Brand strategy to brain science

My career began with a psychology degree and an ambition to excel in Singapore’s corporate world. With an MBA in hand, I took my career global, living across China, Germany, Australia and the Netherlands. Despite the accolades and achievements, I often felt like a square peg in a round hole. The corporate success I had imagined didn’t bring the intrinsic satisfaction I craved.

The turning point came with a profound personal loss of my father to a chronic illness. His passing brought into sharp focus the fragility of life and my own quest for deeper meaning. It prompted me to rethink my purpose. I pivoted towards healthcare as I realised this is where I can make a real difference in people’s lives.

This realisation led me to the IoPPN, where I pursued a master’s degree in psychology and neuroscience of mental health. Here, I discovered a community that embraced diversity, collaboration and personal growth. It was a place where I truly belonged and where I could delve into the intricate interplay between mental and physical health.

I returned for a second master’s degree specialising in health psychology. Now, as a trainee health psychologist and PhD student, my work at the IoPPN centers on developing innovative psychotherapeutics for chronic medical conditions, funded by the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre. My project, titled ‘iADJUST’ and supervised by Professor Joseph Chilcot, Dr Joanna Hudson and Professor Sharlene Greenwood, is investigating the relationship between mental health and clinical outcomes in chronic kidney disease, while developing and testing a novel digital psychological intervention for the NHS. My ultimate goal is to minimise health inequalities and the risk of premature mortality.

Looking back, I see my journey as a jigsaw puzzle with each piece bringing me closer to a complete picture. To anyone at a career crossroads, my advice is this: follow a path that resonates with your true self and provides a sense of purpose. Embrace change, don’t fear starting anew, and trust that life’s puzzle will eventually fit together in its own time, revealing a meaningful picture.

Pooja shares her journey at her Health Psychology MSc graduation ceremony in January 2024