How to discretely change advisor?

[some_body]

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Hi

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or personal experiences with changing their advisor at their school of public health?

I really do not get along too well with my advisor who is just making life difficult for me. He/she is kind of a big star in her department, but he/she hates me. How do I change the advisor without rubbing him/her the wrong way and ending up totally messed up in the system?!

If anyone has had similar experiences, I would REALLY appreciate some good advice! 😕

 

[fantasty]

It may be hard to tactfully do it, but our dept head is very approachable. You might talk to the head of the dept (or degree program). I think it's best to explain that the chemistry isn't right with the current advisor (to the person who is helping you). But, the advisor probably won't take it personally. It's also helpful if you have an interest in a particular area and a faculty member in mind that might be a better match. (It's not uncommon for someone to request an advisor who specializes in infectious disease, for example).

 

[some_body]

Thank you. Unfortunately this advisor seems out to get me! Nothing I do or say is ever right!

I am pretty sure he/she is going to take it personally! What could happen in that scenario?! Even if I choose someone else, I worry that it might not work out. What if this person has influence over everyone else in that department and everyone is too chicken to go against him/her?! Like I said, this person is a big star in the dept! 🙁

 

[some_body]

Hi

Am still wondering if anyone out there with personal experience in this can give me some pointers or at least tell me how it went for you.

Thanks.

 

[RuralMedicine]

Thank you. Unfortunately this advisor seems out to get me! Nothing I do or say is ever right!

I am pretty sure he/she is going to take it personally! What could happen in that scenario?! Even if I choose someone else, I worry that it might not work out. What if this person has influence over everyone else in that department and everyone is too chicken to go against him/her?! Like I said, this person is a big star in the dept! 🙁

Are you sure that perhaps it isn't that your advisor just has high standards and is trying to challenge you. I can still remember my advisor who was a very assertive (and good) epidemiologist at our state health department. I actually selected her as my advisor (and at the time multiple students asked me why I would voluntarily subject myself to that). Yes I had a perhaps more aggressive curriculum than some students and she had mucho constructive criticism as I was preparing for one of my thesis defenses. In the end I think I ended up with a >3.9, received an award for outstanding student presentation for my final defense (I actually still remember finishing that and thinking WOW! at the end), and really got a great education. I think my advisor is partly responsible for that. Perhaps things aren't really as grim as they seem. (But if you're attending the same school I did I do have a friend who was assigned to the same advisor and developed a passion in the epidemiology of HIV at least partly to facilitate advisor switch and said advisor never flinched when said friend informed her of her decision.)