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Career in Academics
By Dr. Geetali Phookan
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
“If Opportunity does not knock, build a Door”
Milton Berle
Greetings to all my dear friends! Well my name is Geetali Phookan and today I am sharing my career journey with you all. Mine journey is not something unique or different from others it is similar dream of every small town girl who believe in dreams. Yes, we should dream and believe me, aim for the stars definitely you will reach the sky.
I was born in Diphu, KarbiAnglong, one of the most backward district of Assam, to a lower middle class family. Both my parents were govt. employees and they always taught us the value of education and money. I started my schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya Diphu. From my school days I got expose to many friends from other part of the country. In fact, this has helped me to perceive the world from a new perspective.
After, my Board exams my parents decided to send me to Guwahati. So, I started my Higher Secondary from Ascent Academy. After my 12th I thought to get admission in Delhi University or either I want to peruse integrated 5 years Law. At that time integrated law course was not introduced in Assam. And as I was very young, my parents were hesitate to send me to study outside Assam. At that moment I thought my dreams has been shattered.
Any ways, I got admission in Degree College and opted Political Science as my Major subject. After my graduation I got admission for Master Degree in Gauhati University. During my Master’s Days I started to search for more opportunities in Academics. So, I started to prepare myself for Phd entrance in Central Universities. I sat for Central University written Entrance Examination in Guwahati and my centre was Cotton College. After clearing my written examination, I was called by the University for Personal Interview in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This time I was confident enough to face the real world. And finally, all my age old dreams came true when I got selected in 4th position and hence, I enrolled myself in integrated MPhil/Phd. Programme at the Centre for Gandhian Thought and Peace Studies, School of Social Sciences, Central University of Gujarat.
Henceforth, I begin my research career with a full time fellowship provided by University Grant Commission (UGC). After, completing MPhil. I had applied for (Indian Council for Social Science Research) ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship. A very few research scholar all over India used to get selected for ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship. The fellowship is provided according to the credibility of a particular research work. I was lucky enough that out of many students from our University only six students got selected and I was one among them got selected for the fellowship. Working with ICSSR is an amazing journey as I have explored much new information of academics. During my Phd. work I had presented my research papers in International and National seminar, attended many research methodology workshops and also got my work published in UGC journal.
At present, I am working on a book to get publish in collaboration with my Phd. Supervisor.
So, here are some points I would mention here which will help you all to choose a career in academics after MA /MSc.
i) Try to clear NET, SLET exam when you are in Masters
ii) Try to choose a Central University or Research institution which will provide you full funds while you do your Phd.
iii) Opt for 3-4 universities/ institutions, because there is a huge competition for the enrollment process.
iv) The process to get enrolled in Phd. entrance in Central University has two steps- First you have to clear the written examination and after that there will be interview process.
v) The students from vernacular medium always hesitant to speak in English, it is advisable to everyone donot feel shy while expressing yourself, because English is just a language. And to be precise, the students of Assam are grammatically very much good in English; it is only their fear of expression.
These are some of my experience which I have shared with you. Hope, this will help to guide yourself to choose your career. Scope in academics is very wide, it is not at all necessary that one should wind up only in teaching rather; there are many research opportunities where one can enrolled themselves as scientist or research associate. One can also apply for Post Doctoral Fellowship in IITs or in foreign Universities.
Always, be confident and focus on your ultimate goal. Last but not the least I would conclude “Donot give up, Only, I can change my life.. No one can do it for me”.