Life and Career Update: Move to the United States
Commencing a PhD in Public and Urban Policy at the New School, New York.
If you’re following me on other platforms, you may have heard about this already, but in case you haven’t, I had a big life and career shift in August 2023. On August 21st, I commenced pursuing a PhD in Public and Urban Policy at the Milano School of Public Policy, one of the Schools of Public Engagement at the New School, New York, USA.
In some ways, this is a huge shift for me. In other ways, it feels like a natural next step in a research career that is now 10 years old (Note: although I began working in 2011, I didn’t shift to research until early 2013). While I’ve considered a PhD before, a part of me had leaned towards remaining in Bengaluru and building a more experimental research career. However, such experiments come with their costs — in particular, being taken seriously as a researcher. When I slowly began hitting growth barriers, I knew it was time to take the plunge.
However, I don’t want anyone to think I was forced into the plunge. While I’m frustrated about academia mandating such high levels of sacrifice, there is another, bigger, part of me that loved (and continues to love) the idea of a PhD. After 12 years of work, I believe deeply in the value of on-ground practice and “doing things”. Still, I’m also convinced that as long as practitioners don’t give themselves the time to engage, and reflect deeply upon their arena of work, their on-ground practice will be superficial. While there are many ways to engage and reflect, a well-structured PhD program remains a great space to do so, to improve your work and yourself. This is my primary reason for applying.
That said, a PhD isn’t just “chalo kar teh hai”. I’ve only had two weeks of classes so far, and I’m already working 15–16 hours a day, juggling three courses (each demanding about 15 hours of work a week), seven written assignments, a research assistant-ship, and the logistics of setting up a new life in New York. Financial costs remain a long-term concern (though I am stable for now). I am worried about sudden changes throwing all my work to waste. If you’re planning to take the plunge yourself, please don’t assume an easy-going life.
On the positive side though, the PhD structure seems exactly what I was looking for. The classes and assignments have been great, and the syllabus addresses exactly what I was looking for at this stage of my career. The work is also much more well-structured and organized than my earlier, professional life. So far, I’ve been able to plan my work weeks in advance, without worrying about sudden, unplanned disruptions. I’ve kept my weekends completely free (knock on wood), to switch off and do other things. And expensive as it is, New York is a great city to be in. Overall, this is a tough program, but so far, it’s been very rewarding.
I can already see that whatever happens, I will change due to this program, as well as due to being in a different country. My opinions and perspectives will certainly transform, as I absorb new knowledge and develop new perspectives on the world. Some of my career goals may shift, as new opportunities open up, and others close. My personality may change, or grow into new territories. I’m hoping these will be mostly good changes, with few negatives. I’m already wondering how to best hold on to my (extremely valuable) learnings from Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, and Asia, while remaining open to new insights here (more on this some other time).
Wish me luck! I’ll need it :)
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Post Script:
PhD application season began again on September 1st.
In the United States and Canada, universities will be accepting applications for their PhD programs from September to December/January (deadlines will vary per university). Results will come in late Feb/March.
I’ll put up 2–3 blog posts in the coming weeks which may be useful for potential applicants from India, drawing on my own experience last year. These will be entirely dependent on when I’ll be able to write them, so they may take some time.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to apply this year, I’d suggest starting your process now (if you haven’t already). You’ll need the full 3–4 months available, to prepare and send in a good application.
