u/East-Box-1683

I’m an Ivy League PhD program where it’s highly competitive. Everyone is very successful by academia standards. Among my cohort of 9 people, I’d say the accomplishments on my CV are closer to the bottom.

Since starting our PhD, we’ve been sharing about our research interests in class. Unfortunately, due to funding cut, I had to completely change my research questions to tailor to my PI who has funding, although my topic is similar. My new research interest is highly fundable, and I’ve been the only one who holds a Graduate Researcher position, while others are acting as a Teaching Assistant or paying out of pocket. My classmates are very wealthy, except me, so I don’t think they mind paying out of pocket.

My PI is very proud of me, but I realized a mentor (not in my committee) was completely disappointed in me because I changed my research interests. Recently, my classmates found out about my new research questions, and a few seemed they were ready to fight me when I presented in class. They even made comments in a judgmental tone on how I changed my research topics after I presented.

My friend in my cohort said they’re just jealous because the other classmates didn’t expect me to do succeed since I entered as one of the students among the bottom. Why does it seem like they’re targeting me simply because I wanted to change my topic so I can be funded?

At work, there’s this older white woman who does not directly work with me. I never really had issues with her. I had a personal issue with a BIPOC colleague who used to be a close friend. Ever since this white woman found out about my friendship, she has been protective of the former friend and going her way out to criticize my work. She doesn’t do it too harsh but in a way to get on my nerves whenever I present.

Everyone is scared of her because she’s close to the two biggest directors in our organization. Do I tolerate her since I only barely interact with her? I see her once a week. I’ll be seeing her less since our project is ending soon. Her department will be moved to the new building in a month, so we won’t collaborate anymore.

I got accepted into a respected PhD program in epidemiology. My assigned advisor is a surgeon. I met with him, and he seemed to be nice. However, when I talked with him about my interest, he didn’t really seem to understand the basics of design.

I did my MPH in Epidemiology and worked as a an epidemiologist for a few years. Study design is my strength and a skill that I hope to improve.

Will I get the training I get with my advisor? Should I request to change?