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Pradeep

❝

I am actually cut out for this kind of work. It’s just that I wasn’t working on the right kind of problems that excited me in the right kind of environments.

Pradeep
Graduate Student
Chemical Engineering
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Struggling with Self-Doubt
Challenge Areas:

Struggling with Self-Doubt

Pradeep began his graduate program at MIT excited by his research and internship work, but his motivation faded as the COVID lockdown began and he struggled to define a research focus. Pradeep procrastinated and questioned whether he was cut out to do research. After a demoralizing conversation with his advisor, Pradeep connected with a mentor who helped him reflect on his values and recognize that he is most inspired by applied research and collaborative work. When he aligned his projects with his values, he felt confident and excited by his research again.

❝

I am actually cut out for this kind of work. It’s just that I wasn’t working on the right kind of problems that excited me in the right kind of environments.

Pradeep
,
Graduate Student

Pradeep

’s Strategies

Another Point of View

Listen to other students relating to this same struggle and what helped them cope.

  • Read more: Neki

    Struggling with Self-Doubt

    If I quit now, there are stereotypes waiting to get confirmed, something like, what do you expect from a foster kid? So quitting was not an option.

    Meet

    Neki
    Visiting Graduate Student
  • Read more: Gerardo

    Struggling with Self-Doubt

    I kept on kind of questioning my ability to be here, my competencies.

    Meet

    Gerardo
    Graduate Student
  • Read more: Mary

    Struggling with Self-Doubt

    Facing the quals challenge really made me feel like I was not necessarily going to be competent enough to do it. I might not even be capable of doing it.

    Meet

    Mary
    Graduate Student
  • Read more: Jennifer

    Defining a Dissertation Project

    I internalized the fact that I did not know what I was working on as an inadequacy of myself and not being good enough, smart enough to think of an idea.

    Meet

    Jennifer
    Graduate Student

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    DoingWell

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