In BITS, I did a course on topology. Though I liked it a lot, I didn’t explore it then. It was actually in spring 2020, that I was doing a course on algebra & topology that I realized I am really interested in this. I kept thinking about some problems in this area outside of my work. I enjoy thinking about shapes and structures. I also liked the people in this field in my University. They're very close and they talk a lot about their research in a very supportive manner. And that is something that I look for in a research group. These things are important to me in addition to the fact that I'd like the field itself. In BITS, I also did courses in abstract algebra. I liked it a lot and I actually was going more towards algebra and geometry. But I did my thesis in algebra geometry in Canada, and that's when I realized that while I do like this subject, it's a little too intense sometimes.

I really love the idea of doing research. I enjoy learning and thinking about mathematics. But I am not sure I will stick to it for the rest of my life. I love it enough to do my PhD. I am interested in computer science and Machine Learning and all that cool stuff also. While I do love mathematics, to be honest, I'm interested in a lot of things from biology to psychology, neuroscience to physics to economics. Since maths is integral to all these fields, doing a math PhD. might help me go in any of these fields. And if I do go into these fields, I would want to go into the mathematical side of these fields, not into the experimental side, as I enjoy thinking about things abstractly. I enjoy those kinds of things. It's not gonna be an easy transition but it is a transition that can happen. So it's keeping my options open. For example, the Human Genome Project is an amazing thing that has happened recently in biology and Eric Lander, a math Ph.D., has been one of the driving forces behind it. Just because you're choosing something for your Ph.D., doesn't mean that that's what you're gonna do for the rest of your life.

I feel one of the reasons that I was able to go through BITS with a passion for maths was because I had two, three people who also liked maths. If I was completely alone I'm not sure how much I would have been able to do. One of my best friends in BITS was Shreya and she is also currently doing a math Ph.D. Both of us were in the same classes and it really helps to have a buddy like that, This is a tip I would give to like everyone- have at least one person (if you can) who is like your study friend like studying for exams together, talking about career options together. Having such friends gives you such a different perspective. That one person is there to support you and get what's happening with you.

I'm passionate about research because I want to do something new. I want to do something which pushes the boundary of human knowledge, which adds something new to the world, which I can be proud of. It might just be one paper, one idea, which only five people read, and maybe one of those five people have a better paper and it snowballs into something. The idea is at least I have the satisfaction that I did something new or I did something a little impactful when I go in the morning to my job.

I got this internship through a professor in BITS. I had done well in his courses. I used to talk to him about my interests, and he introduced me to this professor at ISI Kolkata, who luckily was interested in working with me. Talking to professors really helps, because if they know you're looking for such things, they have collaborators, they know people and they can get you in touch with those people. Networking isn’t only for the industry.

Yes, that's the reason I did my PS2. I did sit for placement and I got a lucrative job. And my mother told me “If I were in your place, I would go for the job.” And while I understand her perspective, that’s not me. I didn’t want to settle for a boring, stable job yet. I had talked to people in that job and they said that two, three years down the line, they're all bored with their job. The job was great, but not very exciting, not a lot of growth. They're all looking for something different. So then I thought it's a two-three year-long job and what after that? I would probably want to do a Ph.D. but then it would be harder for me to transition and commit to it.

Even though I wasn’t completely sure of what field I’d wanna pursue, I was very sure I wanted to do research. So I feel I needed a Ph.D. in my life at some point. Another reason that factored into this decision process was that I had found programs in which you have the option of mastering out. So, in case at any point in time, I feel that Ph.D. wasn’t for me, I can opt out with a Masters Degree. Not all programs have this option though. Also, mathematics masters isn’t as useful on it’s own. This made the decision easy for me.

While I think this is a personal decision, I think my twenties is the best time for me to do it because that is a time I do not have other responsibilities in life. I felt if I don't do it now, I won't do it. From what I understand, the older you get, doing new math, doing a Ph.D. in math does become harder. You need to have that drive and that motivation. Ph.D. is a lot of work and a lot of stress so you need to really want it. And if you have other stress in life, it’s hard to manage it all.

First of all, it's a five-six-year commitment. That's pretty scary. For when you're in your 20ies, you want your freedom. The other thing I would say is, kind of a little personal thing, but like you have to cook for yourself everyday. xD

Your PhDs are funded. xD It's not like you have a loan but on the other hand, you might not have money to spare. You’re independent that way. And also, it's like a lot of independence in terms of what approach you want to adopt during your research and you can work on your own terms.

In the beginning, it's hard. I did question myself a lot. But then talking to people in research made me realise that it's okay to question. Because if you are questioning, there's something that's making you unhappy, right? And once you figure out what it is, maybe there's a way you can change that. If you don't question, you won't find that thing that you can change. Questioning is just an indicator of how life and things are not perfect. You feel that another option might be better because something about this option isn’t perfect. And that's all it is. Since PhD is hard, questioning helped me find ways to make it better for me. There are times when I question whether I am good enough, but having supportive and encouraging friends and professors helps me get through those days. Knowing that everyone questions themselves helps. Another thing that helps me is that unless I actually try to do it, I will not know whether I can or cannot.

One thing that keeps me coming back to my research is just how much I love being in class. I look forward to my classes, even if it's at 8 a.m. even though it's like two degrees outside, and I hate getting up, I am there. Once I'm in the class, it's amazing. Like I love that feeling of being in class and learning new things, that's what keeps me going. Learning new and exciting mathematics.

Things are gonna be tough. Don't be afraid of that. That is just how the journey is like, Take it head-on. If you're not afraid of things and not expecting them to be easy, it just becomes slightly less difficult. Also, take care of yourself and your mental health. Don’t be afraid to do things your way. Find what works for you.