Tuesday 11-11-2025 - 21:29

Dr Amanda Anderson – PhD focus, Faith-based Environmental and Sustainability Education  (FB-ESE) -  DTA Futures Society 2021-2024 

 

The Holy Grail symbolizes the quest for ultimate fulfilment, —a theme Amanda explored in her previous blog post, The Promised Land of PhD-thesis Submission, written shortly after submitting her thesis on faith-based Environmental and Sustainability Education (FB-ESE). In that moment, she was grappling with the familiar uncertainty and fear that many PhD researchers experience as they face the unknowns of post-PhD life and job prospects. 

Now, six months on—on the eve of the graduation ceremony, having secured a temporary role as a Senior Lecturer—Amanda shares a powerful reflection that could be helpful for others grappling with this stage after completing their PhD.  The Holy Grail is less about achieving a specific goal or outcome, and more about the transformation that unfolds through the journey itself. 

For any PhD researchers approaching the final stages of their doctorate and feeling uncertain about what comes next, Amanda’s blog offers not just perspective—but hope. 

 

As a follow up to my previous blog, The Promised Land of PhD-thesis Submission, and with hindsight I thought another short blog for everyone navigating the highs and lows of the PhD journey will be fitting and perhaps helpful.  On the eve of my graduation, I look back with gratitude on the PhD journey to appreciate and honour the ups and downs that made the steps within, as winding as they might have been I graduate tomorrow from my University with my PhD and I secured a job within four months of submitting my thesis. Although it was a short-term contract typical of the current academic job-climate, I realise that the meaning is found in the journey and not the destination; that the “Holy Grail” becomes less about an object or outcome and more about the transformation that occurs in pursuit of it: the lessons learned, the connections formed, and the growth along the way.  

I am excited for my graduation, the robe and funny floppy hat; goodness knows how many times I dreamed of this day, during the arduous journey, and how many times along the way I couldn’t see it happening.  Graduation was the result of perseverance during challenging times. Times, that you can be facing right now.  However, my actions—choosing to push forward, pausing briefly for rest or support when required, and showing up—made achieving this milestone possible.  At times showing up and ploughing along a step at a time is as important as the momentous days when we sit to write and words flow along.   

Reflecting on my PhD experience, I recognise how each aspect contributed to the overall process. Both positive and negative moments played an important role, and all individuals involved—supervisors, other postgraduate research contacts, family, and friends—contributed in various ways. Their support assisted me throughout the journey prior to submitting my thesis, and in my job hunt. Reflecting on this, I acknowledge the input of everyone who participated. Life after earning a PhD presents both challenges and opportunities; for instance, the thesis weight lifts off once it is submitted, but new challenges arise as they do in life. The post-PhD phase offers a range of experiences that include rough patches. On the momentous occasion of graduation, I look back and honour all those moments and people that characterised my journey – with gratitude.  This graduation is as much for me, as it is for all those around me. 

The fog of uncertainty and the fear of not finding a job that enveloped me after submitting my PhD thesis gradually began to lift when I secured my first role albeit short-term role as a Senior Lecturer at the ARU School of Education. Although it's not the ideal permanent post that most of us are after, the position has been both rewarding and fulfilling, giving me the opportunity to share the knowledge I gained during my doctoral journey.  And it has given me the opportunity to learn about what could be possible and what my PhD journey can lead to – thus another dream.  The current job-climate may appear difficult, but my experience shows that it is still possible to carve your way through and that it’s always worthwhile to dream.