This is just another rambling post about my dissertation project. I’ve been thinking a lot about a question that often comes up when friends ask me why I chose to take on a product and design project, even though I only have two years for my master’s degree. Many people, including lecturers, suggest that this kind of project would be more suitable for a doctoral degree.
But what if I never get the chance to pursue a PhD?
What if we didn’t limit our passions to what seems “appropriate” or “realistic”?
Maybe this is my only shot to do something that truly excites me, something that feels bigger than just a degree requirement. I know it’s ambitious, and maybe even a little reckless. But isn’t that what passion sometimes looks like? Unreasonable, inconvenient, and yet undeniably worth it. I’d rather take the risk now than spend years wondering what if. If the door to a doctoral degree never opens, at least I’ll know I gave my all to a project I believe in, right here, right now.
In the end, it’s not about titles or timelines, it’s about purpose. I’m learning that passion doesn’t always wait for the “right” moment or fit into convenient boxes. Sometimes, it demands to be pursued now, even if it scares us. So maybe this path I’ve chosen isn’t traditional. Maybe it’s not what most people would advise. But it’s mine. And that makes all the difference.
There’s a quiet kind of courage in choosing the unconventional. Not everyone will understand, and that’s okay. I’m not doing this to prove anything to anyone but myself. This journey isn’t just about the final product, it’s about the process, the late nights, the doubts, the breakthroughs, and everything in between. It’s about discovering who I am when I step outside the safety of what’s expected.
Though the journey often feels lonely and daunting, all I ask is a gentle pat on the back and a sincere hand to hold. Let’s set aside the urge to compete. Let’s set aside the belief that product and design research is a dead end or just another simple prototype with no lasting impact. I’m not doing this for prestige or recognition, I’m doing this because I genuinely want to help vocational teachers develop meaningful English for Specific Purposes (ESP) learning materials. That, to me, is reason enough.