[The PhD Journey] - Road to Cambridge, UK. Part 1
- Desmond Teh
- Sep 22, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2024
Table of Content
My Intentional Journey: Why I’m Pursuing a PhD??
Discovering Purposes Beyond The Horizon
The Purposeful Pursuit
Suggestions? My Personal Advice
My Intentional Journey: Why Pursuing a PhD?
A common question from family and friends is, “Why are you doing this?” While many people my age are beginning to settle into their lives, I’m preparing to return to academics and pursue further studies. As those familiar with academia know, it’s not a particularly lucrative field. Securing a job after obtaining a PhD can be challenging due to overqualification in the current job market. Many people are curious about why I’d choose to re-enter such a demanding environment. In this article, I’ll explain my motivations and the purpose behind my decision to leave my 9-to-5 job and embrace a new challenge in the near future.
Well, many questions arose before I took this step. There was a lot of disappointment, self-doubt, anxiety, and frustration. Personally, I set my goals far in advance, even before entering university. I had already set the goal of earning a PhD before turning 30. I had a big vision: to use my knowledge to change the future of forests and inspire future generations to engage in this industry. However, reality hit hard. The journey was so difficult that I often questioned whether my efforts were truly worth it. I was harshly confronted by the cruel realities of life, and eventually, I surrendered to them. Balancing dreams and reality is challenging. Many times, I had to work multiple part-time jobs in the hope of keeping my dream alive. But as time passed, my passion for this dream gradually faded. Sometimes I would think, 'It wouldn’t hurt if I didn’t get a PhD, right?'
After earning my graduate degree, finding a job was easy, and life improved financially. I had the opportunity to travel, visit cafes, and enjoy better food. But emotionally, I wasn’t well. After working for a year and a half, I felt stagnant. I often asked myself, 'Is this the life I envision for my future?'; 'Should I take a leap of faith and try to pursue the dream again while I still have relatively few commitments?'; 'Is that kind of person you want to become in the next five years?'. From there, the preparation begins~
Discovering Purposes Beyond Horizon
The stagnant period was a game-changing time for me. I truly realized that if you want something, you have to go get it—nobody is going to give it to you. You really need to work for it. But first, what is the goal you truly want to achieve, and why do you want to achieve it? This is where discovering your purpose comes into play. It gives you a sense of passion that drives you forward when you face challenges along the way.
Discovering your purpose felt more like a mental practice for me. You need to take time to focus and reflect. Any method works—you can think while you're taking a shower or when you're in a café. You need to understand yourself and your values, draft your goals, set up timelines, articulate and pitch your ideas, monitor and quantify progress, and seek advice from seniors and teachers. These were my approaches when I felt lost and anxious. I’m grateful to have many good friends and advisors who were always there for me when I needed someone to listen or offer guidance. The process of discovering my purpose took up most of my time before I applied for my postgraduate degree.
Besides that, sacrifice and hard work are essential. The stagnant period also taught me that these are necessary to reach your goals. So work smart and make thoughtful decisions. What resources do you have, and what is holding you back from making things happen? I would always ask myself, 'What is the actual work I need to do to achieve this goal?' and 'What are the essential sacrifices I can make to make this happen?
Last but not least, accept the mistakes you've made and be yourself. There's nothing to be ashamed of. There will be so many failures that you'll feel like there's no tomorrow. It's frustrating and disappointing because you expected so much. I've failed so many times I've lost count. But at least I tried—sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Eventually, you'll learn something along the way as you build your staircase.
The Purposeful Pursuit
In short, my motivations to study for a PhD are as follows. It doesn't have to be much but its have enough to drive me ahead.
