new endeavour.
Congratulations on this next big thing, Barb! It is truly exciting and inspiring! Best wishes with your new endeavor and I can’t wait to hear about Part 2.
- Michaela
Congratulations, Barb! I’m looking forward to hearing about what you’re learning as you work your way through the program.
Thanks for the encouraging comments.
Laura, I’m rubbish at keeping my own secrets, but good at keeping other people’s, so if you need to tell someone, I’m here for you. Can’t wait to hear what’s ahead for you.
Elmer, always good to hear from you. Makes me smile remembering both our first Twitter encounters and the tweet-up in Austin.
Michaela, it was good to see you last week in SF. You’re a wonderful addition to the IABC Research Foundation Board of Trustees.
Wonderful, wonderful! I’ve been thinking PhD too but I’d have to be able to complete some of it online. I can’t find the venue!
Hey Barbara, I thought about online, and there do seem to be several for a more general Communication focus, but I didn’t find the cross-cultural focus I was looking for. Luckily, Birkbeck’s campus is convenient to me, and they offer evening classes.
Courtney, that’s great to hear. Don’t be intimidated by the PhD, it sounds like you enjoy learning. I definitely recommend going for the ABC, too!
Thanks Lynn, I’m sure I’ll be blogging and tweeting my way through the ups and downs of going back to school.
Hey Barb that’s fantastic – and exciting! I look forward to those blog posts/tweets, and getting to live vicariously thought your adventure.
Great stuff, Barb … or Dr Barb as it soon will be. I look forward to reading your thesis. Marcus
Good luck with the studies. You are Truely inspirational to those of us who only think about trying something new – why wait until tomorrow when you can do it today?
Thanks Jeff!
Marcus, not sure about the “soon” part, the Dr bit is probably five years or more away. But since the years are zooming by for me these days, maybe it won’t seem so long.
Thanks Nick. Good to hear from you. I was thinking about you recently because I had lunch at Maze. We need to catch up!
Woo-hoo! Yay, Barb! Can’t wait to hear the rest of the big news!
Go for it, Barb! It sounds VERY much like what I did back in the mid-1980s in Los Angeles. My research and focus was on communicating with specialized audiences; specifically managers and supervisors. The process took a couple of years (that I didn’t think I cound afford), but I’ve never regretted the results. My very best wishes for your endeavor.
You go girl! I’ve toted with the notion of obtaining a PhD … Unlike you, I tend to mull for extended periods. Although you gave me an early “FYi” on this announcement, it’s still exciting and I look forward to hearing about your experiences as you begin this new adventure! Can’t wait to learn what part 2 presents! Miss you!
Dr. Barb – I like it! It has that “next big thing” ring to it. Congrats! I’ll keep an eye out for your blog updates. Hopefully I’ll see you in Toronto next June, unless by chance you’ll be in Austin in the next 9 months??
I’m blown away by all the comments. It’s like having all my friends with me, helping me celebrate, giving me hugs & words of encouragement. Of course, if you were all here, there would also be drinks, but not everything translates to social media.;-) Thanks Kim, Todd, Kristen & Connie!
Dr Gibson, I presume…! Wow, this is really exciting Barb. Can there be anything bigger than this? I wait with bated breath for your next post..
Soooooooo cool, and sooooo perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!
Wow–Dr. Barb! (I really like that.) ‘-)
You have been an inspiration to me since I heard you speak at LI in San Diego. I’m in a master’s program in Communication and Leadership (I wonder if it’s the same program Courtney’s in?), and recently renewed my interest in intercultural communication and diversity studies through the course work for my current class. I look forward to reading your posts as you progress through your program–I hope they will give me the incentive I need to continue on to a doctoral program next year after I complete the master’s.
Thank you for leading the way!
Congratulations, Barb, on making an extremely important decision! I know you’ll have a fabulous time as a student and will certainly bring a lot the table to teach others during your studies.
Allow me to join the growing list of friends awaiting “Part 2″!
By the way, please don’t go another three months without a post – some of us were having awful withdrawals! ;7)
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