Student Notebook: Five Tips for Working With Your Committee

There is a lot that goes into a graduate school program, whether you’re applying, finishing up your thesis or dissertation, or anything in between. While on that journey, having the right people to guide you through your program is a key facet of your success. Your committee members are those people. Given that your committee members are vital to your graduate school experience, how should you select them? What should working with them look like? Below, I have compiled five tips, based on my own experiences, for moving through graduate school with your committee’s support.  

Tip 1: Choose the right chair  

Depending on your program, the person in charge of your committee might be called your advisor, chair, or something else; however, the role they play is the same. They are your compass during graduate school and guide you toward your career goals, and this person should be selected first. When selecting your chair, their area of expertise is important. Ensuring your research interests align means that, for the duration of your time in graduate school, you will focus on an area of work that is meaningful to you and receive mentorship applicable to the niche about which you are passionate.  

Tip 2: Select a balanced committee  

In addition to your chair, your committee will have at least two other members. Whether you have more than three members, an external examiner, and so forth, will depend on your program. Your committee will typically fit specific roles. I suggest that one member you choose should be a methodologist. Methodologists are important to support the development of the methods section of your final product, including the feasibility and validity of your approach. The third committee member, another subject-matter expert, should ideally balance your chair’s knowledge with other perspectives on your interests.

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There will be areas of your niche known well by your chair, and other facets that will need deeper exploration: That is where this third committee member comes in, ensuring that your arguments are sound. Get guidance from your chair on who to select for these roles, as your chair likely has connections with other academics who would be open to serving on your committee, and they also have deeper knowledge about faculty politics of which students often are not aware. Using your chair’s knowledge can help you avoid conflict and get the guidance you need to proceed smoothly through your graduate school experience.  

Tip 3: Communicate frequently  

Your committee is a tool to promote your success. Use them! Whether you’re talking to them about your program of study and classes you should take or addressing methodological concerns in your dissertation proposal, your committee is there to give guidance and direction to your journey. Frequent emails and meetings regarding any questions you have, or things you didn’t know you should be thinking about, will help you avoid snags in your graduate school experience.  

Tip 4: Accept and process feedback  

It is common to forget that your committee is there to help you succeed. Though the process of milestones and defenses can be intimidating, a good committee just wants to help you be the best scholar you can be. Although feedback may seem harsh or overly critical at times, critical examination is exactly what will make your work the best it can be. When your committee provides feedback to you on your work, take the time to process it fully, and then slowly implement changes to address their thoughts.  

Tip 5: Celebrate milestones  

Don’t be afraid to celebrate the wins! And know that you’re not celebrating alone. Whether it’s acceptance into graduate school, advancing to candidacy, defending your dissertation, or anything in between, it’s important to acknowledge these successes and how important they are to your growth. Your committee is on this journey with you, and they want to support your successes. It is perfectly acceptable as you communicate with them to let them know when you have something to be proud of. They’ll love to hear it and celebrate along with you! Those moments are what makes graduate school worth it. 

As I have gone through my post-graduate experience, I found it helpful to follow these steps and hope they can guide others on their journey. Building a strong, collaborative relationship with your committee—from selecting the right chair to celebrating milestones—can help make your graduate school experience feel even more meaningful. By carefully working with faculty who align with your goals, maintaining consistent communication, and embracing feedback, you can create a partnership that supports your growth as a scholar. Ultimately, your committee is there not only to guide you academically but also to celebrate your successes and help you thrive throughout this deeply impactful journey.  

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