Page 58 - Masala E-magazine Vol 9 Issue 4 February-March 2018

COMMUNITY

Caree r: Off the Beaten Path

Raveena Kalra
Former Mathematics Teacher at KPIS

What is your ‘never say never’ experience?
One of the more diffi cult questions I faced in school was: “what do you want
to be when you grow up?” Did I want to be a doctor? I was fi ne with seeing
blood, but I couldn’t stomach organic chemistry. My family and friends
suggested I become a teacher for the work-life balance, good pay, and they
thought I’d excel at it. One thing though… I was terrifi ed of public speaking.
My thoughts…Teacher? Me? Never!

So what made you choose differently?
Three years and a physiology degree later, it was decision time. Looking at the
options available to me, I decided that becoming a teacher just made sense. I
did my teacher’s training in London, taught at KPIS for two years and actually
loved the experience. I earned several feathers in my cap as a teacher,
managing to motivate students who normally struggled in the classroom. Looking at the
“ options available to
What came out of your experience? me, I decided that
I moved to Australia after getting married, and I am weighing up career
options yet again. I have said in the past that I would not teach in Australia, but becoming a teacher
“
now I know better than to say, “never!” just made sense.

Narisa Phinichkusolchit

PhD in Cancer Sciences (University of Glasgow)

What is your ‘never say never’ experience?
If anyone had asked me three years ago if I wanted to pursue a PhD, I would
have said, “never.” Another four years of studying was a large commitment
in itself; but another four years that were notoriously known to be tough,
which may not have been funded, and most likely have to be completed
away from home, was something I had never imagined myself doing.
Currently, though, I’m in my second year of the PhD programme!

What events led to your decision to pursue a PhD?
It all changed after I did a lab-based placement year in the pharmaceutical
industry. Not only did my experience in research and development motivate
me to continue in science to help pioneer new treatments for diseases, but
it also made me realise that I was up for the challenges a PhD would throw
my way.

What did you learn from your choice?
My passion and enjoyment I believe I have grown to become more resilient, confi dent and
“ for discovering new things independent. My passion and enjoyment for discovering new things has
only grown since I have begun my PhD and I sincerely hope to make my
has only grown since I have
has only grown since I have mark in the scientifi c world.
“
begun my PhD...

58 Masala Magazine
FEBRUARY - MARCH 2018