For Priti Thapa, choosing to study abroad later in life led to research that challenged traditional intergenerational patriarchal notions of who gets to be included in the local fishing industry.

Where are you from?

I am from the mountains of the Himalayas and belong to the tiny Gorkha community in India. I find Newfoundland quite like where I come from in terms of the natural beauty and slow pace of life. Here, people have time to connect with nature and others.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

I love travelling and exploring new places and cultures. I have been across Newfoundland and found the remote towns like Bonavista and national parks like Gros Morne breathtakingly beautiful. There are so many scenic hiking trails in and around St John’s that I try to discover, there are still so many I have to explore.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?

Being academically inclined, I had always wanted to pursue a PhD, but somehow got lost in the maze of living life and fulfilling its expectations. Despite doing an MBA from a premier institute and having a full-fledged career in India, I always felt there was a void. When I was nearly fifty, I decided that it was never too late to realize my dreams and decided to quit all to pursue a PhD. With my wanderlust, doing a PhD abroad was very appealing, and I started looking for options.

Why did you choose Memorial University for your graduate studies?

I chose Memorial University because, based on reviews and feedback, it appeared to be an ideal blend of what any student would look for. It offers a range of academic programs taught by good faculty while having affordable fees. Moreover, it has a diverse student population, including international students. On digging deeper, I realized that the Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) had reputed faculty and was engaged in research in areas like well-being, DEI, sustainability and other areas that appealed to my changing perspective on work and life. I liked that the faculty was engaging in research that encouraged more responsible management practices. This “Business not as usual” principle of the FBA, which I found is consistently demonstrated by its faculty, challenged my conventional business wisdom and finally shaped my perspective.

What is your research/thesis about? How do you describe your research to a general audience with no background in the field?

My research is on inclusion through social enterprises. I am engaged in ethnographic research in Fishing for Success, a social enterprise based in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, that advocates and practices inclusion. It challenges the intergenerational patriarchal notion that women are bad luck in the boat and supports fishing for marginalized individuals, including women. As someone with an intersectional marginalized identity, research in this area is important and gratifying for me. As I yearned, I am finally engaged in work that is in equal parts meaningful, impactful and fun.

How would you describe your experience as a graduate student at Memorial?

Once you arrive here, you realize the amount of flexibility and choices you must choose what you want to ultimately pursue. My latent interest in engaging in meaningful research with a positive impact became a realizable academic goal when I came to know about the field of social enterprise after arriving here, and was offered funding by my supervisor, Dr. John Schouten, who is the Canada Research Chair in Social Enterprise. I am now working on research which applies socially impactful Human Resource management principles in the context of social enterprises.

I went for a PhD in Management, expecting the norm, but pathways emerged in ways I never expected. For all the odds I faced, I had enablers who helped me overcome challenges, like my research supervisor and the School of Graduate Studies, who offered me funding and support, as well as the faculty of FBA, who helped me develop an extraordinary perspective. The funding helped me focus fully on my academics and the learnings shaped my life. I have also had the opportunity to do a research assistantship, a teaching assistantship, teach as a course instructor and have been encouraged to present papers in academic conferences. I have had the opportunity to co-author a paper which has been published in a reputed journal. All these are important for building one’s academic profile, and I am deeply grateful to my supervisor and others in this university who made this possible.

What scholarships or awards have you received?

I have received the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Financial Group Graduate scholarship for three consecutive years. The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) and the Canada Research Chair (CRC) have provided me with funding.

Have you faced any challenges in life that you’ve overcome to pursue graduate studies?

Going back to graduate school so late in life has been challenging and rewarding. Considering myself not as technically savvy and socially a misfit amongst my younger colleagues initially made me feel diffident. I realized that the limitations that come with age and the hardships faced as an international student could be overcome with an unwavering sense of purpose and enablers who supported me to do well enough to maintain my academic track record. The rewards of overcoming my own mental and physical barriers have been most fulfilling. The fulfillment of achieving my dream and living life on my terms has enhanced my well-being and given me renewed purpose.

What career path are you interested in pursuing after graduation?

I intend to pursue an academic career through teaching and continue to do socially impactful research work. I have also kept other options open and may get into policy-related roles or consultancy work. The common denominator for all these roles is the desire to touch people’s lives positively. The tremendous impact a few enablers have had throughout my life fills me with hope about their silent strength and influence.

What advice would you give to current or future graduate students?

My advice to graduate students is to overcome the barriers in your mind and thrive through challenges by doing what it takes to succeed without punishing yourself. The pressures of student life, especially as an international student trying to integrate and thrive in a new culture, may overwhelm you. Not only integration into the larger culture, but also academic acculturation is needed, since it can be very different from where you came from. For this, you will need to be vigilant, learn the ropes quickly and have a positive attitude. For doctoral studies, the journey is especially long and lonesome, while the rewards seem too distant and wavering. Keeping faith and focus while smartly completing each milestone at a time is important. Reach out for help and, in turn, help others. Be kind to yourself and others, celebrate your progress, and remember that your journey is not only about the degree but about the person you are becoming along the way. Enjoy the journey even as you work to make it meaningful and worthwhile.

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