[googley]

I'm so angry with my adviser right now. I have to leave for work, so I will post more later, but I had to get this out.

[googley]

So here is what happened.

I was meeting with a student to use her computer. She was going to meet with our adviser while I used her computer (I needed to use one of the specific programs she had). Her computer wouldn't load so I had to stop by my professors office so she could try starting it with her password instead of the guest account (that wasn't working.) As I walked away from the office once she was able to get it to work I heard my adviser saying "I'm glad we didn't leave (sometimes he goes to the campus center with people to meet,) I just knew she was going to have problems with this." So it is my fault that my friend's computer didn't work? He thinks I'm incompetent when it comes to using computers and this program specifically? WTH?! It isn't my fault that he hasn't gotten his computer fixed in the last six months so that I could use it to do the research (he also has the computer program). I can deal with the negative review from him. What I cannot deal with is him badmouthing me to other students!

[salukigirl]

That is extremely unprofessional. My friend went through the same thing. A student asked a professor if he knew my friend and the prof replied "yeah....I don't like him". Just flat out like that.

I don't really have a solution except to try and be the bigger person. If this adviser acts like this enough, he wont last long.....unless he's tenured. Then they're invincible. Have you tried to express your concern to someone who might be able to talk to him about it? He needs to realize that, no matter your personal opinions, you don't talk about students like that to other students.

[Elana05]

Oh, dear Googley...
I know I would feel the same way - and be mad.

This guy just sounds like a jerk. Try to just let it go. Be the better person and all that. I bet he's a jerk to a lot of other people. It's not your problem... you understand computers, you understand the program... and he can go on about whatever he wants to. I know it is hard. (I am really trying to work on this one too). But people can say all kinds of cr*p. I'm sure there were those around Bill Gates in college who were like, "he doesn't know anything." Didn't Bill Gates even drop out? People will talk and go on about whatever they go on about. Just let it roll off your back.

Hugs

Elana

[Fresia]

Googley, I completely understand why you'd be mad. It was uncalled for and unprofessional. At the same time, the advisor really didn't know what he/she was talking about; making a snap judgment based on incomplete information which is just as bad as the effect it caused. Another example of speaking before thinking, inconsideration, and unprofessionalism.

You didn't deserve this at all. Know that. Ignore them, really. You know what is true.

[englishteacher]

Very unprofessional behavior. Professors should not discuss you with other students. It is actually invading your privacy.

[Perna]

What if the software is difficult to use and often doesn't work right and/or you haven't had much occasion to use it? I'd be glad the adviser was glad they hadn't left so the student would be there to help since it wasn't on your machine and didn't work well on hers, and leave it at that. The adviser probably has trouble with the software too?

[Travelinglady]

Yeah, let's hope that Perna's take on the matter is the proper angle--that HE knew the computer was a pain in the behind, so he wasn't surprised when it didn't work. So, maybe he didn't mean it so personally....But, that said, I would be wondering, too. If he did mean it as an insult, then that was certainly wrong and "unprofessional." As the other folks suggested, though, try to consider the source. He just might be a jackass. Alas, advisers do tend to have our lives in their hands, so it would certainly be best if you could try to work through your anger and move on. I'll give him an imaginary kick in the pants, anyway, on your behalf--Ka Pow!

[googley]

Originally Posted by Perna

What if the software is difficult to use and often doesn't work right and/or you haven't had much occasion to use it? I'd be glad the adviser was glad they hadn't left so the student would be there to help since it wasn't on your machine and didn't work well on hers, and leave it at that. The adviser probably has trouble with the software too?

Too bad he knew nothing about the computer I was going to use, and knows that I have extensive experience working with this program, both generally and (less but still experience) working with it the way I was going to. He is having trouble with the software- but the problem with the computer was not with the software I was going to use, it was with the login of the computer itself.

I am trying to believe that he was trying to say something along the lines of "well, she has had really bad luck with this project, this just adds to that" but it is really hard to do. The tone just didn't sound like that, and he tends to run very hot or very cold. And he seems to switch on his own schedule.

[Perna]

Too, since you were leaving, they could have been picking up where they left off before you got there? Maybe "this" was something else and "she" was someone else. There could have been a phone call or someone else could have been there before you, etc.

Was the other student working on the same project? "With this" seems an odd choice of words if they were working on something else, her project or portion instead of yours.

He could have been berating himself, since he knew "she" was going to have problems; maybe he was disgusted with himself (as it sounds like he should be more often :-) because he didn't act on his knowledge and make sure things were running more smoothly.

[googley]

Originally Posted by Perna

Too, since you were leaving, they could have been picking up where they left off before you got there? Maybe "this" was something else and "she" was someone else. There could have been a phone call or someone else could have been there before you, etc.

Was the other student working on the same project? "With this" seems an odd choice of words if they were working on something else, her project or portion instead of yours.

He could have been berating himself, since he knew "she" was going to have problems; maybe he was disgusted with himself (as it sounds like he should be more often :-) because he didn't act on his knowledge and make sure things were running more smoothly.

No, it was definitely about me. I was there for about 20 minutes as their meeting went on, easier for me to stay than for my friend to have to come and give me the computer in the other office when she had it worked out. They did some talking about her project, and he did a lot of trying to find contact information for someone they both knew. There was no other 'she' or 'her' that he could have been talking about.

Maybe he was berating himself. I will have to let that thought sit and see how it feels. Whether or not it feels right. It feels like it would be nice to think he was being hard on himself for once.