{"id":67711,"date":"2021-06-26T11:48:49","date_gmt":"2021-06-26T11:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=67711"},"modified":"2021-06-26T11:48:49","modified_gmt":"2021-06-26T11:48:49","slug":"my-phd-journey-by-uma-panch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/my-phd-journey-by-uma-panch\/","title":{"rendered":"My PhD Journey – by Uma Panch"},"content":{"rendered":"

My PhD Journey – by Uma Panch<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps \u2014 we must step up the stairs\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/em>Vance Havner<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"My<\/p>\n

Source:<\/span><\/strong>Uma Panch Medium<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Those who know me would have heard me talk nonstop about my aspirations to pursue a PhD since 2017.\u00a0T<\/span>his aspiration was seeded in my mind when I was studying my I was studying for my\u00a0Master of International Tourism and Hospitality Management<\/strong>\u00a0at\u00a0The Hotel School, Sydney<\/strong>. An environment that nurtured and nourished my passion and purpose. I am pleased to share that I thrived with four awards including the\u00a0DUX Award<\/strong>\u00a0for\u00a06.7\/7 GPA<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0Entrepreneur Award<\/strong>\u00a0for my positive contribution to society. This morning I decided to pause, review and reflect on my journey thus far. I think it\u2019s time to take a moment to share a piece of great news, some challenges and wins over the past two years.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am mighty glad to announce that I have finally embarked on my PhD journey, starting with a Master of Research, leading to a PhD program at\u00a0Western Sydney University<\/strong>\u00a0with the\u00a0School of Business<\/strong>.\u00a0Yay! This calls for some champagne!<\/em>. My topic of research revolves around \u201cMindfulness for Workplace Wellness<\/strong>\u201d.\u00a0A purpose and passion-driven project<\/em>. My supervisors are\u00a0Dr Pheroza Daruwalla<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Dr Karina Wardle<\/strong>, I could have never asked for anything more. Many have told me that the success of your PhD depends significantly on your supervisors, and I\u2019m so blessed to have such experienced, knowledgeable and supportive supervisors. So far, I have performed exceptionally well with high distinctions in my course work and looking forward to this exciting journey of learning, growing and contributing.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

All this sounds super cool and smooth, right? Not really.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The silver lining<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

While I can breathe a sigh of relief, it has not been an easy ride. I encountered so many challenges, roadblocks and, at one point, total saturation. Everything from topic and university selection, supervisor match, the application process, research proposal, everything in between, was quite overwhelming and exhausting. In 2020 April, I decided to break from the madness and travel to clear my mind. But the universe had different plans for me. With COVID 19, my flight ticket was cancelled, and I was stuck. Initially, I felt trapped, but COVID gave me new perspectives. Within the next few months, I had a crystal clear direction for my PhD, and that was a silver lining for me in the COVID crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back to University<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

One would think that you would be excited for the first day of uni, and so did I think. But that was not the case. What was interesting was what happened on the big day.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I broke down big time!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"My<\/p>\n

Rewind: 10 am 5th March 2021<\/strong>, my first day at week 0 of the MRes program, I logged into zoom for my first unit, Research and Development 1, with tears flooding my eyes and rolling down my chubby cheeks, petrified about my research and academic life ahead. This was very uncharacteristic for a headstrong and heart strong women like me. One compulsive question from my inner villain\u2019s voice that clouded my mind was,\u00a0\u201cUma, what have you got me into? I did not sign up for this?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Here is where my inner hero stepped up and said,\u00a0\u201cUma, feel the fear and do it anyway. You\u2019ve got this, and I\u2019ve got your back.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2026.True story!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Fast Forward to 25th May 2021<\/strong>, I am glad and proud of how far I have come. This was and will not be easy, but I know it will be absolutely worthwhile. With a laser focus and tunnel vision, I am super confident that I will make my one and only master vision for a Doctorate degree a reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A note of thanks\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I want to take this opportunity to thank some of the outstanding people who believed in me, who identified that I was a PhD product before I knew it. A big thanks to you!<\/span><\/p>\n

A researchers life is high maintenance. The next few years are going to be intensely demanding for\u00a0all of me<\/strong>. I can already feel the heat, and I am pretty busy juggling my academic, professional and personal life. But I am not afraid because\u00a0MINDFULNESS<\/strong>\u00a0is my armour.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks to my family and friends who are offering help and encouragement. My brother has been a pillar of support and said\u00a0\u201cUma, let\u2019s do this whatever it takes\u201d<\/em>. My mum\u00a0\u201cUma, there are no PhDs in our family and I am thrilled you will be the first. My dad \u201cI will be so proud to say my daughter is Dr Uma\u201d. My lovely sister so supportive of my social enterprise.\u00a0<\/em>One of my lovely friends called me and said,\u00a0\u201cI am so excited about your research journey. What can I do to make your life easy? I can cook food, make sure you take adequate rest and socialise\u201d.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Burnt toast and undried clothes<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"My<\/p>\n

Most importantly, thanks to my lovely sons who have patiently put up with my busyness and craziness. Burnt food, undried clothes and missed calls have become the new normal ;-). Thanks to my laser vision and tunnel focus, the world around me shuts down when I am engaged in research. So far I am doing pretty good as a full-time academic, trainer and coach, part-time mother (mum often missing in action) and a casual homemaker (messy home)\u2026My rationale\u2026. the home must be amusing and not a museum\u2026 lol.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Jokes apart, while there were many critical challenges, I took detours and breaks but did not give up on my vision. What drives me to be persistent in the pursuit of knowledge is the quest to make a difference in the lives of others and contribute to knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

That is my vision, what is yours?<\/span><\/p>\n

You see, if your\u00a0<\/em>WHY<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is big enough, your<\/em>\u00a0HOW<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0will make its way.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A small insight\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was my grit, perseverance and determination, most specifically my tunnel vision, that helped me navigate through rough times.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next time you decide to chase a dream, start with these 5W and 1H questions.<\/span><\/p>\n