Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don't let anyone limit your dreams. Donovan Bailey
My parents raised me with this principal. Simple as they may be, they educated me, a girl, to create my opportunities and reach for beyond the stars. Why do I stress on my gender? Because Islam and the Pakistani society has often been highlighted in the press, as a restrictive environment to grow up as a girl.
I grew up. And despite my initial academic failings, found my life’s passion in biological research. The zest to study the fundamental’s of life encompassed my very existence because I found it as a way to connect me closer to my God. I went on to get good grades, volunteer work in a laboratory and graduate with honours. I even was offered several scholarships for PhDs.
Seeking to enjoy all of life’s offerings and grow up with normal balanced aspirations, I took a year off from my studies, travelled and met the love of my life whom I married soon later. As a blushing but dutiful bride, I crossed half way across the world to the developed nations of USA and UK. Excited at the prospect of being accepted as an individual, with talents, dreams and ambitions similar to their own I tried to integrate. I did another masters, passing with flying colours and along the way convincing many of my capabilities.
Five years living in UK, and I still am hard pressed to find a job matching my education, skills and training. I have worked as a student ambassador, administrator,marketing analyst, after all a job is better than no job? But akin to someone losing their eyesight, I am loosing a part of me that makes me special. Is it my caste as a Pakistani, or my creed as a Muslim or my colour as an Asian that makes me unemployable? In my 30 years of existence, I have never been more restricted than my life of 5 years in the UK. It is far far worse that Pakistan, and that’s saying something!
Winston Churchill once said, ‘A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’ The optimist in me still applies for roles. Daily in fact. Despite the rejections I receive everyday. I even had one on my birthday. What can I do? Its not in my DNA to laze around and expect job seekers allowance. Whilst I can do a PhD, and get ‘free money’ to further my career ambitions, I see these as futile attempts to disguise my true aspirations. Having proven time and again, that I am capable for this work, I just hope that someone will have faith to join hands in partnership with someone different. Because at the present rate, current researchers have made no great scientific strides to cure the likes of ‘diseases’ we have today.
Winston Churchill once said, ‘A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’ The optimist in me still applies for roles. Daily in fact. Despite the rejections I receive everyday. I even had one on my birthday. What can I do? Its not in my DNA to laze around and expect job seekers allowance. Whilst I can do a PhD, and get ‘free money’ to further my career ambitions, I see these as futile attempts to disguise my true aspirations. Having proven time and again, that I am capable for this work, I just hope that someone will have faith to join hands in partnership with someone different. Because at the present rate, current researchers have made no great scientific strides to cure the likes of ‘diseases’ we have today.
