Lisa
New member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2026
- Messages
- 12
Family gathering last weekend. My uncle, who I haven't seen in years, asks what I'm doing. I say "working on my PhD, writing my dissertation." He nods seriously and says: "Is that a legitimate program? Or one of those online things?"
I wanted to disappear. Or scream. Or both.
My dissertation is on food insecurity among college students. I've done 50 interviews. Analyzed thousands of pages of transcripts. Presented at four conferences. Published one article, working on another. I'm at a top research university with a full funding package.
Legitimate? LEGITIMATE?
I took a breath. Explained calmly. He said "oh, okay" and changed the subject.
This happens constantly. Family who don't understand what a PhD is. Friends who think I'm "still in school" like it's extended undergrad. Strangers who ask if I'm going to be a "real doctor."
I'm learning to let it go. They don't know what they don't know. Their questions come from love, mostly. Or ignorance, not malice.
But still. "Legitimate." That one's going to haunt me
I wanted to disappear. Or scream. Or both.
My dissertation is on food insecurity among college students. I've done 50 interviews. Analyzed thousands of pages of transcripts. Presented at four conferences. Published one article, working on another. I'm at a top research university with a full funding package.
Legitimate? LEGITIMATE?
I took a breath. Explained calmly. He said "oh, okay" and changed the subject.
This happens constantly. Family who don't understand what a PhD is. Friends who think I'm "still in school" like it's extended undergrad. Strangers who ask if I'm going to be a "real doctor."
I'm learning to let it go. They don't know what they don't know. Their questions come from love, mostly. Or ignorance, not malice.
But still. "Legitimate." That one's going to haunt me
