Vector

Visa delays. COVID lockdowns. Full-time work. Motherhood. And today, I can finally say: I completed my PhD. In 2019, I made the decision to pursue a PhD and expand my knowledge beyond what I thought was possible. New Zealand felt like the right place for this journey, especially since my partner was already here. I was excited, hopeful, and ready to begin a new chapter. But life had other plans. What I expected to be a straightforward transition turned into years of uncertainty. First came visa delays. Then, just as I was ready to travel, the world shut down. Like so many others, my plan and dreams were suddenly paused by COVID-19. It wasn’t until March 2021 that I finally arrived in New Zealand and officially began my PhD journey onshore. The years between 2019 and 2021 tested me in ways I never expected. They demanded patience, resilience, and perseverance. And just when I thought things might stabilise, New Zealand entered another lockdown. During this period, I often felt like I was falling behind professionally while watching peers move ahead. The uncertainty and isolation at times felt overwhelming. During this time, I was incredibly fortunate to have the support of my supervisors Tek Lie , Weihua LI and Shafiqur Rahman Tito . Their guidance went far beyond academics especially Prof. Tek Lie who supported me through research challenges, administrative hurdles, and the many unexpected complexities of life along the way. Their patience and belief in my work made a profound difference in helping me continue when things felt uncertain. To regain balance, I made another decision: I would rebuild my career while continuing my PhD. I began working full-time at Vector Limited alongside my research, navigating deadlines, responsibilities, and the constant pressure of trying to keep everything moving forward. Then life changed again and I became pregnant ❤️ That was the moment everything became very real. I knew I wanted to be fully present for my daughter, without the weight of unfinished research constantly in the background. It became a do or die situation. There were sleepless nights, self-doubt, exhaustion, and many moments where quitting would have been easier. But there was also growth, strength and discipline. And a version of myself I only discovered because this journey pushed me to my limits. And then came a moment I will never forget — submitting my PhD thesis while my newborn slept in my lap. Looking back now, I realise this journey was never just about research or a degree. It was about resilience. It was about continuing even when life refused to follow a plan. And it was about learning that progress is still progress even when the timeline looks nothing like you expected. If you are in a delayed, uncertain, or difficult season right now, keep going. Sometimes the longest journeys shape us the most. DM me if you need a novel load forecasting model - shaping the new era of energy #PhDJourney #WorkingMum #Resilience