A Decade’s Journey to a Doctorate: Proof that Persistence Trumps Perfection!
I first embarked upon my doctoral studies in 2014. A few years earlier, following the sudden and unexpected death of my father, I decided to leave my role as the in-house employment lawyer for the Asia-Pacific region at Goldman Sachs to ‘find myself’ and start a family. Whilst I was pregnant with my first child, I joined the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong as a Principal Lecturer and started an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion focused consulting, workplace training and executive coaching business. By 2014, my husband (an Australian pilot for Cathay Pacific) and I, along with our two young children, were enjoying life in Hong Kong, living in Clearwater Bay, a picturesque neighbourhood just minutes away from the beach. I had ambitions of finishing my research and thesis in record time and certainly ahead of the 6-year time limit within which I was expected to complete my studies. However, the journey to the conferment of my doctorate turned out to be a rollercoaster of challenges and changes that was to span a decade.
During this period, we uprooted our lives, moving homes and continents to settle in England. One year after our move came the devastation of my husband’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis and his subsequent passing. In the days that followed my husband’s death the first UK lockdown was announced, and I found myself caring for my bereaved children against the backdrop of working from home (I had just launched my consulting business in the UK) and home-schooling.
When the world returned to a semblance of normality, I decided to finish the building project my husband had started (he had knocked down an internal wall within the first month of moving into the house in England) by project managing a complete renovation of our family home. For the first six months of the rebuild I lived with my two cats, two dogs and two children in the master bedroom which came equipped with an ensuite bathroom, a kettle, a toaster, and a microwave! When the renovation was finally completed some 18 months later, I embarked upon a new career venture as a Legal Headhunter.
There were many times during this period when I felt so overwhelmed, I was unable to do anything but focus on getting through one day at a time. I had to suspend my studies for a year and made several requests for an extension. I went into my viva knowing that my efforts to date would fall short. The examiners did not spare me, giving me harsh but incredibly helpful feedback, and insisting on major amendments. I cried for days afterwards. Along with others (including my supervisors!), I questioned the wisdom – even the sanity – of persisting, but I did so because completing my doctorate held profound significance for me on multiple levels. Firstly, it represented a genuine professional interest and academic curiosity in my research subject (‘Why do women lawyers leave global law firms?’). Secondly, it became a symbol of resilience, a beacon of hope during a time when every fibre of my being was dedicated to getting through the day and holding my family together. To abandon my doctoral aspirations would have felt like surrendering a piece of myself. And finally, I wanted to set an example for my children – to show them that getting something done and having the confidence to put it out there matters more than ensuring it is perfect, and that perseverance in the face of adversity is a good choice and one worth making.
When reflecting on the past decade, I can’t help but see a correlation between my experience and themes interrogated in my thesis concerning women in the legal profession. In a world where societal expectations and systemic barriers often dictate the course of women’s careers, my own journey stands as a poignant testament to the profound impact of life events on professional trajectories. It reinforces the notion that women’s career paths are not linear but rather shaped by a complex interplay of personal, societal, and cultural factors.
Women’s careers in law are profoundly influenced by their life experiences, often more so than their male counterparts. In a profession where traditional notions of success and advancement are often defined by a narrow set of criteria, my experience underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of career progression—one that recognises the impact of life events on professional development and acknowledges the diverse paths taken by women in pursuit of their goals.
Ultimately, my journey to earning this doctorate is not just a personal achievement (I keep breaking into a smile. I honestly couldn’t be prouder of myself!) but also a reflection of the broader struggles and triumphs experienced by women in the legal profession. It serves as a reminder of the resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment demonstrated by women lawyers around the world, as they navigate the complexities of both their professional and personal lives. Hoorah to us!
