At the end of a long, grueling year in my life, I failed the qualifying examination for my doctorate. Twice. In many PhD programs, there is a qualifying exam—often referred to as the "comprehensive exam" or "Advancement to Candidacy Exam"—and it is a pivotal milestone. It is designed to assess whether a student has mastered […]
It’s the best advice I’ve ever received—and it came from my mother when I was a child. Back then, the risks were small: trying out for the volleyball team, asking a teacher for feedback. But those moments were practice. They taught me how to sit with discomfort, take initiative, and trust my instincts. That same […]
One summer morning, still half-asleep, my mom started a conversation that would linger with me long after. She told me about a student in her class who had openly asked her opinion on people who identify as LGBTQ. Her response was both honest and unsettling: she said she had no strong opinions about the community […]
The Emerging Women Leaders (EWL) Program is a career mentorship program for doctoral students at Boston University School of Public Health. It aims to inspire and support the next generation of leaders by equipping them with essential skills and insights to advance their professional development and thrive in their current or future careers. At the […]
I am often asked, “What’s your secret for working full-time, raising three children, and pursuing your doctoral degree?” I simply utter my scripted answer: “only by the grace of God.” In truth, though faith in God is my constant companion, grief led the leap into this journey. In November 2018, my dad suggested that I […]
Rejection can be disheartening, but learning how to recover and grow from it is essential. During the Emerging Women Leaders seminar “Reflections on Rejections” led by Dr. Sarah Lipson, we engaged in an insightful conversation about handling rejections in our careers. Here are the three lessons I took away: Know When to Move On Early […]
Starting a doctoral journey is a huge commitment. While I knew this before I started my program, I don’t think I fully understood the extent of this commitment until I was in it. There is a constant onslaught of assignments and tasks to complete, as well as milestones to hit. The journey seems never-ending, from […]
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become not just a good leader, but an inspiring mentor in the field of public health? Earlier this year, I discovered the answer through a mentorship training program, hosted by Emerging Women Leaders at the Boston University School of Public Health, where I am a student. After […]