I don’t know about you, but almost all the important events that occurred in my life weren’t my first choices. Not even my second. In fact, many were things I once thought I’d never do. These kinds of detours have happened so often that I decided to write a blog post about it.
This isn’t a complaint post, rather a blog to say that its okay. And perhaps a nudge to write again, since it’s been years since I last updated this blog. Given that more than half of my life so far has been devoted to academics, I’ll draw examples from that journey.
At first, I wanted to study computer engineering instead of civil engineering. But, I ended up completing civil engineering, with a specialization in hydropower. I preferred desk work over fieldwork, but after graduation, I found myself traveling far and wide through rural Nepal for work.
Later, for my Master’s, I wanted to pursue a management subject like Construction or Project Management instead of core technical fields like Structural, Geotechnical, or Hydropower Engineering. I ended up completing an M.Eng. in Geotechnical Engineering.
Even now, in my PhD, my supervisor initially offered me a couple of research topics. I stuck with my first choice for the first three months of enrollment, only to end up working on the topic I had the least interest in.
Looking back, the paths I followed were rarely aligned with my initial instincts. My heart may have wanted something else, but events unfolded naturally, and in some cases, I even worked hard for them. Perhaps my instincts were limited by my understanding at the time, because what I ended up doing was not any less rewarding. Each experience has enriched my life. Life, after all, is meant to be a collection of experiences; the more highs and lows you go through, the broader your spectrum becomes.
If I had studied computer engineering, I might have had a completely different life. Who knows how it would’ve turned out? With today’s rise in AI, maybe I’d be working independently from the comfort of home. But again, who knows! It’s just a speculation.
That said, traveling through remote places in Nepal has been one of the best things that ever happened to me. I got to explore so many places, often without spending a dime. That was possible only because I studied civil engineering. While desk jobs offer their own comforts, I realized that fieldwork can be far more enriching. You witness real-world activities and interact with people from diverse backgrounds, and those memories stay with you.
I once applied for a Master’s in Project Management in the UK. I got admission, but not the scholarship. Had things gone differently, I might’ve spent a year in the UK and roamed around Europe. Life after that could have taken a completely different path. But my Master’s in Geotechnical Engineering led me to Thailand, and I’m incredibly grateful for that experience. The teachers, friends, and lifestyle I encountered there are things I’ll always treasure.
Had I gone to the UK, I might not have formed such meaningful connections with the professors as I did in Thailand, and I studied for free. Geotechnical Engineering, despite being highly technical, also carries an artistic depth, and I don’t regret choosing it. It has also provided me opportunity to travel across different nations. No one really knows what’s best until they’ve lived it. And when you ask others for opinions or suggestions, they can respond only based on their personal experience and perspective. How else could they?
Now in my PhD, I’m working on something I didn’t initially appreciate. It’s been a year, and though I recently defended my proposal, there’s still a lot to figure out. But if I’m able to complete it, I’m confident I’ll look back and say it was worth it.
My current research focuses on desiccation cracks in soil, encompassing unsaturated soil mechanics, a far cry from the art-loving person I used to be. But the key is to keep putting in the work. I’m starting to believe that all endeavors are worth pursuing if you give them your best shot.
From now on, I’ve stopped saying, “I won’t do this” or “I’ll never do that.” It seems life keeps handing me the very things I try to avoid. Surprisingly, those experiences have been the most enriching of all.
It’s really just a matter of choosing between a mango and an apple. All mangoes and apples differ in taste. A lusciously sweet mango might be better than a bland, spongy apple, but a crisp, juicy apple might far outweigh an overripe, slimy mango. So when life gives you a mango or an apple, both are great in their own way.
To conclude, every choice has its consequences. The key is learning to make the best of them and accepting them.
Keep writing sir, you have always inspired us through your blog!🙃
Thank you so much. 🙂