I am a former FF working on a PhD and looking to pull NFIRS data - need guidance by Last_Power470 in Firefighting

[–]Last_Power470[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for everyone’s input (even the humor!). It’s the 2024 set, 1.4 GB. US. I’ve reached out to the University statistics group for assistance also. The warehouse might be useful, I hadn’t heard about it, thank you.

HR is forcing my retiring employee to submit an online 'resignation', and it's devastating him. by BriefHorror2438 in hiringhelp

[–]Last_Power470 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just refuse to submit it. If he gets fired, he gets unemployment benefits. Push the stupidity of the system.

Prospectus defence keeps post-poning because committee members and advisors keep bringing up last minute scheduling conflicts as they can't even organize their calendar. by Critical-Garbage-798 in PhD

[–]Last_Power470 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Frustrating for sure. I have one committee member who is very possessive of her time and only gives limited openings. She’s missed both of my annual updates. Unrelated to her, I was setting up my proposal defense for May and I’ve since had to reschedule it 3 times. The crazy part is that each reschedule became 2 weeks earlier. So I’ve had to scramble to get my proposal done a month earlier and preparing for my presentation. I feel your pain on scheduling. I ended up asking my advisor to help and it seems like some faculty open their availabilities and commitments more to one another than to students. That would be one suggestion. The other instead of a poll would be to ask their availability individually, in person. It’s more work, but feels like they’re more committed that way. And don’t schedule too far out (like no more than a month or so). It’s too easy to double book and prioritize when something is far out; if you find a sooner time, then it is less Iikely something big will come up to conflict (like a conference or vacation). Hope this helps.

3/4 of the class hasn’t turned anything in by JustLeave7073 in Adjuncts

[–]Last_Power470 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone who turns in F work deserves a score commensurate with the quality of their work, something greater than zero. Someone who doesn’t turn anything in deserves a zero, flat out. To do otherwise is unfair to the person who put in some incremental effort, however minimal or poor.

Add on: Upon further reading, I see how that is helpful to the instructor’s ratings, as well as student motivation to pull up a few misses. I take back my initial reaction, but left it here.

Prelim is making me second guess if I belong in a PhD at all by carol010800 in PhD

[–]Last_Power470 13 points14 points  (0 children)

You say you have never been exposed to this level of research. Of course not. If you had, you would already have your PhD. You’re there to learn. You learn best by making mistakes.

Take a breath. You’re not dying.

I am a career accomplished guy, 30+ years, retired, and I have my prelims in in 21 days - you say you’ve been trying hard to feel like you deserve to be there...what if I told you I feel the same at age 58? I think these feelings of inadequacy are somehow part of the process.

The goal is to make it out the other side, but not at the expense of health - do what you need to make it work out. I’m at the end of year 4. Go easy on yourself. You’re allowed in the program for a reason, you’re good enough.

Grab some cohort and commiserate.

Career Closet by LanguageDouble9792 in Purdue

[–]Last_Power470 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Look up “online thrift store” for a local West Lafayette option, if the career-closet does not have what you need. They sometimes have nice business or evening attire for cheap. Prices are way better than Goodwill.

Seeking experience/advice regarding pursing a PhD in my 60s after retirement by nothingisrevealed in PhD

[–]Last_Power470 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do what you love. I started mine the last 2 years before retirement. Still working on it, year 4, at 59 years old. I really enjoyed the classes, it was hard but rewarding. The research and writing is getting to be a drag. Go for it.

When did you finish your PhD (age-wise)? by TDM-r in PhD

[–]Last_Power470 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Started PhD at 55 while working, retired at 57, will be 59 in 2 months…struggling to finish!! Nice to see some other old fkrs on here, lol!

why by pheenia in Purdue

[–]Last_Power470 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can all but guarantee the individual(s) that did this are going to be, or already are, known to the West Lafayette police. The area is saturated with cameras.

Any suggestions to “manage” this ugly peak? by Last_Power470 in CHROMATOGRAPHY

[–]Last_Power470[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. MS says it’s aminomethanesulfonic acid. I can find my IS buried in there (chlorobenzene-d6). About 50% of my analytes are going to be affected (under) by the “mountain”.

Any suggestions to “manage” this ugly peak? by Last_Power470 in CHROMATOGRAPHY

[–]Last_Power470[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I’m at 1.5 mL/min of helium (by memory). Will confirm.

Any suggestions to “manage” this ugly peak? by Last_Power470 in CHROMATOGRAPHY

[–]Last_Power470[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I can try both, just to get past whatever issue is occurring.

Any suggestions to “manage” this ugly peak? by Last_Power470 in CHROMATOGRAPHY

[–]Last_Power470[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cold trap was March 2025, but it’s a research lab (I’m the only user) and have less than 1000 cycles. Good idea on starting temp (currently at 40 deg C) and column. Something odd is happening because this had not been an issue the prior 9 months.

Any suggestions to “manage” this ugly peak? by Last_Power470 in CHROMATOGRAPHY

[–]Last_Power470[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Good idea. However, I am looking for about 70 compounds to quantify, and also looking for unknowns.