Today’s blog is from Jenny Waymont, who recently completed her PhD and is now working with Brain Health Scotland. You may recognise Jenny from previous blogs, and she was also featured as an ECR in the SDRC Annual Report 2020. Jenny shares insights about her career journey so far and lessons learned from challenging situations.
Everything Is Terrible, But Maybe That’s Not A Bad Thing?
Towards the end of my BSc, my mental health declined due to poorly managed cPTSD, depression, and anxiety. During my MSc, I sustained a mild head injury that affected my concentration, memory, and speech for about six months. Despite these challenges, I completed my MSc, and later my PhD, even amid significant personal and global upheavals such as Brexit and the pandemic. I believed I had the resilience to succeed, but the reality was more complex, involving navigating socio-political crises and social isolation.
This isn’t a plea for sympathy. Despite everything, I see these experiences as character-building. They’ve taught me what I can survive and how to thrive. I’ve been fortunate to develop resilience through therapy and supportive circumstances, which helped me manage the pandemic experience relatively well.
However, finishing my PhD during a pandemic was still challenging. I couldn’t celebrate in traditional ways, and the period between finishing and securing a postdoc was stressful. I applied for numerous roles, ranging from those I was passionate about but underqualified for, to overqualified roles that didn’t excite me. Eventually, I applied for a research officer role with Brain Health Scotland, which aligned with my interests in clinical research and brain health. Since joining in December, I’ve faced new challenges and made tangible progress, turning initial setbacks into opportunities.
I often downplay my struggles, but my academic journey—earning a 2.1, distinctions, and passing my viva—was tough and painful at times. I believe that meaningful achievements require hard work, which includes taking care of oneself and recognizing personal limits. Despite the difficulties of 2020, it was also a year of growth and resilience. Perhaps, despite everything, we’re learning to find light in dark places.
The excerpt from the SDRC Annual Report 2021/22 by Dr. Mario Parra Rodriguez provides an overview of research in brain health informatics and technology. The SDRC is Scotland’s largest network dedicated to dementia and brain health research, fostering collaboration and community growth.
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