In 2013, I hiked Angels Landing at Zion National Park. I felt accomplished after reaching the summit! 

Until I joined my graduate program in 2014. The emotional and mental demands were overwhelming at times, marked by struggles with an abusive mentor and balancing graduate work with raising infants. 

Despite these challenges, I persevered through it all, unknowingly shaping the person I would become. 

Later on, I found benchwork to be mundane and unenjoyable. So I steered clear of academia and opted for a role in the medical writing industry. But my drive for creativity and innovation brought me back to academia, this time as an educator.

My career has not been a straight path - from earning a Ph.D. to working in science communication and eventually settling down in an academic job (which I love!), I wish to share strategies that helped shape my career path with graduate students and postdocs. 

Perhaps, these might live in the paradox of being cliche and yet, unique to my journey (only!). However, I truly believe in the power of repetition of words to keep one’s spirit alive.