Profile

Meet Pradeep

Pradeep

Graduate Student

Chemical Engineering

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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

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Pradeep: Asking for Help

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Pradeep: Journaling

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Pradeep: Reflecting on Work Values

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Pradeep: Focusing on Self-Care

Another Point of View

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

Video Story

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

Video Story

Struggling with Self-Doubt

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

Meet Gerardo,

Graduate Student

Video Story

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

Video Story

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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