Improving myself in both skill and knowledge
During my working days, I often felt a profound sense of dissatisfaction. I realized I wasn’t gaining any new knowledge, developing valuable skills, or achieving the recognition I craved. Living paycheck to paycheck felt restrictive and uninspiring—it wasn’t the life I aspired to. Each day felt repetitive, as if I were stuck in a loop, going around in circles without making any real progress. My passion for learning had faded; I found myself no longer solving problems or engaging in meaningful work. This stagnation left me questioning my future, as I didn’t want to spend the next five years in a situation that felt so unfulfilling. Thus, I decided to give a PhD a shot and see where it takes me. I felt it was an opportunity to reignite my passion for learning, challenge myself intellectually, and open new doors for my future. It felt like the right step to break free from stagnation and pursue a path that truly aligns with my aspirations.
Follow my passion towards forests~~
I spent most of my university days learning and studying forests, and along the way, I met many friends who shared the same passion for these ecosystems. I hope to continue this journey as a full-time career, exploring new knowledge and technologies that can contribute to better ecosystems. A PhD degree is a crucial stepping stone for me to deepen our understanding of forests and make a meaningful impact on both the environment and the industries.
** Of course, working in a forest is very satisfying too! XD
I love writing the script of my life
Growing up, I was constantly told what to do, where to go, and what was considered right, with little control over my own decisions. I believe many people have felt the same way. It's not that I don't want to follow guidance or listen to advice—I still value that—but I want to take responsibility for my own life and the choices I make. I was raised with the belief that only careers like law, engineering, medicine or business would lead to success. But why should we measure success solely by money and fame, rather than by the memories and experiences we create? I've decided to pursue a path that excites me, one that aligns with my passions and gives me something to look forward to in the future. Although there were many uncertainties, I truly believed that I would gain valuable experiences and learn from past lessons to reduce the risks and uncertainties, ultimately allowing me to write the script for the life I chose.
Suggestions? My Personal Advice
If you're still considering a PhD, I strongly recommend taking the time to get to know yourself and your motivations before making this decision. A PhD requires a tremendous amount of dedication and sacrifice, often impacting your social life and taking away precious family time. You’ll face the frustration of repeated failures, the pressure of meeting publication deadlines, and the challenge of completing a dissertation. Mistakes are inevitable, and you’ll need to make countless revisions and corrections along the way. The journey is long and demanding, but if you're truly passionate about your field and willing to make these sacrifices, the rewards can be deeply fulfilling.
If you've decided to dive into the ocean of knowledge, welcome! But be prepared, because this ocean won't be gentle. You'll face rough waves and calm tides alike, and it will be up to you—and only you—to steer your ship through it all. The journey will test your resilience, but it also offers the chance to grow and discover more than you ever imagined. ** Hopefully I am well prepared too XD (fingers crossed). Here’s the advice I would offer if you’ve already decided to take the plunge:
Plan early, know your game
Stay ahead of the game. The earlier you start preparing, the better positioned you’ll be to navigate the challenges ahead. Stay alert to all deadlines, whether they’re for grant applications, conferences, or publications. Planning is key—think not only about how you’ll approach your research but also how you’ll conclude it. Consider how you want to end your project, and what your next steps will be once your PhD is complete. Having a clear vision for both your research journey and your post-PhD future will help keep you focused and motivated along the way.
Take baby steps and allow failures, twists and turns
Focus on your progress by taking small, consistent steps. Don’t rely on motivation alone; instead, build a habit of making even a little progress each day. Procrastination is okay as long as it doesn’t jeopardize your deadlines. And remember, allowing room for failure is essential—I've emphasized this because failure can hit hard, causing stress and discouragement. Learn to accept and dissolve stress and failure. **I will take boba tea or ice cream to make myself better XD. But it's through these setbacks that we often learn the most, so embrace them as part of the process. Believe in yourself, this is all part of the journey toward becoming a better version of you.
Just do it
We can’t predict the future, so sometimes the best thing to do is just take the leap. Successfully executing your plan is what truly matters—without action, even the best plan is just a piece of paper. Give it your all, and don’t hold back. Put in your best effort at every stage, because it’s the commitment and hard work that will ultimately lead to success.
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