To keep progressing, just keep working without worrying about anything.
To keep progressing, just keep working without worrying about anything.
Sabiha Khan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur.
Sabiha did her PhD program and postdoctoral program in transport geography. She is doing major research on traffic incidents.
Sabiha‘s father sadly went to his heavenly abode when she was young. Her uncle, aunt, and grandparents took care of her. They even encouraged her to pursue higher education at a time when women's empowerment was not very prevalent in India. After her marriage, her husband supported her in tough times. She faced many personal challenges, like the health issues of her son and the unemployment of her husband. She also worked overtime in college to manage expenses. She says that with the support of her husband and family, she has come a long way.
According to Sabiha, education and experience are both important. Knowledge regarding how to tackle students' problems comes from work experience.
Sabiha says that anybody who wants to make a career in teaching should be hardworking and dedicated. One must always stay updated and adapt to new students and new circumstances. She also advises being strict or lenient whenever necessary in a situation.
According to Sabiha, leadership is born instinctively. She is the eldest of her siblings. This helped her to inculcate leadership qualities in her life from an early age. Solving problems in life and working with others also help develop leadership experience. Teaching is a profession that requires leadership qualities.
Sabiha shares that she has been a hockey player since her school days. Her team even qualified at the state level. She won two gold medals in hockey. She also loves to devote her time to social work. Her father died in a road accident; hence, her research is dedicated to saving at least forty to fifty percent of lives so that people do not lose their near and dear ones in a road accident.
One of the most challenging situations Sabiha faced in her life was when she had a second pregnancy. She was advised by a doctor to take rest and not keep sitting for long hours. But even in that state, she devoted 12–13 hours to preparing for entrance examinations. If one is determined enough, one can achieve even the things that seem impossible.
On a concluding note, Sabiha asks us to be honest and sincere with ourselves regarding our own work.