S10,EP 301: Dissertation Derailed! Old Guy PhD Entry No. 2 with Scott Jennings

Step inside year two of Scott Jennings’ PhD journey—a raw, honest, and unexpectedly dramatic chapter of the Build America Podcast. This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to pursue a doctorate while juggling a full career in construction.Scott shares long weekends spent buried in research, late-night study sessions, conference presentations, and the academic pressures no one warns you about. But the biggest twist? After months of work and nearly 300 research papers reviewed… he discovers his planned dissertation topic already exists. Topic rejected. Back to zero.Instead of quitting, Scott recalibrates, pivots to a new research direction, and finds fresh motivation to push forward. If you’re curious about what the PhD path looks like—especially later in life—or you’re navigating your own academic or career setbacks, this is a must-listen.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What year two of a PhD program actually demandsThe difference between coursework and dissertation realityThe hidden expectations behind conference papers and presentationsHow Scott handled discovering his dissertation idea was already publishedThe new research direction he’s pursuingHow to stay motivated when your biggest plans fall apartThis episode is part inspiration, part reality check, and all about perseverance.💬 Connect with Scott JenningsWebsite: sjcivil.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-jennings-p-e-1435103Email: [email protected] this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to rate, follow, and review—it helps more listeners in construction and engineering find the show.BuildAmericaPodcast, PhDJourney, DissertationLife, OldGuyPhD, EngineeringEducation, ConstructionIndustry, DoctoralStudent, ResearchSetback, LifelongLearning, HeavyCivilConstruction, GroundwaterControl, ShoringMethods, AcademicResearch