Page 70 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 5 | June - July 2024

What advice would you give to other women considering pursuing Did you encounter any biases or stereotypes due to starting your
a PhD or academic career later in life? academic career later in life, particularly as a woman?
My heartfelt advice is to passionately chase your dreams – it’s never I was among peers of different ages, including those in their 40s and
too late! Embrace your aspirations wholeheartedly and believe in professors from various universities. Some were my age, while others
your ability to achieve them. It is a journey that requires resilience were younger graduates. Luckily, I felt supported and connected
and determination, but it is also incredibly rewarding. As someone easily with many, like an older sibling. There were no prejudices
who has balanced the multiple roles of being a mother, wife, and or stereotypes. I remember my difficulty with my first PowerPoint
caregiver, I can attest to the power of efficient time management. presentation, which my children and friends helped me with.
It is the key to juggling these responsibilities. The experiences and What accomplishments are you most proud of in your academic
perspectives you bring are invaluable, and a PhD can be a powerful career?
way to enrich your own life and also the lives of others through the
contributions you make. Honestly, my greatest source of pride lies in my role as a mother. I am
extremely proud of my children. All other accomplishments come
How do you think your perspective and approach to academia after this pivotal role. Both my children have successfully completed
differ from those who pursued it earlier in life? their Master’s degrees, with my eldest now considering a PhD. Both

Our approaches to academia varied considerably. While some have chosen careers in education, with my eldest teaching at The
embarked on their PhD journey immediately after completing University of Sydney and the younger working as a kindergarten
their master’s degree, retaining fresh knowledge, I had to catch teacher. Following the completion of my PhD, an opportunity
up significantly as my existing knowledge had become outdated. arose to establish two schools in Bangkok alongside a friend, one
What I once knew no longer applied, necessitating extensive of which is the Kids Kingdom International Kindergarten, and
pre- and post-reading efforts to bridge the gap. That said, life I was involved with another school in Chiang Mai that my family
experiences played a significant role. While others embraced established.
modern technology in lectures, taking notes on their computers, In what ways do you think your academia can better support
I adhered to a more conventional method, using pen and paper. individuals who pursue their academic careers later in life?
My children assisted me by typing out notes and my dissertation
on the computer. I find writing to be a more intuitive and cathartic Aligning your aspirations with your personal goals is crucial, especially
process, allowing my thoughts to flow seamlessly from pen to paper. when it comes to pursuing a PhD. It’s not just about earning the title
of ‘doctor;’ it should be a journey that deeply supports and enhances
your career. I’ve been teaching since I was 18 and throughout my
journey, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of a career
in academia and higher studies – it’s opened doors, deepened my
understanding, and allowed me to make a meaningful impact in
the lives of my students. Pursuing a PhD is about personal growth,
passion and making a contribution.

What inspired you to pursue a PhD and academic career later in life?

Initially, I followed my spontaneous desires without much direction.
Feeling dissatisfied with my personal life, I made a conscious decision
to pursue a professional career. Recognising my inclination for self-
direction, I sought to establish a career path that allowed for autonomy.
Pursuing a PhD aligned with this goal, particularly in an area that
resonated with my personal interests.

What challenges did you face during your academic journey,
particularly considering your decision to pursue it later in life?

The obstacles I encountered primarily revolved around health issues and
family matters, which were deeply interconnected and consequently
quite formidable. During my PhD journey, I initially didn’t fully grasp
the extent of their interrelation. Looking back, I now realise how stress
from family concerns could significantly impact one’s health. My
health began to deteriorate significantly midway through my studies,
with no clear diagnosis in sight. Taking matters into my own hands,
I conducted personal research and adjusted my diet, managing to
maintain a certain level of health while keeping up with my academic
DR. SUNILA SUPAVADEEPRASIT commitments. Amidst this, my father suffered a brain injury, and
fortunately, I was present at the time to organise his medical care and
Sunila Supavadeeprasit has resided on four continents, and worked subsequent surgery. This necessitated a temporary pause in my studies
at a Dutch Bank after her bachelor’s in Business Administration, as I remained to care for him during his recovery, especially after he
specialising in Finance. Following the dissolution of her marriage, required further surgery.
she refocused on her career and academia, earning a master’s degree
in Industrial/Organisational Psychology, before she pursued a PhD Thankfully, he eventually recovered fully, without any cognitive
in Australia. She now resides there in New South Wales, where she impairments. Pursuing my PhD at a later stage in life meant that my
works as a Clinical Psychologist. parents, being older, required additional care and attention as well.

70 | MASALA MAGAZINE JUN-JUL 2024