Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Graduate School
When I began my Master’s in Water and Environmental Engineering, I was carrying not only academic ambition but also the hopes of my community and the challenge of navigating unfamiliar systems.
Now, as I approach graduation, with the invaluable experience of working with the World Bank even before completing my degree, there are a few things I wish I had known from the start:
1. It is okay to not have all the answers.
In the beginning, I thought I needed to know my thesis topic, career trajectory, and development specialization by the first semester. But graduate school is a process of evolving. Questions are as valuable as answers, and it is in exploring the unknown that real growth happens.
2. Burnout is real, and rest is resistance.
Balancing assignments, deadlines, and career-building, especially in a new country, can be overwhelming. I have learned the importance of listening to my body and prioritizing mental health. Finding moments of peace in nature, reaching out to peer networks, or simply breathing between deadlines has been essential.
3. Learning goes beyond the classroom.
Some of the most transformative parts of my journey have happened through opportunities I found outside the official curriculum, like UniPID’s development courses or organizing Finland’s largest development research conference, DevDays2025. If your program lacks something, do not be afraid to look outward. There is a world of knowledge waiting for you.
4. Your identity is not an obstacle; it is your strength.
As a Quechua Indigenous woman from the Andes, I got into grad school wondering if my perspective would "fit" in technical spaces. I have since learned that my background offers vital insights, especially when it comes to development work, climate justice, and equity. My lived experience is not something to overcome; it is a contribution that challenges norms and enriches every discussion I am part of.
5. You belong, even when it does not feel like it.
Imposter syndrome is common, especially for first-generation, underrepresented, or international students. But every time I have shared my voice, I have been reminded that I belong here, not despite my background, but because of it.
If you are just starting grad school, or even just considering it, my message is this: You do not need to wait until you feel “ready” or “perfect.” Come as you are. Bring your questions, your passions, your doubts. Your story has a place in academia, and your voice matters more than you think.
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Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Graduate School
When I began my Master’s in Water and Environmental Engineering, I was carrying not only academic ambition but also the hopes of my community and the challenge of navigating unfamiliar systems. Now, as I approach graduation, with the invaluable experience of working with the World Bank even before completing my degree, there are a few things I wish I had known from the start: