This is a first for us at Geoscience for the Future- a blog of many blogs! We put out a Twitter call for the stories and pathways of geoscientists who were the first in their family to go to university, and we were amazed at what we received.
These blogs, by scientists from very different backgrounds (from a sheep farm in Wales to a middle-class suburb in Kolkata), all share a common thread- of driving towards a passion no matter what the obstacles may be. We hope they inspire you as much as they have inspired us.
Thank you to all the contributors- if you would like to add your story, get in touch with us at geoscienceforthefuture@gmail.com.
“I belong to the first generation in my family to go to university, and I found my pathway difficult because I graduated in a “men only” career in Peru….my biggest challenge has been to be a single mom and professional at the same time”
“I loved the farm, it was all I knew, but it was never going to sustain us. At school, it was looking like I might get good enough grades to go to University- nobody really knew what that meant, but it sounded like an option that should be taken if available.”
“I grew up in a middle-class neighborhood in suburban Kolkata, India. As an only child, my life was no different than the boy next door; but that was not the story of all the girls in my school. Even as a child, I noticed discrepancies in how some of my girlfriends received much less attention (both financially and emotionally) compared to their brothers.”
“Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances or path through life, do what is right for you and find the people and environment that sets you free. Anyone might change the world for the better. It could be you next, but only if you give it a try.”
“There wasn’t a whole lot to do with my hours, growing up on a 1970s estate on the outskirts of a fishing town. My father spent much of his time working at a local factory and my mother worked part time, so there weren’t many chances for us to go to beaches that were so tantalisingly close – just a few miles away. But on the times we managed to, I revelled in it!”
“I had someone who believed in me and told me what was possible. Despite humble beginnings I was privileged enough to learn valuable lessons about how the system worked. And I was fortunate enough to be in the right place that allowed me to find my passion. All things I took for granted at the time but understand the value of now.”
“We need to do more to discuss the complexities of how one reaches certain jobs in academia; we need to do more to support those from underprivileged backgrounds… I am one of the lucky ones and don’t ever take that for granted.”
Feature photo: by Baim Hanif on Unsplash